Was Wally Burnham DC at South Florida?

**mustangcy** · 10-19-2009, 01:18 PM

I don't think John Walters would mind me saying this but...I was talking with John at a Cyclone function and when I asked about Wally. One of the first things he said was that Shane is one heck of a good coach as well and that he thought we got a steal/diamond in the rough type coach. So John seemed pretty high on Shane which made me feel good about both hires.

He also said Danny Mac had a little something to do with getting Wally here...

**swammi** · 10-19-2009, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by isuno1fan

I agree...the deal was for them to coach together...not for Shane to eventually take over.

It's worked out well for all :)

I believe this to be true. USF would not hire Shane. I believe Mac gave PR a heads up and the rest is history. Sure glad it worked out that way.

**Tornado man** · 10-19-2009, 01:20 PM

Leavitt learned about working long hours when he was under Bill Snyder at K-State - so he demands the same from his assistants too.

**KMAC_ATTACK** · 10-19-2009, 01:44 PM

It was also stated that Wally got full control over the defense.....while at USF Leavitt was always trying to make it his defense not wallys. Couple that with the opportunity for him to coach his son, it was an opportunity he couldnt pass up.....

We're so lucky to have him......

**CycloneErik** · 10-19-2009, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

It was also stated that Wally got full control over the defense.....while at USF Leavitt was always trying to make it his defense not wallys. Couple that with the opportunity for him to coach his son, it was an opportunity he couldnt pass up.....

We're so lucky to have him......

That we are. I was blown away from the moment they announced his hire.

**Al_4_State** · 10-19-2009, 01:53 PM

I don't think you could accomplish what Leavitt has w/out some crazy hours.

**ISU_phoria** · 10-19-2009, 01:55 PM

I am just glad he's here. Our defense has grown in leaps and bounds from last year to this. While the stats may not show that, it is completely evident by watching us play.

I also think it might be a bad idea to speculate about how/why he (Wally) chose to come here as some have done, unless there is concrete information.

**Dave19642006** · 10-19-2009, 01:57 PM

Cyclone Sports Report: When were you first contacted by Coach Rhoads and what led to you becoming the new defensive coordinator at Iowa State?

Wally Burnham: I believe it was about last Wednesday or Thursday that he first contacted me. Then my wife and I came up to Ames to spend some time with Paul this weekend. On Saturday we toured the facilities and toured Ames and just did a lot of talking. I thought it was very important for my wife to get a feel for it because it's a big decision. We went out and ate and then we just sat and talked about family and other things in order to really get to know each other and to see if we were compatible working together. Paul and I then met on Sunday and talked for about four to five hours in the morning. We talked coaching philosophy and X's and O's for a while and I asked him a lot of questions about his style just to make sure we would be a good fit. Then last night he called me at about 10pm and offered me the job. I immediately accepted the position and then went in this morning and officially resigned from South Florida.

CSR: How tough was it to leave South Florida?

WB: I have been here for nine years so it's really become like a family and I have so much respect for the program and the players. We accomplished a lot going to bowl games and I have a lot of memories that I will hold dear to my heart. But the opportunity that Paul Rhoads has offered me to come and help rebuild the program at Iowa State is outstanding. If you are a competitor you really can't ask for more. The other thing is my respect for Paul Rhoads. I coached against him when he was at Pitt and I just feel we have a lot of similarities.

CSR: How would you classify your relationship with Coach Rhoads before this past weekend?

WB: It was strictly professional but Dan McCarney is a very close friend of mine and he was the guy that tied Paul and I together.

CSR: What was it about Coach Rhoads that made you think you could work with him here at Iowa State?

WB: I just had a comfort level sitting down and talking with Paul about family and his vision for the program. I just have a common feeling that this guy has a plan and that he is for real. After talking with him I really felt that he knows what he is doing. Even on Saturday night I told my wife that I thought he was a really great guy and she thought the same.

CSR: What is your main defensive philosophy?

WB: We will be very aggressive and try and dictate what the other team is doing instead of seeing what they are doing and then reacting. We will demand that the kids be disciplined and lined up ready to go. It's not always the kid with the most ability. Sometimes it's the kid with the biggest heart. If you want it bad enough there is a way to get it. We're going to try and instill that into the kids and also the pride that Paul wants each of them to show.

CSR: You have coached in the ACC (Florida State), the SEC (South Carolina), and the Big East (South Florida). How excited are you take on the challenge of coaching in the Big 12?

WB: I'm very excited and I feel it's just a great opportunity. Someone asked me today why Iowa State and I said why not go out there and be a part of something that can be great. I want to go compete in what might be the best conference in the country and win.

http://iowastate.scout.com/2/840107.html

**cyhiphopp** · 10-19-2009, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by mustangcy

I don't think John Walters would mind me saying this but...I was talking with John at a Cyclone function and when I asked about Wally. One of the first things he said was that Shane is one heck of a good coach as well and that he thought we got a steal/diamond in the rough type coach. So John seemed pretty high on Shane which made me feel good about both hires.

He also said Danny Mac had a little something to do with getting Wally here...

It looks like Shane is really hitting it hard on the recruiting trail. I think he is in on most of the big recruits from FL.
I also think that the deal was just that Wally would get to coach with his son, and get his son a big promo to a BigXII line coach. So far, I think Shane is earning his stripes, especially in recruiting.
I sincerely doubt any promises were made for Shane to become DC. That position is Ash's unless he get's hired away first. Even still, if Ash leaves for a smaller school as a DC, I wouldn't bet against him coming back when Wally retires.

**cyhiphopp** · 10-19-2009, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

I don't think you could accomplish what Leavitt has w/out some crazy hours.

Leavitt has done great things at USF and is a really good coach. I do remember hearing some rumblings about him being tough to work with. Probably just his fiery personality bleeding through. I am so glad that Wally decided to make the jump to ISU and that we took a chance on Shane.

**CloneIce** · 10-19-2009, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by mizouse87

Regardless of the circumstances on his decision to come, I'm glad he's here. How many years do you all think he'll continue coaching?

That is a really good question. I really hope he coaches for several more years before retiring... so impressed with the job he is doing with out defense!

**Tre4ISU** · 10-19-2009, 02:34 PM

First of all sometimes these comments, while not intended, sound like Shane is just an accessory. I don't think he is that at all. I think what he is a young coach who is going to be mentored by his father and hopefully develop into a great coach someday. That is my hope anyway. I don't think Ash will be here long enough to take over so I think that may leave Shane as our guy in the future. I have been astounded by what Wally has done and I look for some great things from this defense in the coming years.

**Leidang** · 10-19-2009, 02:45 PM

I can't find the link but right after Wally was hired there was a good article mentioning Dan. To paraphrase Wally said he called Dan up and asked him about Iowa State and Dan said something like "The best people I've ever been around in my life. If you go you will never regret it."

I thought that was a heck of an endorsement after being asked to leave. Dan is a class act all the way. May have been time for him to move on but I'll never regret having him as our coach.

**Rogue52** · 10-19-2009, 03:07 PM

I wonder if there is still a professional relationship between DMAC and Jamie Pollard. It might be beneficial in certain circumstances.

**d4nim4l** · 10-19-2009, 03:24 PM

In one of his early interviews after coming to Iowa State Wally mentioned he had maybe 10 years of coaching left, and all parties willing, would like this to be his last stop.