Iowa State students react to football coaching shake-up
By Pepper Purpura
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AMES, Iowa (KCCI) — Iowa State’s football program is heading into a major transition — and students say they’re still processing the news.
Shock spread across campus this weekend after longtime head coach Matt Campbell announced he’s leaving Ames to take over at Penn State. The change comes as the Cyclones also declined their postseason bowl invitation, citing a lack of healthy players to safely prepare and compete. The Big 12 has issued a $500,000 fine to ISU for the withdrawal.
Students told KCCI they “did not see it coming,” and called the changes “surprising” and “devastating.”
Campbell leaves as the winningest coach in Iowa State history, having delivered the program’s best season ever in 2024. Students say his decade in Ames reshaped how they saw Cyclone football.
“(Under Campbell) the vibes around campus were at an all-time high. We were not only being seen as a basketball school,” said junior Jakson Ley.
“Seeing Jack Trice fill up with all the students, it’s just awesome,” junior Ben Donath added.
For many, the departure has deflated the campus atmosphere.
“Everyone’s kind of down,” Collura said. “The atmosphere around here has been kind of dreadful the last couple of days.”
But with new head coach Jimmy Rogers set to be introduced Monday, curiosity — and cautious optimism — is beginning to take hold.
Rogers had just finished his first season at Washington State before quickly pivoting to Ames, something students admit feels unusual. Still, many say they’re ready to see what he brings.
“We’ll have to see how he does, but I have optimistic feelings,” Collura said.
“We have a bit more talent than Washington State, so I’m just seeing what he can do with our guys,” Ley said.
Athletic Director Jamie Pollard said he supports the players’ decision to forgo the bowl game, as many weigh injuries and potential transfer options. For students, the focus now turns to how Rogers will lead the Cyclones into a new era — and whether the energy Campbell helped build can carry forward.
This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.
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