T.J. Otzelberger Explains Why He Wears Tight Polos
T.J. Otzelberger has become one of the hottest names in college basketball as he’s turned the Iowa State Cyclones into a powerhouse over his first three seasons in charge.
Otzelberger’s second-seeded Cyclones (29-7) are set for a Sweet Sixteen matchup against No. 3 Illinois (28-8) on Thursday night, and he’ll be visible, front and center, in one of his classic “schmedium” polos.
While the rest of the coaches left in the 16-team field might be seen in suits, pullovers, or quarterzips, Otzelberger has been rocking the nearly skin-tight collared short-sleeve shirt.
Otzelberger, who admits he looks more like a wrestler than a former basketball player, says that the shirt progressively got smaller, until it was the right fit.
“We started at a bigger size,” he told media, hinting that he’d gone through many options until they found what was just right.
So, why does he wear tight shirts? Well, it’s not for looks.
“It can become challenging, because I’ve got short arms,” Otzelberger said. “So if you wear this size polo, the arms are long and hanging down past your elbows. If you wear this polo, it looks smaller.”
Otzelberger says wearing the tight-fitting shirt “gives [him] a greater sense of self-discipline each day.”
“That I wear that size and opt for that, it helps me stay as disciplined and accountable as I need to be to our program, wearing that shirt,” he said.
