I know I didn’t want us to hire Fleck. I didn’t know to much about CMC, but I really liked his first press conference. No way did I ever think he could make us into one of the top programs in the conference and a top ten team in the nation. I was just hoping to be middle of the pack.
Just For Fun: Repent Time!
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You were definitely spot-on about the offensive line. I remember how impressive Toledo's line was. All seniors, replaced the next year with another set of seniors. And Tom Manning was so proud of the way they minimized injuries to the lineman.
I haven't gone back to read any of the original threads, but I can't imagine that any of us were saying anything serious about Big 12 championships (or even the Playoff) other than just pie-in-the-sky optimism. We hoped we would be where we are, but nobody really "believed" it would happen this soon. I thought you might have been the only one who honestly predicted our success. Alas, maybe that was even too much for you back at the time.
O-H? I-STATE!
I think anyone who really watches and analyzes was sold by the end of the first season. Obvious improvement every game, which is what good coaching does. Never judge a coach who is changing everything by the results of their first few games or season even but rather by if there is improvement. Not to be another Nebraska thread, but this is why Nebraska and Frost are doomed. Not a bit of improvement or any tangible signs of good coaching. I might get killed for this, but the Chiz teams were trending up by the end of his short tenure. CPRs quite the other direction.
It also amazes me how people really thought ISU had a ceiling. Some of the worst programs in the country have had decades where they won 9 to 10 games most years. KSU, Iowa, even Kansas had a short spurt. Its tough at all low population non blue blood locations. It just takes the right staff.
It also amazes me how people really thought ISU had a ceiling. Some of the worst programs in the country have had decades where they won 9 to 10 games most years. KSU, Iowa, even Kansas had a short spurt. Its tough at all low population non blue blood locations. It just takes the right staff.
I really did not have a strong take on the individual candidates or on Campbell specifically. My take was on what type of coach we should be targeting. My concern was a young guy (like Campbell) would leave as soon as he had any success and a better offer.
I live in NC now and had witnessed what David Cutcliffe had done at Duke and more importantly, how he turned down the Tennessee job and chose to stay at Duke. He had started his college coaching career at Tennessee, and in 1998 got a HC job at Ole Miss. In 2003 he won 10 games at Ole Miss (first 10 win season since 1971). But the following year he was fired after his only losing season at the school. The point was, he had learned the grass is not always greener...
So, I was hoping we would find a guy like Cutcliffe who could come in, take us to the next level, and stay.
I was very wrong. I hope Campbell retires at ISU. But even if he does leave at some point, he is clearly committed to building something special here first. Obviously, a home run for Pollard.
I live in NC now and had witnessed what David Cutcliffe had done at Duke and more importantly, how he turned down the Tennessee job and chose to stay at Duke. He had started his college coaching career at Tennessee, and in 1998 got a HC job at Ole Miss. In 2003 he won 10 games at Ole Miss (first 10 win season since 1971). But the following year he was fired after his only losing season at the school. The point was, he had learned the grass is not always greener...
So, I was hoping we would find a guy like Cutcliffe who could come in, take us to the next level, and stay.
I was very wrong. I hope Campbell retires at ISU. But even if he does leave at some point, he is clearly committed to building something special here first. Obviously, a home run for Pollard.
Here is my post from 2015... it was my first post on Cyclone Fanatic. Glad Pollard did not listen to me
New Coach: Experience v. Potential
I think that ISU should stay away from young coaches on the rise and look at coaches who have HC experience that might stay at ISU even if offered by a school with more tradition. I currently live in Raleigh, NC. When Duke hired their HC they knew who they were and owned it. Cutcliffe...
cyclonefanatic.com
I wasn’t really thrilled but after Rhoads’ last few seasons, I was more apathetic. Those last few season have been draining.
One thing that I liked was when reading Rag’s article about his recruiting tactic by creating “#storm is brewing” and utilizing social media. I thought that “he has a plan and he has ideas how to attract recruits”. My biggest gripe with Rhoads with recruiting was how he insisted on not using social media, twitter etc, saying that “we don’t want to sell gimmick” and sending traditional letters to recruits.
One thing that I liked was when reading Rag’s article about his recruiting tactic by creating “#storm is brewing” and utilizing social media. I thought that “he has a plan and he has ideas how to attract recruits”. My biggest gripe with Rhoads with recruiting was how he insisted on not using social media, twitter etc, saying that “we don’t want to sell gimmick” and sending traditional letters to recruits.
Just for kicks, I went back and read CW's article after Rhoads was dismissed where he brought up potential candidates and gave alittle background on them. Campbell was NOT on Chris's list as a potential replacement at the time. Here's a few pastes from that:
Scott Frost, Oregon’s offensive coordinator – Best known as Nebraska’s quarterback from 1995-1997, Frost, now 40, has been Oregon’s offensive coordinator since 2009. He’s young, hip, knows how to recruit at a high-level and is a Midwestern and Big 12 guy. Frost notably coached at Northern Iowa from 2007-2008.
