Iowa State reportedly ‘nickel-and-dimed’ Fred Hoiberg and Cyclone basketball

It has always been assumed that new Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was headed to the NBA eventually, but according to a new Ames Tribune report, Iowa State did its best to push him there. Quoting anonymous sources, the newspaper says the administration “nickel-and-dimed” Hoiberg and the team, including once forcing them to sleep on luggage in a hotel ballroom because they didn’t want to pay for rooms.

Specifically, there were reportedly issues with athletic director Jamie Pollard.

“You had to step over people in there,” another source said.

The issues rose to a verbal confrontation in the Hoiberg home ahead of the 2014 NCAA tournament. Following the tournament selection show, then-ISU assistant and current Southern Miss head coach Doc Sadler confronted Pollard and associate athletic director David Harris about the university’s policy of charging the ISU staff’s families for transportation to San Antonio, ISU’s opening-round site, sources said.

The story goes on to quote on source who said they believe Pollard was not upset to see Hoiberg leave, even though the coach was loved by the fan base and had overseen the best years in Iowa State basketball history.

Pollard is 10 years into his job as Iowa State’s athletic director, but he’s had some problems in the past few seasons. He gave football coach Paul Rhoads a 10-year contract extension in 2011, but Rhoads has gone 11-26 in the three full seasons since.

Pollard has had disciplinary issues, as well. He was fined $25,000 by the Big 12 for insinuating that there was some sort of conspiracy by Big 12 refs against Iowa State. He also got ejected from a high school basketball game for yelling at officials.

This certainly won’t endear Pollard to any more fans, and SB Nation’s Iowa State site, Wide Right & Natty Lite, is already frustrated:

Update: Pollard and Hoiberg have both responded.