AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg boarded a flight to Chicago on Monday to meet with the Bulls about their open coaching vacancy. Hoiberg told reporters at the airport in Ames, Iowa, that he has meetings set for Monday night but no deal with the Bulls has been finalized. Hoiberg had long been rumored as the replacement for Tom Thibodeau, who was fired last week after five seasons in Chicago.

Hoiberg says the speculation that he was leaving the Cyclones after five seasons has been “extremely tough,” adding that he didn’t want to comment on anything because there wasn’t anything firm to talk about. Hoiberg is 115-56 with the Cyclones, including four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back Big 12 tournament titles.