Coach McCarney Resigns As ISU’s Head Coach

Jeremy · 11-08-2006, 07:43 PM

Coach McCarney Resigns As ISU’s Head Coach
CycloneFanatic.com
Jeremy Lind

A very sad and controversial shakeup took place in Ames tonight when Iowa State Head Coach Dan McCarney gave his resignation effective after the Missouri game on November 18th. We all have the greatest admiration and respect for what Dan has done in his 12 years in Ames and we all wish him and his family the best from the deepest reaches of our hearts.

Today is a sad day in Ames, but it’s also a day for a new beginning and for renewed hope. While the fan-base will undoubtedly be mixed with their feelings on the outcome of this change, there is no question that things need to move forward regardless of these differences in opinion. We have to take this event and make the best of it. One thing is certain; there is no time in college football for feeling bad about yourself or your program and we can’t sit and argue over if this was the right move, it’s already done.

College Athletics has become a rough business and often times it seems unfair when somebody you’ve looked up to for so long has to move aside for the betterment of the department as a whole. Things won’t wait for us any longer though; teams all around us are rebuilding and we need to make every effort to get back on the horse and ride to that next level before we miss any more opportunities to elevate the football program to a higher level.

With the news that Coach Mac will no longer be at the helm of the football program, it’s time to take the ball and run with the new opportunities that will present themselves. Mac is a great guy but he’s not as big as the Athletic Department and its future. Mac is one guy in charge of one program, even if that program is the bread and butter for the entire Athletic Department.

Mac himself truly believes from the bottom of his heart that a change is needed to regain and maintain the momentum that he has built over his tenure at Iowa State. It is with that great attitude and respect for the entire University that we all need to express our gratitude for Mac and his family, but it’s also with that attitude that we make sure his grand vision for Iowa State Football is fulfilled to its fullest in the future.

Changes will never make everybody happy, but we need to come together now more than ever. It’s time to step up and make sure that whomever comes in to lead this program in the future that they feel welcomed and privileged to be leading Iowa State into the upper echelons of the Big XII. National pundits can put us down all they want, it’s our job to prove them wrong.

As Dan McCarney said his first day and will undoubtedly say his last day in Ames; Why not Iowa State? Why not conference Championships? Why not here in Ames?

letsgostate · 11-08-2006, 08:56 PM

Nice job on the reports Jeremy...you do a fantastic job with this site and you are right on top of the news. Kudos to you...Mac is a class act and his super attitude will be missed at ISU. What do you see Mac doing? How long do you think the process will take on a replacement?
Thanks again for a super job.

URBCLONE · 11-08-2006, 09:03 PM

GREAT POST, Jeremy. I really appreciate this site and all that you do. Why not ISU? EXACTLY!

St8Grad · 11-08-2006, 09:43 PM

Great post once again Jeremy. DMAC is a class act & I thank him for where he's brought Cyclone football. And he did it the RIGHT way...didn't cut any corners. Good luck in the future Dan, we'll never forget you...

mjones34 · 11-08-2006, 11:42 PM

All that needs to be said for me is that the past is the past and won't change. There were some amazing ups and torturing downs. I'm over it and cannot wait for next year! Dan was one of the nicest guys and never blamed anyone for his mistakes. He is a classy and I wish him the best.

clonomaniac · 11-08-2006, 11:58 PM

First of, Thanks Jeremy for being on top of things. I don't know how I would have known this much information on time if it wasn't for cyclone fanatic. You should be publishing some magazine in near future. I think you will do an awesome job, my best wishes to you and your accomplishments with this site.

Secondly, after hearing what Mac had to say tonight, he became someone I will always look upto as far as being professional even when the truth hurts and makes you go insane with all that emotions. I applaud Mac for staying loyal to both the cyclone community and expressing his gratitude to JP and the fans and mostly the student athletes. This man made my eyes go heavy in tears and I will do anything as a fan to bring success to Mac's legacy in Ames.

Finally, I want to thank everyone of you to put so much focus on this matter as loyal fans. We need a stronger fan base who can believe that we are heading to the right direction. I strongly believe this is the one day in cyclone history that everyone united and with Dan's comments, I am hopeful everyone will do their part to someday bring ISU football to the next level.

Wesley · 11-09-2006, 07:47 AM

I actually blame the current assistants (and not McC) could not take the program to the next level this year or maintain the level throughout the season. The recruits were fine up until recent times. The imagination in playcalling and defensive approaches did not go far enough to meet the opposition. The speed of the defense has increased, but the college game has evolved so much to what the pros do, we could not adjust fast enough. The game is usually lost by the staff decisions and not the head coach or the players. Players make mistakes and do the best they can, but they run so much on confidence. We lost our confidence after Iowa and UNI. And the staff was not able to put the pieces back together. The really bad games IMO started with letting TT win at Ames. The last 3 weeks is not as good a team as first seven weeks. Losing Stevie about did us in for the season because we have no rushing back that can avoid injury or produce. Too bad. Can Nebraska rent us out Kenny Wilson who now sits on the bench as a locked in juco? We need a juco crushing runner for next year to help us through the tough times the next two years.

cycloneworld · 11-09-2006, 07:54 AM

I agree with you Wesley...ultimately it's his assistants who let him down. Unfortunately, Mac has to be responsible for those assistants.

Wow though...what a class act. I thought Mac said all of the right things. When he said "I'll always be a Cyclone"...I about lost it.

kgreeny · 11-09-2006, 08:32 AM

I agree with Wesley and Cycloneworld. Mac took the high road one last time at ISU. I think he could have saved his job, but couldn't let his asst. go. He was not ready to fire them to save himself. He always stayed loyal. I hope the staff understands what a leader he is and what he did for all them.

bostinelosd · 11-09-2006, 08:56 AM

It really irritated me that someone asked on the press conference last night "so Jamie, do you have someone lined up or have an idea who you want" What the hell is wrong with people. I liked Jamies response "this night is for Dan and those questions shouldnt be asked here"

cyclonekj · 11-09-2006, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by bostinelosd

It really irritated me that someone asked on the press conference last night "so Jamie, do you have someone lined up or have an idea who you want" What the hell is wrong with people. I liked Jamies response "this night is for Dan and those questions shouldnt be asked here"

Even worse was (paraphrased), "Jamie, if Dan hadn't resigned, would you have fired him?" Nice work. Nothing like pouring salt in the wounds.

bostinelosd · 11-09-2006, 09:12 AM

Exactly, thats just horrible. There were some good reporters there who asked good questions like "what will you miss" and so on. He is a good man who has a huge heart for ISU, shame on the reporters who were looking for dirt.