So who could we get?

[Dopey]

I don't know about Bohl, 1 year and gone at Wyoming without seeing much really out of that program?

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR="bgcolor: #d1d1d1"]
[TD="class: row-text"]08/30/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]vs. Montana

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]Laramie, Wyo.[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]W, 17-12[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #d1d1d1"]
[TD="class: row-text"]09/06/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]vs. Air Force *

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]Laramie, Wyo.[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]W, 17-13[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #f1f1f1"]
[TD="class: row-text"]09/13/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]at Oregon

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]Eugene, Ore.[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]L, 48-14[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #d1d1d1"]
[TD="class: row-text"]09/20/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]vs. Florida Atlantic

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]Laramie, Wyo.[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]W, 20-19[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #f1f1f1"]
[TD="class: row-text"]09/27/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]at Michigan State

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]East Lansing, Mich.[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]L, 56-14[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #f1f1f1"]
[TD="class: row-text"]10/11/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]at Hawai'i *

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]Honolulu, Hawai'i[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]L, 38-28[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #d1d1d1"]
[TD="class: row-text"]10/18/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]vs. San Jose State *

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]Laramie, Wyo.[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]L, 27-20 (OT)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr-hilite, bgcolor: #777777"]
[TD="class: row-text"]10/25/14[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]at Colorado State *

[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]Fort Collins, Colo.[/TD]
[TD="class: row-text"]L, 45-31[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Doesn't look the worst to me. He beat a team that has been discussed as joining the Big 12 (air force).

Got beat as badly as we do by teams in our own conference by a couple teams in larger conferences (Mich St & Oregon)

And kept it pretty close with everyone else, even against a Colo St team that is red hot, who has a good coach that has been there 3+ years.

 

[Dopey]

Here's a name: Tom Herman.

He's been a decent OC in both the Big 12 and the B1G. He knows Ames and he knows Iowa State. He was actually quite a bit more successful here than I think most people know. I'm sure he'd be eager to give a shot at head coaching somewhere.

I think there are two candidates on the Ohio St coaching staff:

Tom Herman
Chris Ash

 

[CySmurf]

Any up and coming coach that wants to win would be dumb to take this job. Its not a good coaching gig unless you are in it to just make money. What would make any coach look at our history and location and think he could do better than a minor bowl game every once in a while.

Yeah, I'm sure Hayden Fry thought that at Iowa and Bill Snyder thought that at Kansas State...and then their knees quivered and they peed down their leg.
NO...They turned those dreadful teams around...you have to get out of the mentality that it's not possible. Those 2 and whoever is the Duke coach proved it IS possible.

 

[sunnysideup]

Yeah, I'm sure Hayden Fry thought that at Iowa and Bill Snyder thought that at Kansas State...and then their knees quivered and they peed down their leg.
NO...They turned those dreadful teams around...you have to get out of the mentality that it's not possible. Those 2 and whoever is the Duke coach proved it IS possible.

Truth be be told those two and Briles are more of an anomaly than anything. Most of your up and comers don't mind the jobs like ISU, but if they do well other teams with fatter wallets come calling. It's hard for the smaller schools to hang on to them.

 

[jbindm]

If Rhoads goes (after this season or next season, doesn't matter), Pollard would have a couple ways to go -

Ed Orgeron - Football lifer with head coaching experience. Defense oriented, excellent recruiter, enthusiastic.

Mark Mangino - Another lifer with previous experience. Already has his system installed and he can bring in his own guy to run the defense.

An up and coming Air Raid disciple - Lots of them out there to pick from. Graham Harrell is working with Mike Leach at Washington State. The upside to a hire like this is Pollard could get them on the cheap initially. The downside? If a younger coach succeeds, then ISU is more than likely just a stepping stone job.

The crappy thing about all of this is that I want Rhoads to be the guy to elevate the program. He's passionate about the program and the school, and he wants to be in Ames. And his players still play hard for him - not necessarily well - but the effort is there.

But evidence of his limitations as a head coach just keeps popping up. Glaring mistakes that can be attributed directly to lack of preparation occur on a weekly basis, and that is 100% on the staff. I don't know what the answer is. I do know that 2-6 is not ok, and even at a program like ISU where expectations are tempered, we can do better.

We all knew this was going to be a long year. I recall seeing a lot of season predictions falling in the 1-5 win range, and right now that's exactly where they are. And the record notwithstanding, we've seen some progress. The offense is undeniably better than the last few seasons in their first year in a new system. And while the defense as a whole is flailing, there are some young guys who are playing well individually. Here's the deal - next year they return what, 14 starters from the offense and defense? And they have a full year in Mangino's system. There are zero excuses for 2015. If we don't see that leap to a seven or eight win season with a .500 conference record and some indications that Rhoads can keep it going, then Pollard will have no choice but to start over. Right now, I'm just not totally convinced that tearing it all down and starting over again is the right move. But next year? No more excuses. It's time to **** or get off the pot.

