The whole reason CMC left Toledo was because he wanted to build something special. He literally said he thought he could mold Toledo into the next Boise State.
Jamie sold him on the vision that he could do that exact same thing at Iowa State, a place with a foundation, with better resources than Toledo—but zero existing culture or tradition.
And then Jamie gave Matt Campbell the keys to build something special.
What people don’t get is that CMC wouldn’t have that same opportunity at a Michigan, a Notre Dame or an Ohio State. Sure, he could build or maintain those places at their longtime glory, but there the only achievable goal would be to become the next face on that school’s coaching Mount Rushmore.
Here, CMC is the architect, the founder. Not just another face, but hopefully the first face.
I honestly think the only way he leaves is A, for some reason he discovers that he can’t get the job done here, that he doesn’t have the needed resources, or B, he scales the mountain, and is ready for another challenge.
Personally, I don’t see that first condition happening any time soon—if it does. The second one? If CMC moves on after a national Championship or two, I promise not to complain.
Er, too much.
Now, where else could Matt Campbell find another P5 place with better resources than ISU, but zero tradition? Hint: there really isn’t one.
Go Cyclones!
