Former Iowa State University basketball standout Jeff Hornacek says he is impressed with the way another I-S-U standout has started his coaching career. Hornacek says Fred Hoiberg’s win over Drake as Cyclone coach is a big win as Hoiberg begins the rebuilding process in Ames.

Hornacek says it can be a tough transition when you take over a team where a lot of guys have left, but so far he says Hoiberg is off to a good start and he believes he’ll get them back on the right track. Hornacek went on from I.S.U. to a career in the N.B.A. just as Hoiberg did, and he says that will be a plus for the new coach in the future.

Hornacek says he talked with Isaih Thomas about a year ago about coaching in college and the N.B.A. as he thought it was something he might want to do. He says Thomas told him playing in the N.B.A. gives you a leg up in recruiting as all college players want to get to the N.B.A. He says that’s something that will benefit Hoiberg as he says college players know Hoiberg played in the N.B.A. and worked in the front office, and that will help him recruiting not only in Iowa, but across the country.

Hornacek is in Sioux City this weekend on a promotional tour for a cellphone company. He says he is reminding Alltell subscribers to replace their current phone with one from AT&T to avoid losing service. Hornacek says its a “Weekend of Fun” where subscribers can visit “WeekendofFun.com” to win free tickets. Hornacek currently works with the Utah Jazz during the week as a shooting coach and is in Phoenix on weekends with his family.

Hornacek played coach Johnny Orr at the Iowa State and was the fourth player to have his number retired by the Cyclones. He play in the N.B.A. for the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz from 1986 through 2000.