 

[CyTwins]

Bob Stoops

 

[Senolcyc]

Could probably get Gene Chizik for half the salary as the first time. He's not what you'd call a hot commodity. Last job he applied for was at the Hueytown, Alabama, Chick-fil-A.

 

[Jsievers24]

We need someone who will be aggressive. Our bend but don't break defense is like watching the 2 minute drill practice sessions for the opposing team over and over and over. We have to blitz and take chances. Let the players play and make plays.

 

[Cyclone07]

One great year and, otherwise, not too great, and a downward trend at the end:

[TABLE="class: wikitable"]
[TR]
[TH]Year[/TH]
[TH]Team[/TH]
[TH]Overall[/TH]
[TH]Conference[/TH]
[TH]Standing[/TH]
[TH]Bowl/playoffs[/TH]
[TH]Coaches[SUP]#[/SUP][/TH]
[TH]AP[SUP]°[/SUP][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 9, align: center"]Kansas Jayhawks (Big 12 Conference) (2002–2009)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2002[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]2–10[/TD]
[TD]0–8[/TD]
[TD]6th (North)[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2003[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]6–7[/TD]
[TD]3–5[/TD]
[TD]T–4th (North)[/TD]
[TD]L Tangerine[/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2004[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]4–7[/TD]
[TD]2–6[/TD]
[TD]T–5th (North)[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2005[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]7–5[/TD]
[TD]3–5[/TD]
[TD]5th (North)[/TD]
[TD]W Fort Worth[/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2006[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]6–6[/TD]
[TD]3–5[/TD]
[TD]4th (North)[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2007[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]12–1[/TD]
[TD]7–1[/TD]
[TD]T–1st (North)[/TD]
[TD]W Orange[SUP]†[/SUP][/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2008[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]8–5[/TD]
[TD]4–4[/TD]
[TD]3rd (North)[/TD]
[TD]W Insight[/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2009[/TD]
[TD]Kansas[/TD]
[TD]5–7[/TD]
[TD]1–7[/TD]
[TD]6th (North)[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[TD="align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2, align: center"]Kansas:[/TD]
[TD]50–48[/TD]
[TD]23–41[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 5"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2, align: center"]Total:[/TD]
[TD]50–48[/TD]
[TD="colspan: 7"][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

You wouldn't take 5 bowl games in 8 years? And one of those years happens to be an Orange Bowl. We've never been close to a BCS Bowl.

My point is he figured out a formula to winning football games in Lawrence, Kansas. If you can win in Lawrence, you can win in Ames too.

He also has much more proven success than some young OC who has never held a big coaching job.

 

[Luth4Cy]

You wouldn't take 5 bowl games in 8 years? And one of those years happens to be an Orange Bowl. We've never been close to a BCS Bowl.

My point is he figured out a formula to winning football games in Lawrence, Kansas. If you can win in Lawrence, you can win in Ames too.

He also has much more proven success than some young OC who has never held a big coaching job.

Look at how hard his schedule was each of those seasons, and then give me confidence that he would be able to emulate that success in the current Big 12.

The strangest thing in all of this, is a lot of the coaches who have rebuilt poor programs with similar to Iowa State have done so against easier schedules than we face each season.

 

[cmjh10]

I would take Narduzzi.

Have him fix the defense and keep Mangino on offense. That could be a fun team.

 

[IcSyU]

Why on earth do people see being a stepping stone as a bad thing? For every case outside Chizik it's going to mean we had some success and our coach is a hot commodity. I'm cool with that.

 

[Cakeup]

Craig Bohl...but we're a little late to the party.

 

[Cyclone07]

Eventually you have to just stop milking the tough schedule thing and win. I am very well aware that our schedule is tough. Look at Kansas State. Manhattan is very comparable to Ames and they are winning the conference. I know they have one of the best coaches in college football over there, but winning is very possible here, no matter what this schedule is.

Look at Baylor too. Not even 10 years ago they were the laughing stock of the Big 12.

 

[huntt26]

Make a splash and get someone everyone knows is a cheater. Start signing ridiculously great talent (the best programs cheat like crazy) win for a year or two (10+ games each season), get Oregon like uniforms and then get banned from the postseason after a scandal. Anything for some excitement, right?

Kidding. Maybe...

 

[CycloneVet]

Here are a few things when I think about the current state of the ISU football program.

