Thomas John Otzelberger has been one of the more recent entrants in the role of head coach in NCAA Division I college basketball. He has been performing the role of the head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones since the 2021/22 season. Prior to this, he served as the head coach of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.
Born on September 17, 1977, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, T.J. Otzelberger played varsity basketball in his school Thomas More High School, in Wisconsin, United States. There, he played college basketball for the Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks as team captain for two years.
After his playing career, he started his career as a coach and served mainly as an assistant coach for the first few years of his career. He eventually started as the head coach of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and coached them from 2016 to 2019. Then he served as the head coach for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels from 2019-2021 and finally took up the head coach role for the Iowa State Cyclones in 2021.
Otzelberger has already tasted success as a head coach in his career so far. He won the Summit League Tournament Championship twice in 2017 and 2018. He was also the Summit League Coach of the Year in 2018. Recently, he became the Big 12 Tournament Champion in 2024.
Who are T.J. Otzelberger’s Parents?
T.J.Otzelberger is the son of the Thomas L. Otzelberger and Jackie A. Otzelberger.
Who is T.J. Otzelberger’s Mother?
Jackie A. Otzelberger is the mother of T.J. Otzelberger. Unfortunately, further information about her life and career is not available in the public domain as of March 2024.
Who is T.J. Otzelberger’s Father?
Thomas L. Otzelberger, also known as Tom Otzelberger is the father of T.J. Otzelberger. He is a former college baseball player for the Milwaukee Panthers. He coached several of his son’s teams and always tried to make his son tough by pitching hard ground balls at his ankles (via Athletic).
Talking about his father, T.J. Otzelberger revealed (via theathletic.com) that he was a sports-loving father, who encouraged his son to play baseball. However, when T. J. Otzelberger decided to become a basketball player, his father tried to change his mind by stating that he was not good at jumping and scoring and he would fail at the game.
However, he challenged his father that he would be good at the game and eventually started training himself in basketball by starting his own basketball program and recruiting high school basketball players when he was 15 years old.
Who are T.J. Otzelberger’s Siblings
There is no information available about T.J. Otzelberger having any siblings, as of March 2024.
Who is T.J. Otzelberger’s Wife
Alison Lacey Otzelberger is the wife of T.J. Otzelberger. She is a former WNBA women’s basketball player notable for playing with the Seattle Storm and becoming the WNBA Champions in 2010.
She has also played for The University of Canberra Capitals in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia. Prior to WNBA, she also played women’s college basketball for the Iowa State Cyclones. She has also served as the head coach for the Marshalltown Community College women’s basketball team from 2012-2013.
T.J. Otzelberger and Alison Lacey Otzelberger first met each other at Iowa State University while she was ending her college career. They met each other through former basketball player Craig Brackins who was also a college basketball player at Iowa State.
They kept in touch during her WNBA career and finally went out on their first date one Friday evening. They also visited Lacey’s parents in Australia. Eventually, T.J. Otzelberger proposed to her near a lake in a residential development in Australia and she accepted. The couple finally became husband and wife on June 1, 2013. Talking about her husband, Alison Lacey Otzelberger has stated (via theathletic.com) that Otzelberger likes to prove others wrong about him.
Does T.J. Otzelberger have kids?
T.J. Otzelberger and Alison Lacey Otzelberger have three children together. Their first children are twins, a boy and a girl born on December 1, 2014. Named Jayce Otzelberger and Olivia Otzelberger, the twins are nine years old as of March 2024. The couple’s third child, a daughter, was born on March 19, 2018. Named Stella Otzelberger, she is six years old as of March 2024.
FAQ's On T.J. Otzelberger Family
A. T.J. Otzelberger is 46 years old and his wife Alison Lacey Otzelberger is 36 years old as of March 2024.
A. Alison Lacey Otzelberger represented the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.
A. Alison Lacey Otzelberger won the WNBA Championship in 2010.
A. Jayce Otzelberger, Olivia Otzelberger and Stella Otzelberger are the three children of T.J. Otzelberger and Alison Lacey Otzelberger.
A. T.J. Otzelberger won the Big 12 Tournament in 2014.