Tony Alford, assistant head coach at Ohio State – I like Tony a lot. He was Dan McCarney’s running back’s coach from 1997-2000 and again from 2002-06 when he was also the assistant head coach. He’s a heck of a recruiter and knows the lay of the land in Ames but has never led his own program. Perhaps now is the time?
Ken Niumatalolo, Navy head coach – A Paul Johnson protégé, Niumatolo has the Midshipmen at 9-1 this season and they’ve averaged eight wins per season since he took over as the head coach in 2007.
Troy Calhoun, Air Force head coach – He’s 49 with head coaching experience, an interesting style of play and an NFL background. This is a guy with a great reputation around the coaching ranks too.
Matt Wells, Utah State head coach – I like this name a lot. He’s 42 years old, has a 25-14 record as a head coach at Utah State. His brother and Utah State offensive coordinator, Luke, coached under Rhoads early in his tenure, played at Oklahoma and has a number of Big 12 ties. Matt is a Utah State grad though, which could keep him on that side of the state.
P.J. Fleck, Western Michigan head coach – Another young guy who I really, really like. Fleck, 34, is an Illinois native who played college ball at Northern Illinois and had a cup of coffee in the NFL (coaching wide receivers for the Bucs in 2012). Do a little searching of Fleck and you’ll see the charismatic side that he brings to a program. Is he ready for the Big 12 though? Who knows.
Dino Babers, Bowling Green head coach – At the age of 54, Babers received his first head coaching opportunity in 2012-13 at Eastern Illinois and is in the middle of his second season at Bowling Green, a MAC program that is currently 8-3. Babers, who coached at Baylor from 2008-2011, is an Art Briles disciple.
Charlie Partridge, Florida Atlantic head coach – Not a sexy hire but this 41-year old was a GA at Drake back from 1996-1997 and Iowa State in 1998-1999. He just took over as Florida Atlantic’s head coach in 2014. This team notably took Florida to overtime yesterday. He is a Drake/Iowa State graduate, spent a good chunk of time at Pitt and Wisconsin and would no doubt be very interested in this job.
Kendal Briles, Baylor offensive coordinator – Fans give me a hard time for my “man crush” on Art Briles all of the time so and because of that, I could write a book about this name. He’s been named the Big 12’s “Recruiter of the Year” in 2013 and 2014 but is only 33 years old. He knows the Big 12 and is an elite recruiter in Texas but Ames, Iowa is a heck of a different beast than what Briles is used to. Personally, I would love this but still think it’s a bit of a long shot however, Briles is reportedly a candidate to be the new head coach at North Texas (so he’s obviously looking to leave).
Having said all of that, I know the type of winner’s mentality his father has and if Kendall is anything like that, I’d love for him to end up at Iowa State.
Chris Klieman, North Dakota State head coach – This would be a Jerry Kill type of hire for Iowa State. He’s 48 and not a sexy name but the guy knows how to win.
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma offensive coordinator – He’s only 32 years old but has experience at Texas Tech and Oklahoma, knows the Big 12 and knows offense. Still, that’s pretty young and this is a pretty tough job.
Brady Hoke, former Michigan/San Diego State coach – A source just told me that this is a realistic option. I’ll try to dig up more information.
***
Some interesting names looking back. I was most excited about Frost, Fleck, Calhoun and Briles (thank God we avoided that dumpster fire!) When Campbell was announced I didn't really know much about him, so I was pretty ambivalent, but still would have preferred any of the four guys above.
Scott Frost, Oregon’s offensive coordinator – Best known as Nebraska’s quarterback from 1995-1997, Frost, now 40, has been Oregon’s offensive coordinator since 2009. He’s young, hip, knows how to recruit at a high-level and is a Midwestern and Big 12 guy. Frost notably coached at Northern Iowa from 2007-2008.
Tony Alford, assistant head coach at Ohio State – I like Tony a lot. He was Dan McCarney’s running back’s coach from 1997-2000 and again from 2002-06 when he was also the assistant head coach. He’s a heck of a recruiter and knows the lay of the land in Ames but has never led his own program. Perhaps now is the time?
Ken Niumatalolo, Navy head coach – A Paul Johnson protégé, Niumatolo has the Midshipmen at 9-1 this season and they’ve averaged eight wins per season since he took over as the head coach in 2007.
Troy Calhoun, Air Force head coach – He’s 49 with head coaching experience, an interesting style of play and an NFL background. This is a guy with a great reputation around the coaching ranks too.
