We’re looking to make Cyclone basketball the center of the state, the Midwest and the NCAA.

Other than the Anthony Davis piece, I don’t think (Iowa State) did anything wrong. But the fact that we’re associated with something that certainly has the appearance that is less than desirable … that’s a...

We feel we made a great offer.

I called Greg to see if we could talk on Sunday. We agreed to do it at a home of a mutual friend in Iowa City.

We’re extremely disappointed that our institution has been cast in a negative light as a result of our men’s basketball scheduling practices the past three years. I honestly believe that Iowa State University did not...

I am honored to have been chosen as the next director of athletics at Iowa State University. Iowa State’s athletic program has a rich tradition, a solid foundation and tremendous potential for growth and even...

We look forward to providing our great fans a scoreboard that actually has the score on it.

I can assure you I did not take this decision lightly.

All I will say is that something could happen quickly.

Right now, his contract is probably 10th or 11th in the Big 12 Conference. We’re not asking him to be 10th or 11th in the Big 12, so there are some things we have to...

Greg McDermott is a rising star in the profession. He’s absolutely committed to bringing Hilton Magic back to this building.

He believes in this program in a way that’s way off the charts. His last move was to put the Cyclone team first and foremost.

I wanted an individual who had a sincere passion for being the next Cyclone men’s basketball coach. One coach emerged as the clear cut favorite . . . (and that’s) Greg McDermott.

I’ve requested that Bill Smith oversee the transition and wrap his hands around the program. He’s already had several conversations with current players and recruits.

It was hard. He’s an outstanding coach, and he’s going to have many outstanding opportunities ahead of him. I just feel coach McDermott was a better fit for Iowa State.

We immediately felt the warmth and pride of this community. [I] felt even stronger that if I was given the opportunity by Dr. Geoffroy that it’d be one I felt was the right place and...

President Geoffroy is committed to having a first-class, highly successful athletic program, as I am. But we also have a fan base that clearly supports that goal and wants us to do what is necessary...

I just feel coach McDermott was a better fit for Iowa State.

We’ll have a big discussion about it. And my guess is there will be other discussions around the country after you write your story.

Greg was still in Chicago after interviewing for the Kansas State job. We chatted a few minutes, then I told him that he was the guy to lead us in the future.

We need basketball to be a marquee program. We need to get the right person for Iowa State, and that is not just about money.

Any bonuses he earns becomes part of the next year’s guaranteed base compensation. When we win, he wins. It’s a win-win deal all around.

The fact that we didn’t make the NCAA Tournament or the NIT contributed to the decision, but I want to emphasize it’s clearly not the only reason we’re making the decision.

To cement the legacy of coach Douglas, I’m pleased to announce publicly the creation of the Bobby Douglas Endowed Scholarship. One Cyclone wrestler will receive his scholarship aid under the name of Bobby Douglas forever....

I can assure you that I didn’t take this decision lightly.

As a competitor, he is unmatched. I know he’ll bring the same level of enthusiasm, dedication and focus to the head coaching position. He is the ultimate winner and young wrestlers around the nation will...

We’re making a change in the leadership of the men’s basketball program effective immediately.

To me, this was really a decision about a head coach, a mentor and his pupil and our strong desire that we would do everything possible to make sure that vision happened.

Bill said I was going to end up with cauliflower ear from talking on the phone so much. That was all right ? as long as we got the coach we wanted.

Although the events of this week concerning basketball scheduling is not the reason we are making this change, the timing of that situation and the negative national publicity that Iowa State has received as a...

We need a coach who can put a product onto the floor that our fans can truly believe in.

I think that’s the most reasonable approach when discussing all our programs.

It came down to giving a guy from Iowa a chance to prove that his formula works at the big-time level. What’s important to me is that we build this overall athletic program the right...

We want kids that want to be here. If they choose that they want to be at another place, then that’s better for them, and that’s better for us. We made the decision a long...

I hope not. I would anticipate that we’re in. We’re one of the top 100 best teams in the country.

It was more convenient. We could watch the women’s game, then go back into the office and work when we needed to. Mac and I agreed to talk again at 9:30 ? after the game.

I made a personal commitment to myself that when the opportunity came it would need to be at the right place and the right time. The job is just too demanding to want to be...

We had to be a little creative in order to be competitive.

Bo was asleep when we got there, but his wife had (Bud Light) and crackers ready for us. There weren’t a lot of what people would consider to be wholesome meals during the search.

We want to play in the NIT. We don’t want to see our season end the way it did. We need to give the kids a chance to show they’re better than they were (Thursday).