Chronicle Editorial

Celebrating our dads
 
     Dads across the country will be honored this Sunday on Father’s Day. The annual holiday gives us a chance to celebrate dad the right way and thank him for his years of dedicated parenting.
     Our dads are all special in their own unique ways. They’ve watched us grow up from diaper-wearing toddlers to functioning adults, and their guidance and understanding leave an immeasurable impact on us over the years. Whether it was teaching us how to drive a stick shift, tossing the pigskin or helping us through a tough time, fathers leave an impression on us in some way or another. Life’s lessons are typically subtle and brief, yet profound. Our dads are often responsible for teaching us that over the course of our lives.
     Take time to honor your dad this weekend. Whether you grill out, go fishing or get together with other family members, make sure he knows he’s appreciated. We owe a lot to our fathers, and taking time to acknowledge that on a regular basis is the least we can do.
 
In with the old, out with the new
 
     We’re nowhere near basketball season, but that didn’t stop things from heating up here in Iowa last week.
     Iowa State introduced a new head coach Tuesday following the departure of Fred Hoiberg to the NBA. The quick turnaround isn’t surprising, and it seems like the Cyclones found a worthy successor in Steve Prohm. The young head coach comes to ISU with great credentials and noteworthy references, and he should have no problem picking up where Hoiberg left off.
     Prohm emerged from a pool of seven possible candidates. That list included ISU assistant coach T.J. Otzelberger, who many thought was the favorite to succeed Hoiberg. Prohm went 104-29 during his four seasons as Murray State’s head coach. He had tremendous success there and runs an offense that matches Hoiberg’s style quite closely. Statistical comparisons between Murray State and Iowa State don’t deviate too drastically, which bodes well for a smooth transition in Ames.
     However, Murray State is in the Ohio Valley Conference and ISU is in the Big 12. That’s a pretty big swing in competition and creates a slight level of uncertainty. Prohm will have to prove himself early to ease skeptics at ISU and elsewhere. He’s inheriting a talent-laden Cyclone team that returns multiple players from last year’s squad, so there’s little room for error.
     Prohm has some big shoes to fill. Hoiberg was beloved at ISU, having achieved great success as a player and coach. The Mayor took the Cyclones to four NCAA Tournaments, won two Big 12 Tournaments and won 100 games faster than any coach in ISU history. Not to mention his .673 winning percentage. Hoiberg’s legacy will no doubt live on in Ames, and many expect him to excel as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
     The departure is bittersweet. Hoiberg is an outstanding coach that wins with class, and he was well liked by both Cyclone fans and the competition. Nonetheless, it’s time for the Prohm era at ISU. He seems like a good fit and capable successor. It will certainly be fun to see what he does with an experienced Cyclone team that’s primed for more success this season.