If Iowa State opens, think Eustachy

By the end of today, Dana Altman will be introduced as Oregon’s new coach, Creighton may name Iowa State’s Greg McDermott as Altman’s replacement, and the Cyclones would be in the market.

If the vacancy occurs in Ames and the school goes outside the program for a replacement, it should look to its past for the impact hire.

Larry Eustachy.

That’s right, party-on Larry, who just wrapped up his sixth season at Southern Mississippi and oversaw perhaps the greatest two seasons in Cyclones’ hoops history a decade ago.

Drinking led to self-destructive behavior _ go ahead and look, the photos are locked into cyberspace _ which led to his downfall.

Two years ago this week, I spent some time at an elementary school with Eustachy and was struck by two things. First, the sophistication of the questions from kids ages 10-12 on the perils of drinking.

Also, how much Eustachy had changed. Sure, it was after a season and he was about to speak to kids. But I’d seen him in other off-seasons and he was a person who never seemed comfortable with where he was or what he was doing.

He told the kids that his confidence was alcohol-fueled, which made it phony. Eustachy was five years into his sobriety then.

Eustachy has posted winning seasons in three of his last four years in Hattiesburg, no easy task. His are the only teams to have beaten Kansas five straight times in the Big 12 era. No other league program has won more than two straight. I know he'd love to return to the Big 12.

I don’t know the current administration or the Iowa State fans would feel about Eustachy. Maybe it’s a non-starter. I think it’s a second chance worth exploring.