1. 2012 was CPRs best talent year, what would he have done in 2005 with that team. That schedule wasn't exactly stacked and they blew many games that year. Not sure that CPR team would have, in fact I think that year we were a QB away from being an 8-9 win team (that's conservative), Those of you pining for DMac don't have very good memories.
2. CPR has made the necessary coaching changes on the offensive side of the ball and it has only been 1/2 of a year since that and improvement is starting to creep in, obviously yesterday didn't show that, but the man is TRYING HARD to make ISU a winner, give him some credit for that please. He hasn't had the luxury of the easier schedule that Mac had every 2 years along with a 4th non-con game to generate some momentum.
3. How many times have we actually competed against OU? Yesterday was actually par for the course. They are an elite program with elite everything. Its no comparison between the programs. Those of you who were predicting wins almost had me inspired that we could get one. I don't like the fact we laid down however but Stoops is now 32-0 following a loss, let that sink in for a minute, I am sure that D-bag was ecstatic to see us on the schedule.
4. It may be time for Wally to hang it up. I hate saying that but we are struggling defensively new blood that can recruit D-Line and LBs with a good scheme is needed. We made Tyrone Swoops look like Cam Newton for ******'s sakes
5. We are recruiting skill positions pretty well, need help with the lines and linebackers. If we could get a good O-line, and an above average D-line we would be in business. We need about 3 more Jake Campos. Actually we need to lock down the rest of the Farnioks, fat chance I know.
6. To win at ISU we need to do something different than the big boys of the conference. We can't consistently compete in a shootout with these schools, history says they will win because they can recruit better. We NEED a strong defense and a good O-Line, look at KState, that's how they are doing it with less talent than the other schools.
7. The facility upgrades that we have made are needed and they are helping us with recruiting, but that takes time to show up on the field, at least 1 redshirt year anyway.
8. Can we please stop comparing the Criner and Walden years with the CPR years. Instead of 2 poor seasons in a row, Criner and Walden gave us a decade of ****** football big ******* difference.

 

[CyclonesForever]

Watching CPR in post game leaves me with little to no hope for the future.

Just watched it. That was depressing to watch.

 

[Scott34]

Cyclonevet I don't think it could of been said any better. I think with the offense being able to show a pretty vast improvement since the beginning of the year it shows the changes that were made are working. The defense is a huge question mark at this point. As much as I like Wally, I think it may be time for another route. I think it's fair to say Rhoads hasn't lost the team, and to me that shows he is still our better option at this point.

 

[AuH2O]

Why on earth do people see being a stepping stone as a bad thing? For every case outside Chizik it's going to mean we had some success and our coach is a hot commodity. I'm cool with that.

The problem is that it doesn't take success for our coach to be a hot commodity, it takes mediocrity. Face it, the national view of our program is garbage, and if someone comes in and goes 6-6 for two seasons they'll have other offers, and many will take it. If we let Rhoads go, the national perspective will be the same as when DMac was canned. Most thought we were nuts and should be thrilled to be getting to a crap bowl every once in a while.

It doesn't mean that can't be overcome, but JP and donors better have a retention plan in place. If they hire an up and comer, they better know from day one what they're going to do in two years when someone else comes calling.

 

[AuH2O]

Here are a few things when I think about the current state of the ISU football program.

1. 2012 was CPRs best talent year, what would he have done in 2005 with that team. That schedule wasn't exactly stacked and they blew many games that year. Not sure that CPR team would have, in fact I think that year we were a QB away from being an 8-9 win team (that's conservative), Those of you pining for DMac don't have very good memories.
2. CPR has made the necessary coaching changes on the offensive side of the ball and it has only been 1/2 of a year since that and improvement is starting to creep in, obviously yesterday didn't show that, but the man is TRYING HARD to make ISU a winner, give him some credit for that please. He hasn't had the luxury of the easier schedule that Mac had every 2 years along with a 4th non-con game to generate some momentum.
3. How many times have we actually competed against OU? Yesterday was actually par for the course. They are an elite program with elite everything. Its no comparison between the programs. Those of you who were predicting wins almost had me inspired that we could get one. I don't like the fact we laid down however but Stoops is now 32-0 following a loss, let that sink in for a minute, I am sure that D-bag was ecstatic to see us on the schedule.
4. It may be time for Wally to hang it up. I hate saying that but we are struggling defensively new blood that can recruit D-Line and LBs with a good scheme is needed. We made Tyrone Swoops look like Cam Newton for ******'s sakes
5. We are recruiting skill positions pretty well, need help with the lines and linebackers. If we could get a good O-line, and an above average D-line we would be in business. We need about 3 more Jake Campos. Actually we need to lock down the rest of the Farnioks, fat chance I know.
6. To win at ISU we need to do something different than the big boys of the conference. We can't consistently compete in a shootout with these schools, history says they will win because they can recruit better. We NEED a strong defense and a good O-Line, look at KState, that's how they are doing it with less talent than the other schools.
7. The facility upgrades that we have made are needed and they are helping us with recruiting, but that takes time to show up on the field, at least 1 redshirt year anyway.
8. Can we please stop comparing the Criner and Walden years with the CPR years. Instead of 2 poor seasons in a row, Criner and Walden gave us a decade of ****** football big ******* difference.

Well said. While I have some fond memories and liked Danny Mac a lot, you're right. His teams were very disciplined and played hard, but in addition to the schedule, I think there was a little luck and good fortune with regard to the most important position on the field. Having two long-time NFL QBs start for a good portion of his most successful years sure helped Mac as well. I'm not saying Mac doesn't deserve credit for landing them - but there aren't too many instate future NFL QBs that come along, or guys the level of Seneca that most other schools try to make switch positions.