Iowa State, Rhoads agree to new 10-year contract

By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com PublisherFollow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams

The entire Cyclone Nation took a proverbial deep breath on Friday morning.

That’s when Iowa State officials released the news that head football coach Paul Rhoads had agreed to new 10-year contract with the school.

"To say that I’m appreciative and humbled is a huge understatement," Rhoads said in a statement. "So many people have contributed to what has been achieved in our program the first three years. I want to thank President Geoffroy and Jamie Pollard, who personally met with me to begin contract talks after the Kansas game in early November. The support of everyone in Cyclone Nation has been fantastic. It’s great to be a Cyclone."

Rhoads has compiled a 18-19 record since taking over at Iowa State. The Cyclones will play Rutgers in the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 30.

"Today is a great day for Iowa State University," said Iowa State’s Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard. "Paul Rhoads and Iowa State are a perfect match for one another and we could not be happier that he is going to be our football coach for the long term."

According to Ames Tribune Sports Editor Bobby La Gesse’s Twitter feed, the new contract is worth a total of $20 million.