Matt Campbell Introduced at Iowa State: What We Know

Today was Matt Campbell’s introductory press conference as the head football coach at Iowa State. Here’s what we know about the guy so far.

He’s young

36-year old head coach who took the job on his birthday. Pretty young sure, but for the idiots (you know who you are) who wanted to wait for Jaime Pollard to give Les Miles a call, let’s realize one thing: Miles is 62. He’s been there. Does he really care any more? Hiring a very young coach who is established already seems like a better idea.

He’s so young that

Campbell took over at Toledo as the youngest coach in D-I football. In his first full season as the Rockets coach in 2011, he won nine games. Last time ISU won nine games? 2000. Last time before that? 1906. Just get me to a bowl game one time.

He really likes Toledo, kind of a lot

The guy had nothing but the highest of praises in today’s presser for the school that gave him his first head gig in the college football world. That’s pretty cool. If that can transfer over to half as much passion for the Cyclones that Paul Rhoads had, ISU will be just fine in the passion department.

He’s getting a decent roster coming back

Mike Warren has three years left after rushing for 1300+ yards this year. Alan Lazard could be the best receiver in the Big XII the next two years. Joel Lanning, who was damn impressive once he became a starter, has two years left at quarterback. This is a team that went to the wire with the No. 4 team in the country, and quite honestly SHOULD (but didn’t) have beat a Top-10 Oklahoma State team, and a bad Kansas State team. The Cyclones are not that far off of being a solid team in a very good conference.

He’s a “players coach”

Whatever that means, everyone has been saying it. Rhoads was a players coach, that equated to eight wins in three years. A guy that goes in and earns immediate respect is a good idea.

He’s probably not related to Dan Campbell

They don’t really look anything alike, so I hope that’s the case. Thank god.

He’s on twitter

@ISUMattCampbell. Sure changed that name quickly.

It’s the best hire Pollard could have made

It was a quick hire. Pollard was taking notes the past two years when the Cyclones played the Rockets. Pollard was impressed. No need for any hot takes on how Iowa State will be with Campbell at the helm, but I have a feeling the next three years will feature more wins than the previous three.

Trent’s Note: What’s the first thing an athletic director should do after hiring a new head football coach? Shit on the fans of course!

Who also happens to be a donor

Jamie Pollard’s skin is about as thick as tissue paper.