The Coaching carousel
Matt Campbell spent a decade at the helm of the Iowa State Cyclones, guiding the team through ten seasons that included numerous ups and downs. In the 2024 offseason he announced his departure, citing a desire for a new challenge and a fresh start elsewhere.
Campbell did not leave alone; he took the entire coaching staff and the majority of the 2026‑eligible players with him, leaving the Cyclones with essentially a blank slate and no returning starters.
The program responded by appointing Jimmy Rogers as the new head coach. Rogers arrives with a clean recruiting class and a vision that emphasizes rebuilding from the ground up, aiming to lay a foundation for future competitiveness.
Gene Chizik, once branded the biggest archnemesis of Iowa State fans by ESPN analyst Kyle Bonagura, had previously turned the Auburn Tigers into a national power, culminating in a BCS Championship with quarterback Cam Newton. His abrupt exit after a winless Big 12 season left many Cyclone supporters feeling betrayed.
Before Chizik’s arrival, Paul Rhoads had taken over the Cyclones, delivering a memorable Insight Bowl victory in his first year, though his subsequent records failed to sustain a consistent winning streak.
Despite the turbulence, the Cyclones retain a connection to their recent past, with the university’s athletic department pointing to the legacy of Matt Campbell’s tenure and the promise of a new direction under Rogers. The coming seasons will test whether the rebuilding plan can translate into on‑field success.