Should Fred Hoiberg Bolt for the NBA?

After Tom Thibodeau was fired by Chicago earlier this week, Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg was immediately linked to the job.

Hoiberg played in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. He was in Chicago from 1999 to 2003.

Now Hoiberg is coaching at Iowa State, where he has been there for five years. He has a 171-115 record. For the Cyclones, he's made the NCAA tournament four times and has won the Big 12 conference tournament the last two years. He has nabbed a lot of quality recruits, like Royce White. The only thing he hasn't done is get Iowa State deep into the NCAA tournament.

So should Hoiberg stay at Iowa State or head to the NBA?

If he were to stay in Ames, it would probably because he has unfinished business at Iowa State. Hoiberg grew up in Ames and played for the Cyclones. Perhaps by staying it would show he wants to help Iowa State go deeper in the NCAA tournament.

But the NBA is a big opportunity. There's a report from the Ames Tribune, that in April, Hoiberg told Kansas recruit, Chuck Diallo that he wasn't sure about his future at Iowa State. I'm not sure what that means, but it says that Hoiberg has always thought about coaching in the NBA.

He played for the Bulls and it probably is his best chance to coach in the NBA. His other would be in Minnesota, but that wouldn't happen for a year or two.

Hoiberg has also had successful heart surgery. Staying close to home in Ames might be the best choice.

He's accomplished a lot in Ames. Hoiberg has made Iowa State relevant again in college basketball. It will be a tough decision for him and his family if Chicago pursues him.

I know Sioux Falls, though, would love to see Hoiberg coach Iowa State against Colorado next fall at the Pentagon.