Greg McDermott to Lead Cyclone Men's Basketball Program

AMES, Iowa -- Greg McDermott, who elevated the University of Northern Iowa program to unprecedented success, including three consecutive NCAA Tournament bids, has been named Iowa State University's 18th men's basketball coach. Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday night in Hilton Coliseum.

"For the last four days, I've been single-minded in identifying and recruiting a coach who can inspire passion, teach the game of basketball, sell a program to recruits and fans, educate his student-athletes tirelessly, connect with Iowans and build a total program that rivals anyone in the Big 12 Conference and the nation," Pollard said. "I found that man within the borders of our state and I couldn't be more pleased to introduce Greg McDermott as our new coach."

McDermott's meteoric rise in the head coaching ranks occurred in his five seasons as the head coach at his alma mater (2002-06). After taking over a program that had not posted a winning season since 1997, McDermott's recipe for success launched the UNI program into the national spotlight. In his third season (2004) with the Panthers, McDermott led UNI to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and its second NCAA Tournament appearance in school history while recording a 21-10 mark.

"In Greg McDermott, we have one of the most successful young coaches in the nation," ISU president Dr. Gregory Geoffroy said. "He has proven that he can build a strong program and be successful in a very competitive conference. We are extremely pleased that he has accepted our invitation to become the new head coach of the Cyclone men's basketball program, and we are very excited about the future of the program under his leadership."

The Cascade, Iowa, native backed up UNI's 2004 season with yet another NCAA Tournament bid in 2005, this time earning the Panthers' first ever at-large berth with a No. 11 seed. The Panthers tallied a 21-11 record and took No. 6 seed Wisconsin to the wire, falling 57-52. The 2006 UNI season was just as successful, as McDermott led the Panthers to their first-ever Associated Press top 25 ranking while tying a school record with 23 wins. UNI defeated five NCAA Tournament teams (Iowa, LSU, Wichita State, Southern Illinois and Bucknell) en route to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with a No. 10 seed, the highest seed in school history. One of his star players was Ben Jacobson, who was McDermott's first recruiting prize when he took over head coaching duties. Jacobson, who finished his career as the third-leading scorer in school history, was UNI's first preseason Wooden Award nominee and an NABC all-district pick. Jacobson and Grant Stout were both named first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference in 2006.

"It's simply a dream come true to have the opportunity to assume the reins of a program that has the reputation and resources of Iowa State University," McDermott said. "Staying in this state - close to family and friends- was a bonus. I'm humbled, to say the least, about the faith that Dr. Geoffroy and Jamie Pollard have shown in me."

The 41-year-old McDermott compiled a 90-63 record at UNI and has a 221-127 career mark. McDermott, with his Midwest roots and ties, has proven to be a top-notch recruiter and a sound tactician. He coached 18 players who earned some sort of conference award in his five years at UNI. McDermott received his first head coaching job at Wayne State (Neb.) from 1995-2000. He led the Wildcats to four-straight 20-win seasons, one Northern Sun Conference title and a pair of NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen berth in 2000. He won 116 games in his six years with the Wildcats while earning conference coach of the year honors in 2000.

He left Wayne State to take over the coaching duties at Division II North Dakota State for one season (2000-01) before heading to Cedar Falls. The Bison finished 15-11 overall and defeated three top 25 opponents on the road in 2001.

McDermott began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of North Dakota from 1989-94. During his tenure, the Fighting Sioux made five consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, were ranked No. 1 in the final 1991 NCAA poll, earned two North Central Conference and a pair of North Central Region Championships and compiled a 126-37 record.

A fourth-team all-state center for Cascade High School in 1983, McDermott accepted UNI head coach Jim Berry's scholarship offer to play for the Panthers. He played three seasons for Berry and two years for Eldon Miller at UNI, recording 1,033 career points to rank on UNI's top 25 scoring chart. As a junior, he ranked 16th nationally in field goal percentage (58.7 percent) and shot 60.3 percent from the field as a senior. The 6-8, center was named second-team all-conference as a junior and was a team co-captain as a senior. He received his B.A. degree from Northern Iowa in 1988.

McDermott was born Nov. 25, 1964. He and his wife, Theresa, have three children: Nick (16), Doug (14) and Sydney (5).