SUMMER SERIES (podcast): The rise & fall of Paul Rhoads at ISU

[ChrisMWilliams]

Hope you guys enjoy episode 2 of the summer series. A good listen for your holiday travel I believe. Enjoy.

https://cyclonefanatic.com/podcasts/summer-series-the-rise-fall-of-paul-rhoads-at-iowa-state/

 

[Cyched]

Rhoads' first four years were also my college years. Thanks for the nostalgia blast.

 

[Al_4_State]

I really think the initial success just got to his head. He started to believe he was infallible, his ego increased, and he completely lost touch with the guy who was in that locker room in Lincoln. A classic cautionary tale that can apply to just about any walk of life.

 

[dawgpound]

I still get mad thinking of that Nebraska game in 2010. Would have changed that whole season. But thinking of that 09 game against Nebraska makes me happy again. The turnovers in that game from Nebby was like a whole list of Sportscenter Not Top 10.

 

[dawgpound]

Also absolutely love the Summer Series, keep em coming!

 

[Stewo]

I really think the initial success just got to his head. He started to believe he was infallible, his ego increased, and he completely lost touch with the guy who was in that locker room in Lincoln. A classic cautionary tale that can apply to just about any walk of life.

Yep. Heard this same thing from a brother of a former player. Paul got much too big inside of his own head and became his own worst enemy.

 

[BCoffClone125]

Great podcast guys, probably one of the top 5 CF pods I’ve listened to. I was a freshman at ISU during Paul’s first year in 2009 and feel particularly tied to his era. I can vividly remember where I was and who I was with during many of those high’s and lows the first 4 years while I was a student in Ames. Obviously the last 3 years were hard to relive but I think it puts his whole tenure into perspective. So many iconic moments paired with so many what if’s, and ultimately one hell of a story.

 

[amishclone]

I feel like the Jeremiah George ripoff vs Texas didn't get enough play. Win that game & that whole season goes differently.

 

[brentblum]

I feel like the Jeremiah George ripoff vs Texas didn't get enough play. Win that game & that whole season goes differently.

Man, we could have gone another hour with more of those stories, that game included. Appreciate you all listening.

 

[Farnsworth]

I still get mad thinking of that Nebraska game in 2010. Would have changed that whole season. But thinking of that 09 game against Nebraska makes me happy again. The turnovers in that game from Nebby was like a whole list of Sportscenter Not Top 10.

Yes that game still pisses me off, I really wish we could have that one back. That was a big kick to the boys, we had it all lined up. Last time playing Nebby, late drive to send them packing from the conference, well designed play, and just crap execution on the throw.

I still remember being in Jack Trice and how I felt when that ended. We just sat there in the upper deck just staring in disbelief after being so excited that we were going for it. No normal hat throwing from me (basketball season at home), just sadness.

 

[Pat]

Yep. Heard this same thing from a brother of a former player. Paul got much too big inside of his own head and became his own worst enemy.

This may be true - I have no idea - but the 2012-13 disaster recruiting classes also coincide with the panic about the Big 12 collapsing, and I don't think that's a coincidence. Because the impact wasn't fully felt for a few years, I feel like this is often overlooked.

 

[jbindm]

This may be true - I have no idea - but the 2012-13 disaster recruiting classes also coincide with the panic about the Big 12 collapsing, and I don't think that's a coincidence. Because the impact wasn't fully felt for a few years, I feel like this is often overlooked.

Good point. It also maybe explains why the Big 12 was so far down last season. ISU probably wasn't the only program hurt by the rumors of the Big 12's demise.

 

[BryceC]

I think looking back at some of those late press conferences he would probably regret some stuff. Overall though fun tenure.

 

[rholtgraves]

Also really like the Woodford Reserve bourbon.

 

[jbindm]

I really think the initial success just got to his head. He started to believe he was infallible, his ego increased, and he completely lost touch with the guy who was in that locker room in Lincoln. A classic cautionary tale that can apply to just about any walk of life.

Could've been. His inability to develop a QB and the long term revolving door at that spot that resulted also didn't help matters. He went four full seasons without committing to any one QB. Barnett, Jantz, Sam Richardson, Joel Lanning, Rohach...am I missing anyone? To be fair, it's not like any of those guys just took the job and ran with it, but the hook was always so quick.

 

[CyTwins]

Yes that game still pisses me off, I really wish we could have that one back. That was a big kick to the boys, we had it all lined up. Last time playing Nebby, late drive to send them packing from the conference, well designed play, and just crap execution on the throw.

I still remember being in Jack Trice and how I felt when that ended. We just sat there in the upper deck just staring in disbelief after being so excited that we were going for it. No normal hat throwing from me (basketball season at home), just sadness.

Just dead silence walking out of the stadium. Gut wrenching

 

[jsb]

I feel like the only one who has mostly good memories of the Rhoads era. I certainly had more fun with Iowa state football under him than I did with McCarney.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Great podcast guys, probably one of the top 5 CF pods I’ve listened to. I was a freshman at ISU during Paul’s first year in 2009 and feel particularly tied to his era. I can vividly remember where I was and who I was with during many of those high’s and lows the first 4 years while I was a student in Ames. Obviously the last 3 years were hard to relive but I think it puts his whole tenure into perspective. So many iconic moments paired with so many what if’s, and ultimately one hell of a story.

Apparently you weren't doing it right...

 

[NickTheGreat]

Great podcast. I agree that ISU is better off because of Rhoads. Or he left it better than he found it.

"Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened" type of thing in my mind.

 

[Cyclophile1]

Great podcast guys. You hit on so many of the highlights and downturns, missed opportunities that ultimately caused the regime to grind to a halt.

That failed 2-pt conversion in the final meeting with Nebraska was a HUGE missed opportunity. That was Rhoads' "Shaggy Shank" which set back our friend Mac and started him down the road which led to his end.

I think Rhoads second-guessed himself on that, and I swear he played things much more conventionally from there, which in some ways doomed him. In order to get over the hump at an ISU, you need a guys with the stones to make that call and he really was more conventional moving forward.

It's pretty clear now that being a defensive guy he was relying an awful lot on his OC and offensive staff, and he made some really bad bets there which more or less dictated his level of success. The Messingham elevation over Sturdy was a HUGE blunder, followed up with a big roll of the dice on the Fat Man which came up snake eyes.

That and the fact that the staff couldn't build on their relative on-field success in the recruiting wars, due to a number of factors not the least of which was the Re-Alignment talk that had us landing in some makeshift BigEast or MWC. We didn't have enough recruiting aces on staff and failed to come into the 21st century with our methods and use all tools in the toolbox for promotion, marketing and communication with athletes via social media as that rose in importance. Lots of deficits there that really hurt our talent level.

Too much to comment on, so I'll leave it there.

I could listen to another hour of that honestly.

Cheers