Matt Wells, Utah State head coach – I like this name a lot. He’s 42 years old, has a 25-14 record as a head coach at Utah State. His brother and Utah State offensive coordinator, Luke, coached under Rhoads early in his tenure, played at Oklahoma and has a number of Big 12 ties. Matt is a Utah State grad though, which could keep him on that side of the state.
P.J. Fleck, Western Michigan head coach – Another young guy who I really, really like. Fleck, 34, is an Illinois native who played college ball at Northern Illinois and had a cup of coffee in the NFL (coaching wide receivers for the Bucs in 2012). Do a little searching of Fleck and you’ll see the charismatic side that he brings to a program. Is he ready for the Big 12 though? Who knows.
Dino Babers, Bowling Green head coach – At the age of 54, Babers received his first head coaching opportunity in 2012-13 at Eastern Illinois and is in the middle of his second season at Bowling Green, a MAC program that is currently 8-3. Babers, who coached at Baylor from 2008-2011, is an Art Briles disciple.
Charlie Partridge, Florida Atlantic head coach – Not a sexy hire but this 41-year old was a GA at Drake back from 1996-1997 and Iowa State in 1998-1999. He just took over as Florida Atlantic’s head coach in 2014. This team notably took Florida to overtime yesterday. He is a Drake/Iowa State graduate, spent a good chunk of time at Pitt and Wisconsin and would no doubt be very interested in this job.
Kendal Briles, Baylor offensive coordinator – Fans give me a hard time for my “man crush” on Art Briles all of the time so and because of that, I could write a book about this name. He’s been named the Big 12’s “Recruiter of the Year” in 2013 and 2014 but is only 33 years old. He knows the Big 12 and is an elite recruiter in Texas but Ames, Iowa is a heck of a different beast than what Briles is used to. Personally, I would love this but still think it’s a bit of a long shot however, Briles is reportedly a candidate to be the new head coach at North Texas (so he’s obviously looking to leave).
Having said all of that, I know the type of winner’s mentality his father has and if Kendall is anything like that, I’d love for him to end up at Iowa State.
Chris Klieman, North Dakota State head coach – This would be a Jerry Kill type of hire for Iowa State. He’s 48 and not a sexy name but the guy knows how to win.
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma offensive coordinator – He’s only 32 years old but has experience at Texas Tech and Oklahoma, knows the Big 12 and knows offense. Still, that’s pretty young and this is a pretty tough job.
Brady Hoke, former Michigan/San Diego State coach – A source just told me that this is a realistic option. I’ll try to dig up more information.
***
Some interesting names looking back. I was most excited about Frost, Fleck, Calhoun and Briles (thank God we avoided that dumpster fire!) When Campbell was announced I didn't really know much about him, so I was pretty ambivalent, but still would have preferred any of the four guys above.
Pretty sure I was happy with the Campbell hire. But I can't remember if I posted a reaction or not.
I do remember I was a little sad because he was the first Iowa State HC that was younger than me, even if only by 6 months or so.
I liked that he was young and his Toledo teams had put good players into the NFL.
I do remember I was a little sad because he was the first Iowa State HC that was younger than me, even if only by 6 months or so.
I liked that he was young and his Toledo teams had put good players into the NFL.
I remember not knowing anything about him, but after some cursory digging, I was disappointed we didn't get Row the Boat. He had a better resume at a less illustrious MAC school than Toledo. That said, he won me over within the first month.
The doubts definitely crept in after the opening loss to UNI... How could the process give us a worse result than Rhoads the couple years prior?
Anyway, glad I'm not the AD. I would have hired Judas instead of Jesus.
The doubts definitely crept in after the opening loss to UNI... How could the process give us a worse result than Rhoads the couple years prior?
Anyway, glad I'm not the AD. I would have hired Judas instead of Jesus.
We dodged a bullet staying away from boat boy. High pressure tactics on recruits, only looking for the next bigger job, and hide the coeds.
Yeah Fleck seems like a me first kinda guy. All hat and no cattle as they say in Tejas. His antics were enough to temporarily elevate a MAC school, but he's showing that it's a lot of flash at Minnesota.
If you're in a P5 conference, ceilings are self-imposed. Outsiders don't know that ISU's administrations (and the state, who were supporting another program in the east at the same time period) created the conditions for failure for decades.
To use a modern example, KU still can reach playoffs, they have it in them. They have repeatedly sabotaged themselves in the last decade, but competent administration and coaching could potentially put them in that picture within the decade. I'm not predicting that, but it's possible.
Couldn't agree more. As an aside, I don't know about Tom's recruiting tactics, but two/thirds of what you described sounds like Tom Herman. Not a guy who left Ames particularly well liked, though he had success as coordinator.