Iowa State University: "Wanted New coach, respect"

Headline for Thursday, December 19, 2008 edition of The Gazette titled Wanted: New coach, respect, regarding the vacant head football coach position at Iowa State.

I, for one, believe Iowa State is better off with the ill-fit, Gene Chizik. Coach Chizik is a fine, young coach, but he was a fish out of water outside the Southeast section of the country. I'll be shocked, if he ever takes a job north of the Mason-Dixon line again.

I would have enjoyed seeing Turner Gill as ISU's next head coach. I have always enjoyed his work as a player and an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The work he is doing at the University of Buffalo will likely earn Mr. Gill an opportunity somewhere else down the road. Hopefully, like the University of Buffalo, it will be the right fit for Mr. Gill.

On The Gazette question: "Is Iowa State's football program damaged goods in the wake of this mess?" Nope, one should consider it's been a long time, since Iowa State won any type of share of a conference title in football. As for last title, the Cyclones won a share of the 1912 Missouri Valley Conference title. Ironically, the MVC Football Conference returned this fall, after being silent for many years. Coach Chizik was 5-19 overall in two years at Iowa State (2-14 in the Big 12).

"I don't think Iowa State's reputation is hurt at all," said Charles Davis, Fox
television analyst who'll help call the BCS national championship game. "It
looks like they did everything the right way. If anything, Gene Chizik has to
answer questions about what really happened. I know him, I respect him, but the
court of public opinion is definitely not on Gene's side."

I have always enjoyed Charles Davis and I agree with him in The Gazette article.

Further I agree with the veteran Big 12/8 writer out of Omaha...

"Being in the North Division, which is in a much greater state of flux, you may
not be as far away as people on the outside think," said the Omaha
World-Herald's Lee Barfknecht, who has covered the conference since the days of
the Big Eight. "There's no reason somebody can't go in there and win some
football games. You aren't going to contend for national championship, but it's
not a black hole."

Dan McCarney was a better fit for Iowa State, than Coach Chizik would have been. Hindsight is 20/20. ISU AD Jamie Pollard wants to put his stamp on the Cyclone football program, as was shown when he hired Chizik. His first attempt lasted only two years, but like others that have been in the business before him (i.e.: Bump Elliott), sometimes your first coach doesn't work out.

It will be interesting to see who AD Pollard hires this time around? Someone with ties to the State of Iowa or the ISU program in some way may be a good trait to try to work into the new hire. Coach McCarney certainly brought that trait to Ames. It didn't work out for a conference title, but it did move the program in the right direction and the Cyclones came close in the North.

Good luck to State in finding their next football coach. The Cy-Hawk football series has certainly improved... it will be important for ISU to find a quality head coach for their program. Some of Pollard's decisions in other sports have left some ISU alums disappointed.

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peace

Gene Chizik to Auburn; Good news for the Cyclone football program

Gene Chizik appears to be a good, young head football coach. In two years at Iowa State University, he finished 5-19 overall record (2-14 Big 12).

Of course, Mr. Chizik was 3-9 overall in year one (2-6 Big 12) for the Cyclones. This year, with a several weaknesses and lack of experience in various areas, the Cyclones compiled a 2-10 overall record (0-8 Big 12). While many in the Cyclone fan base were looking for signs of improvement in '08; talent was lacking, especially on defense. Of course, Chizik's background in on the defensive side of the ball.

Scanning his coaching staff, he looked like he was in the Sun Belt conference, not in Ames, Iowa, coaching a Big 12 team. From my vantage point, it appeared that Gene Chizik isn't the right fit for a program north of the Mason-Dixon Line. His heart is clearly in the South. As ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard pointed out.

"Auburn's interest in Gene speaks to his (Chizik's) reputation,"
Pollard said. "We saw that same potential in Gene two years ago. He is an
outstanding football coach, tremendous recruiter and inspiring leader. When your
organization has talented staff members, other schools express interest in their
services."

