AMES, Ia. — Friday was a whirlwind day for Iowa State athletics, as there was a changing of the guard of the Cyclone Football program as head coach Matt Campbell was officially hired as the head football coach of Penn State after 10 seasons on the sidelines in Ames, leading Iowa State to a 72-55 record, 8 bowl appearances and 2 Big 12 Championship Game appearances.
Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard shared how things played out in the Cyclones effort to keep their all-time winningest coach to reporters on Friday night.
“Matt from the get-go made it abundantly clear to both the president and to me that this wasn’t about that at all. This was entirely a personal decision that he was wrestling with.
About is this the time to go home? He’s got a mother that’s got cancer Erica’s (Campbell’s wife) mother has been sick. So, to be able to go home, their oldest daughter Katie’s going to school in college next year out in D.C. and so the opportunity for all of them to be there.
And, so, he was just abundantly clear from the get-go with us that he didn’t want to spend any time on that because that didn’t matter to him. This was a personal decision for him on a family level.”
Not an hour after national outlets broke news of Campbell’s hiring in Happy Valley, Iowa State announced it had found it’s new football coach former South Dakota State coach and current Washington State coach Jimmy Rogers.
Rogers, a South Dakota native, was 6-6 in his lone season in Pullman leading the Cougars, after 2 seasons as head coach at South Dakota State, which included an FCS National Championship in 2023.
In the official release from the University, Rogers expressed his excitement at the opportunity to come to Ames.
“My family and I are excited to be joining the Iowa State University community and the Cyclone football program,” Rogers said. “Iowa State has been one of the nation’s top programs for the last decade and we look forward to building upon its upward trajectory. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that Jamie Pollard has given me to lead the Cyclones. From the administration, to the alumni and current student-athletes, this University has everything needed to compete at the highest level in college football,” he added. “I am honored to be given this opportunity and responsibility and cannot wait to get started!”
Rogers introductory press conference is scheduled for Monday, KQWC Radio plans to be on-site for the event.