CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
This down?
Using Ferentz in 2012 would have been a better case, but he had a long record with much better highs. We don't have that here.
Campbell Still in Demand?
- Thread starter danelson4
- Start date
This down?
Using Ferentz in 2012 would have been a better case, but he had a long record with much better highs. We don't have that here.
I was just going off the 7 year mark, like you mentioned. FWIW before year 7, Ferentz went 11-2/10-3/10-2 so I'd say year 7 was a pretty big down year followed by year 8 and 9 being down years too.
But yes they were down in that 2012 season.
Can you really say we are even down, though? It's not like we have been going 10-2 or 9-3 on a consistent basis.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
If we're not down, then we're just bad. Either way, it's not a good look.
Maybe Campbell pulls a rabbit out of a hat, but it's not something coaches manage to do often, if at all.
I agree- something is definitely off.
There isn't any doubt he's got us out of the basement- I'm going to go with, for the most part, we are a young football team. I just think there are always going to be down years unless you're a blue blood but hell- Texas has had a down year the last 10 years.
I think if the season can end with at least one or two wins it becomes more of a down season.
The risk is in losing several games in a row or going winless in the conference. If that happens then you have two slumps that can become difficult to overcome in subsequent seasons. Matt established a winning culture in year two after three seasons of 2-3 wins. He did this by being very adaptive in 2017. He overcame a QB change, installing a new defense, numerous questionable calls and the gauntlet of the Big 12 schedule that year.
The most disturbing development this season is going back to the same game plan against Oklahoma after having success trying a different one against Texas.
I really hope he can generate some positive momentum to end the season. The Cyclones can still uncork a five game win streak to end this season and suddenly the context shifts completely. They really just need two wins to break the ice and even one would prevent some slumps from forming.
Even if we win 1 or 2 more- there absolutely needs to be change within the staff.
You can change staff but you have to be willing to implement fundamental changes. Three different OCs from 13-15 with the same results. I remember poor Mike Warren being sent up the middle repeatedly against Kansas State trying to ride out a lead.
Well damn, our Natty window ended. Guess it's time for a new HC. No path up from here.
We will find out one way or the other. The only way Matt Campbell is ever leaving is if he decides it.
Kyle Whittingham might be an interesting comparison. He took over a hot Utah team from Urban Meyer in 05 and saw a few 10 win seasons shortly after. They jumped to PAC 12 and took their lumps early on. Still he has seen fluctuations of 5, 6, 7 win lulls in between 8, 9, 10 win seasons. It happens.
I think the idea that coaches can’t pull out of the slide is because they often don’t get time to do it. One 5/6 win season is enough to get canned at the places like Florida, Auburn, etc.
I think the idea that coaches can’t pull out of the slide is because they often don’t get time to do it. One 5/6 win season is enough to get canned at the places like Florida, Auburn, etc.
It is a scary hole to look into, no doubt. Doesn't seem like immediate relief will be coming either, as I suspect Iowa State could have a rough offseason in terms of NIL/Free Agency. I stand by Campbell for now, but the program is staring at an uphill battle, and I fear it is still near the bottom of that hill.
The wins aren't coming this year, obviously. But the 'clones have been in all of these games. The OU game was our worst of the year, and even that one we were technically still 'in' til deep into the 4th quarter. This isn't a 'down year' quite like those down years that got McCarney and Rhoads canned. If the losses keep piling up, though, it will be interesting to see how the teams resolve is, especially if they lose out this season and start like 1-2 next year. The culture seems too good still, for Iowa State to start losing games like 56-10 or 48-3 etc.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Probably.
I don't know that standing by or against matters a whole lot right now. He'll have 3-4 years to figure it out or bottom it out.
I am among the folks who believe that Campbell will make the needed changes after this season to get the team back competing for Big12 titles. If that takes coaching staff changes, he will do that. He is smart enough to know that if 2023 looks like 2022 from a Big12 wins standpoint, his job gets exponentially tougher to win at ISU go forward.
If we go 1-8 and the games continue to be close, I am optimistic that we can be an 8+ win team next year. With only 4 games left, I will be curious if we see more snaps out of young guys. That might be one of my biggest concerns is we haven't seen much from the true freshman/sophomore receivers, offensive lineman and to some extent defensive lineman.
I'm not panicking... We lost a lot of quality players to graduation and the NFL. We are not a blue blood and can simply reload every year. ISU is a young team taking some lumps and growing. I believe we will be fine. It's not like the cupboard is empty and we are getting blown out every week.