Stepping up to Auburn, in the SEC, does appear to be a tall order for a guy who has finished 5-19 in two years of head coaching at Iowa State. As a defensive coordinator, Chizik helped build undefeated programs at Texas (2005) and at Auburn (2004).

A dream job came true for Gene Chizik this weekend. But, for Iowa State, they get rid of a poor fit. Hindsight is always 20/20. For the ISU Cyclones, like Bump Elliott, during the 1970s at the University of Iowa; AD Pollard will have an opportunity to make the right choice this time.

It will be interesting to see, if AD Pollard jumps out of the box? After serving as an assistant at the University of Wisconsin as an athletic administrator, Jamie Pollard became athletic director at Iowa State. Of the four head football coaches that Pollard's experience would likely draw from, all are from the defensive side of the football, being DC before being hired as head coaches.

Barry Alvarez (his former boss at UW)

Bret Bielema (current HC at UW)

Dan McCarney (who Pollard let go at ISU)

Gene Chizik (DC at Texas when hired)

Will Jamie Pollard consider an offensive minded coach to replace Gene Chizik? After the accomplishments of Dan McCarney at ISU, the difference may be found in an offensive prospective. Look at the success of Dr. Tom Osborne or Hayden Fry. Both offensive minded, even, Bill Snyder at Kansas State was a former OC.

Further, ties to the State of Iowa or old Big Eight schools may wise to apply for the job. Look for someone who clearly will be a better fit north of the Mason-Dixon Line Mr. Pollard!

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peace

One Team succeeds, while another team falls short

The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten) are bowl eligible for the eighth straight season. The Hawkeyes will host Senior Day at Kinnick this Saturday vs. Purdue (3-7, 1-5 Big Ten), in Joe Tiller's final game in Iowa City as the Boilermakers' coach.

The Iowa State Cyclones (2-8, 0-6 Big 12) are closing out head coach Gene Chizik's second season in Ames. The Cyclones host Big 12 rival and Big 12 North leader Missouri (8-2, 4-2 Big 12) on Saturday night.

It was a tough 24-28 road loss at Colorado for the Cyclones this past week, while the Hawkeyes boot a late 31 yard field goal to beat Penn State 24-23! Ironically, the radio announcer for the Cyclones Radio Network suggested ISU might go to the option. It appears the Colorado defense was prepared for it.

peace

Iowa State hosts Nebraska in Ames for a Big 12 Showdown

The head coaches have limited experience in this series, since Iowa State coach Gene Chizik is entering his 2nd season and Nebraska coach Bo Pellini is in his first year as head coach, after serving as DC in '03.

Iowa State has beat Nebraska two out of the last three in Ames:

2002: ISU won 36-14
2004: ISU won 34-27
2006: UNL won 28-14
2008: To be determined today

Nebraska enters the game 3-3 (0-2 Big 12), while Iowa State is 2-4 (0-2 Big 12). Last year, ISU was 1-5 at this point in the season, so a little progress has been seen in Chizik's second season.

This is a very important game for both programs, especially ISU, working to gain some more positive momentum under Chizik. Nebraska is on a three game losing streak, while Iowa State is on a four game skid.

Nebraska played well at Top 25 Texas Tech last week, but lost in OT with an anti-climatic turnover on offense. Iowa State was blown out at Baylor.

Prediction:
Iowa State 30
Nebraska 28

peace

Big 12 vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference Showdown Tonight on TV

Prediction: Iowa State 31 South Dakota State 20

Kickoff of coach Gene Chizik's second season @ ISU

The Cyclones will benefit from the FBS vs. FCS game being a season opener, as opposed to playing a FCS team in game 2 or 3 (ie: like UNI last year L 13-24).

ISU will open with sophomore Austin Arnaud, Ames native, at QB in the opener. One would expect to see Omaha native, sophomore Phillip Bates, get some time at QB too. These Thursday season openers are becoming popular in Ames at Jack Trice. This should be a good game, but the Cyclones should win this year, vs. the FCS.

