Yancy McKnight to join Tom Herman’s staff at Houston

AMES — Players often raved about Iowa State director of strength and conditioning Yancy McKnight‘s abilty to maximize their physical development.

 Apparently, colleagues were impressed, as well.

 FootballScoop.com reported this morning that McKnight is heading to Houston to join former Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Herman’s staff. Herman was named the Cougars’ coach in late December. He’s currently the offensive coordinator at national title game-bound Ohio State, while assembing his staff at Houston.

 “Urban (Meyer) gave me a month-long supply of No-Doze and Red Bull," Herman joked in a Columbus Dispatch article. 

 Mike Green, ISU’s sports information director, confirmed the news to CycloneFanatic.com.

 McKnight spent seven seasons in Ames. He did not immediately respond to a text message sent in hopes of obtaining comment.

 Former Cyclone all-American and current Miami Dolphin Jake Knott said via text that McKnight will be missed — and will miss Ames himself.

 Knott’s vote for the next strength coach?

 "I’m hoping they promote current strength staff and move Clayton Oyster to head strength coach," Knott said. "He deserves it and it would be by far the best solution from a player’s point of view. The culture Yancy established will continue there with those guys because he did such a great job instilling it."