DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa State's basketball players went to the university president and athletic director Tuesday, urging them to keep embattled coach Larry Eustachy.

They also said Eustachy apologized by telephone for any embarrassment he had caused them from the publication of photographs that show him partying with college students in Missouri.

"I'm behind Coach Eustachy 100 percent, as I know he would be for each and every one of us," forward Jackson Vroman said.

The photographs, printed in The Des Moines Register on Monday, have drawn national attention and prompted calls for Eustachy's dismissal or resignation.

Eustachy's behavior was a hot topic on radio talk shows, both local and national. The Register said in an editorial that Eustachy "has to go." The father of Iowa State player Jake Sullivan agreed, but an Iowa State booster said Eustachy has indicated a willingness to change his behavior and should be given that chance.

Iowa State officials are considering disciplinary action against Eustachy, who is under contract through the 2010-11 season and is paid more than $1 million a year, but nothing has been decided.

Vroman said the players told university President Gregory Geoffroy and athletic director Bruce Van De Velde that they supported Eustachy and wanted him to be their coach.

"Bruce Van De Velde told us he would do what is best for the university and the basketball program," said Vroman, who will be a senior next season. "We want them to do what's best for the basketball team and that's to keep Coach Eustachy."

Vroman and center Jared Homan, who will be a junior, said they would seriously consider leaving if Eustachy was not the coach.

Eustachy, 47, is holding a can of beer in the photos. The pictures were taken at a Jan. 22 apartment party in Columbia, Mo., just hours after Iowa State lost to Missouri. In some photos, Eustachy is kissing young women on the cheek or is being kissed on the cheek.

"He's drinking, but he's 47 and has that right. As far as being kissed on the cheek, I don't know if you've seen 'The Price is Right' with Bob Barker, but he has that happen all the time," said Homan, who was charged with public intoxication last month.

Eustachy, who is married and has two children, said Monday that alcohol was a factor in his behavior and he would deal with that. "I hope to be measured by my future conduct," he said.