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One Week Left: 2008 College Football season kicks off

Iowa State will host one of the first games of the 2008 college football season from Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. The ISU Cyclones face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, a FCS school, with a 7 pm start on August 28, 2008.

One week from today, the 2008 college football season will begin. Also, in the State of Iowa, high school football will begin, with the first week of action.

The Cyclones are coming off a 3-9 (2-6 in Big 12 in '07) season under second year head coach Gene Chizik. The Jackrabbits were 7-4 last year and will join the University of Northern Iowa in the new Missouri Valley Football Conference (formerly known as the Gateway) for 2008.

This will be a huge game for the Jackrabbits, who last year did not face a FBS opponent. As Jackrabbits head coach John Stiegelmeier points out in this "big time" game:

‘‘Normally we talk about a game three, four days before we play it. So we
started six, seven months early,’’ Stiegelmeier said Monday. ‘‘We did that
because things have changed. It’s a higher level. We need to have that focus.’’

Iowa State is on a one game losing streak to FCS programs, after losing to UNI at home in '07. However, the Cyclones are on a two game winning streak at Jack Trice, with back to back Big 12 wins over Colorado and Kansas State in '07.

One week from today... we will kick off the 2008 college football season!

peace

Cyclones Football '08: Another Just Circle One Game Year for ISU?

It's not likely coming from 2nd year coach Gene Chizik. As a defensive coordinator, Chizik helped lead Auburn (2004) and Texas (2005) to championship level football. But, that was prior to accepting the ISU head coaching position, after the '06 season.

The average ISU graduate you talk to or by listening to marketing guru AD Jamie Pollard, just circle The One Game (September 13th) is alive and well in Ames. For ISU fans in '08, it's clearly back to a one game season, again.

What else does Iowa State University have to play for in football? There last conference title in football was in 1912, when ISU and Nebraska won co-championships in back to back years (1911 and 1912) in the old Missouri Valley Conference. They play in the Big 12 rich ($$$) conference lead by Texas and Oklahoma.

In the Big 12, you have plenty of outstanding rivalry games. But, for Iowa State, as one ISU graduate commented last night at a friend's 50th birthday party,

"we beat Nebraska once every 15 years."

But, it's all about The One Game. As AD Pollard pointed out in Cedar Rapids at a recent Rotary Club meeting, ISU has won 7 out of the last 10 games vs. ISU's one and only rival. Do they make it eight out of 11 in '08?

Last year, Iowa State was 3-9 (2-6 in the Big 12) in Chizik's first year. For 2008 and for the one big game, ISU returns 15 starters. But, there are keys losses, such as QB Bret Meyer, WR Todd Blythe, DT Ahtybe Rubin, LB Alvin Bowen, LB Jon Banks, and PK Bret Culbertson. As one media outlet mentioned coming out of ISU's Media Day,

"competition keen in Cyclone camp... does Iowa State have any stone-cold,
lead-pipe locks this year? At any position?"

The Cyclones will have two tune up games in Ames ahead of The One Game, this season. Another Thursday opener for ISU to open the season. ISU will open August 28th at home vs. South Dakota State, a FCS program. On September 6th, the Cyclones will host Kent State at Jack Trice Stadium for a little payback? ISU lost 14-23 to Kent State to open the '07 season.

Iowa State has lost two straight on the road in it's lone rivalry game: The One Game. The last win on the road came in 2002, in a fantastic 36-31 win in the series, after ISU overcame a 17 point halftime deficit. No big surprise, since the Cyclones had won 4 straight in the series. The 2002 season win was the third straight on the road in The One Game; and first and only five game win streak in the series.

