Since the "program changing victory" against Okie State in 2011…

Jan 9, 2012
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It's not like he did anything before November 18, 2011 that was earth-shatteringly good, either. Let's recap...

2009: rides a ridiculously soft schedule to his only winning season, courtesy of a one-point bowl victory over Minnesota.

2010: fails to become bowl-eligible, suffering two shutouts and a thrashing by Utah. The team's "signature" win was at Texas, who ended up going 5-7 (2-6 conference).

2011: thanks to coming out on the right side of a few squeaker games against bad teams, ISU is just five points removed from an 0-7 start to the season. Somehow crushes Texas Tech and ekes another close win out against Kansas before the Oklahoma State upset.

It must have taken some real wizardry to spin that as "progress".

Just remember that the ridiculously soft schedule he had n 2009 is what Danny Mac enjoyed every season.

I agree that if we do not win enough games to be bowl eligible this season, then a change may be necessary. I still think Paul Rhoads is a good fit at ISU, but another disappointing season will lose the fan base and donors. If everyone remembers correctly, Jamie Pollard fired McCarney because donations were drying up, not necessarily his on-field performance. I see the program hitting the same point with another losing season.

The difficulty I have is trying to figure out who Iowa State hires. Would Brian Kelly or Art Briles have had the same success here that they did at Cincinnati or Baylor? Could George O'Leary be as successful at ISU as he is at Central Florida? People suggest Mark Farly...but remember Terry Allen at Kansas? Or how about Jim Criner at ISU after winning a 1AA national championship at Boise State. It is easy to fire a coach....its much tougher finding a new coach. Unfortunately, I think that challenge is greater at ISU than most places.
 
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FreeBorn

Member
Jul 3, 2014
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I really think he's got until the end of 2015 to get this legitimately turned around or he needs to go. ISU unfortunately is young again this year and we'll see LOTS of growing pains, just like last year. On paper ISU returns a lot next season. That will probably be his saving grace going into 2015, but it's put up or shut very soon IMO.

Why does that matter if you what you have returning is not talented enough to be on any other big 12 roster?
 

Wesley

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2006
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Just remember that the ridiculously soft schedule he had n 2009 is what Danny Mac enjoyed every season.

I agree that if we do not win enough games to be bowl eligible this season, then a change may be necessary. I still think Paul Rhoads is a good fit at ISU, but another disappointing season will lose the fan base and donors. If everyone remembers correctly, Jamie Pollard fired McCarney because donations were drying up, not necessarily his on-field performance. I see the program hitting the same point with another losing season.

The difficulty I have is trying to figure out who Iowa State hires. Would Brian Kelly or Art Briles have had the same success here that they did at Cincinnati or Baylor? Could George O'Leary be as successful at ISU as he is at Central Florida? People suggest Mark Farly...but remember Terry Allen at Kansas? Or how about Jim Criner at ISU after winning a 1AA national championship at Boise State. It is easy to fire a coach....its much tougher finding a new coach. Unfortunately, I think that challenge is greater at ISU than most places.
Four on the radar:
Ditka.
Ditka look alike
Son of Ditka
Grandson of Ditka
It will be Ditka.:swoon:
 

roundball

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2013
5,038
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Just remember that the ridiculously soft schedule he had n 2009 is what Danny Mac enjoyed every season.

I agree that if we do not win enough games to be bowl eligible this season, then a change may be necessary. I still think Paul Rhoads is a good fit at ISU, but another disappointing season will lose the fan base and donors. If everyone remembers correctly, Jamie Pollard fired McCarney because donations were drying up, not necessarily his on-field performance. I see the program hitting the same point with another losing season.

The difficulty I have is trying to figure out who Iowa State hires. Would Brian Kelly or Art Briles have had the same success here that they did at Cincinnati or Baylor? Could George O'Leary be as successful at ISU as he is at Central Florida? People suggest Mark Farly...but remember Terry Allen at Kansas? Or how about Jim Criner at ISU after winning a 1AA national championship at Boise State. It is easy to fire a coach....its much tougher finding a new coach. Unfortunately, I think that challenge is greater at ISU than most places.

So? Did Danny Mac also have a 10-year contract worth more money than the average man will see in 20 lifetimes? I don't really see the point in this comparison.
 

Omaha Cy

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Sep 1, 2007
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Why does that matter if you what you have returning is not talented enough to be on any other big 12 roster?

Well there's that.....

I hope that the talented players ISU does have are enough to stem the tide, with experienced role players that hopefully develop to a point where they can be decent "contributors". That's what I'm getting at. Take our lumps this year, and hope they can put something together next season.

BTW, that doesn't mean I'm happy with it, just the reality I'm feeling resigned to right now.
 
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Omaha Cy

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Sep 1, 2007
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If everyone remembers correctly, Jamie Pollard fired McCarney because donations were drying up, not necessarily his on-field performance. I see the program hitting the same point with another losing season.

I disagree with the bolded. ISU set a season ticket sales record in 2006 with 30K. Interest was strong in ISU football, although there was a sense of disappointment in the air following 2005's flame out. Pollard was justifiably raising donation levels around the stadium to compete budget-wise with the rest of the Big 12. In doing so he NEEDED to re-sell the program and a new coach was the only way he could ask for more money after the 4-8 debacle of 2006. That's why Mac was on the chopping block.

When Dan went 4-8 and ISU was horriffic, was anyone going to excitedly open their wallet for double the donation in 2007? I doubt it. But when hot shot Chizik was hired it sent a message that Pollard was playing hardball, and the fan base bought in. If Mac stayed on at ISU, I don't think the fanbase buys nearly 36K in season tickets and goes in on the new donation levels like they did with Chiznik.

Pollard sent out a letter in September of 2006 telling the fanbase that donations were going up. That was a critical season for Dan to audition for the next phase of Cyclone football and he failed badly.
 

xboxfever

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2008
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Recruiting is Rhoads' biggest downfall. He just flat out can't recruit. He recruits guys that most other BCS level schools have no interest in. Last season was the first year Rhoads had no Chizik recruits, and we saw his worst season by far, and this season is starting off worse. This is year 6. This would not be tolerable at almost any other school.
 

Rick

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Mar 18, 2007
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One thing that has not happened under CPR that did under MAC that kept the fans coming was Mac was able to always bring in an elite player on offense I.e. Davis bros. and Seneca. Etc..

our QB play the past 2-3 years has just been horrid IMO. We either need a really good oline to protect a below avg qb or we need a star at qb who can make great plays on his own. I do feel Steel J could have been that guy but CPR destroyed his confidence so....
Ever hear of a WR named Lazard.. Some of you guys just kill me. I wonder why I even come on the sight. You bash the guy running it because he tried to stay positive, you bash the coach because he cant make you day a ray of sunshine. I want to win as much as anybody but I would think you stop and reread what you typed before hitting the "post" button. WOW