The final OOC game will be on the road on September 20th, at UNLV, the Cyclones will close the month of September with a bye week on September 27th. The Cyclones will play another eight game schedule in the Big 12 to close the 2008 regular season. The Cyclones drop the three preseason Top 25 Big 12 South opponents (OU, Texas and Texas Tech) for the three unranked Big 12 South opponents (at Baylor, Texas A&M, at Oklahoma State). Big 12 North Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri will all visit Jack Trice Stadium, while ISU travels to Colorado and Kansas State, after ISU beat both opponents in back to back Big 12 home games in '07.

A winning season will be determined on September 13th in the State of Iowa for most in the Cyclone fanbase. For Coach Chizik and those interested in seeing ISU get back to competing for a Big 12 North division title: four wins or more would be a big next step for the program. ISU nearly changed the mindset under former coach Dan McCarney in '04 and '05, but failed. McCarney's best overall season was in 2000, but the best two finishes for ISU in the Big 12 were in '04 and '05.

Of course, to the average Cyclone grad or fan, one game is circled, again, and it is hard to see that changing this season in Ames. What this program needs most is moving The One Game to the end of the season for it's fan base and the State of Iowa, in general.

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Iowa State Football '08: Year 2 for Gene Chizik

Iowa State (3-9, 2-6 in the Big 12 North in '07) will bring zero all-Big 12 award winners to the field this fall. Year 2 may not be high on wins, but most around the Big 12 believe 2nd year head coach Gene Chizik is the right man to move the Iowa State football program forward.

The Cyclones return 27 lettermen (lose 25 lettermen), so look for some ups and downs in '08. 2008 schedule:

• Aug. 28 vs. South Dakota State (Thur. night game)
• Sept. 6 vs. Kent State
• Sept. 13 @ Iowa
• Sept. 20 @ UNLV
• Sept. 27 bye week
• Oct. 4 vs. Kansas
• Oct. 11 @ Baylor
• Oct. 18 vs. Nebraska
• Oct. 25 vs. Texas A&M (Homecoming game)
• Nov. 1 @ Oklahoma State
• Nov. 8 @ Colorado
• Nov. 15 vs. Missouri
• Nov. 22 vs. Kansas State

Bold games - Top games for Cyclones in '08

Two sophomores will battle for the #1 at QB position, with hometown Austen Arnaud and Omaha's Philip Bates. Both players lettered in '07 and must replace 4-year letterwinner Bret Meyer, who lead ISU to back to back bowls his freshman and sophomore seasons ('04 and '05), but ISU has fallen to 7-17 the past two season. Meyer's favorite receiver, Todd Blythe has departed, as well.

Top linemen appears to be LG Reggie Stephens (junior, 16 starts), 4 of 5 starters return for the Cyclones on the O-line. Three other starters return on the offensive side, with part-time starters RB JJ Bass (3 starts), WRs RJ Sumrall (6) and Marquis Hamilton (9).

The Cyclones had the weakest offense in the Big 12 North, last year. The Cyclones do add the bottom 3 Big 12 South teams to the schedule in '08, with top 3: OU, Texas and Texas Tech falling off.

On defense, the Cyclones must replace their 2 top tacklers, LBs Alvin Bowen and Jon Banks. Also, the two interior linemen, in ISU's 4-3 defense, have departed. Seven starters return, including all 4 members of the secondary. Senior DE Kurtis Taylor (6.5 sacks), MLB Jesse Smith (junior 2.5 TFL, 3 PBU) and CB Allen Bell (junior, 12 starts LY) are three building blocks for Chizik's Cyclones in '08.

Special teams squad returns punter Mike Brandtner (39.4 yards per punt), but PK Bret Culbertson and KR Milan Moses have departed. Two true freshmen are among the candidates vying for the #1 PK job.

Four wins appear to be a good baseline this fall for Chizik's Cyclones. A 5 or 6 win season would have Chizik's Cyclones on the fast track, as they rebuild coming off the post Dan McCarney era, minus 2. Like McCarney, Chizik's background comes on the defensive side of the game. The defense gave up far too many points, but should be the strength again in '08.

peace