From an Iowa State assistant

[Anon1751800595]

On Christmas Eve my dad was talking with his brother-in-law (my uncle) who lives next door to a now former assistant coach at Iowa State. A position coach who is going with Campbell to Penn State.

He told my dad that he and the former assistant used to talk often. Said the guy wasn’t shy about talking about the Campbell situation, and said that the coaching staff didn’t like how Pollard approached or handled NIL since it became a thing.

Said, to paraphrase, Campbell was looking for the first opportunity to get out of Ames, and mostly blamed Pollard for it. Said Campbell was frustrated by Pollard and felt that Pollard was throwing all the money at basketball.

Nothing earth shattering or things that haven’t already been said, but interesting to hear this sort of thing “off the record” from someone inside the program.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Throwing the money at basketball isn’t a bad idea for ISU. They will never be able to compete at the highest level in football, heck we barely have a shot at that anymore as long as the state remains a two big conference school state. There just isn’t enough money to go around. But it takes a lot less money to compete in basketball as they’ve shown. The football program just needs to bring in enough money to keep the Athletic Department operating.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Throwing the money at basketball isn’t a bad idea for ISU. They will never be able to compete at the highest level in football, heck we barely have a shot at that anymore as long as the state remains a two big conference school state. There just isn’t enough money to go around. But it takes a lot less money to compete in basketball as they’ve shown. The football program just needs to bring in enough money to keep the Athletic Department operating.

isu may be a ‘basketball’ school now, but football, no matter how bad it is, drives the bus. No matter how bad football becomes, it still is the cash .

 

[DuddyB]

On Christmas Eve my dad was talking with his brother-in-law (my uncle) who lives next door to a now former assistant coach at Iowa State. A position coach who is going with Campbell to Penn State.

He told my dad that he and the former assistant used to talk often. Said the guy wasn’t shy about talking about the Campbell situation, and said that the coaching staff didn’t like how Pollard approached or handled NIL since it became a thing.

Said, to paraphrase, Campbell was looking for the first opportunity to get out of Ames, and mostly blamed Pollard for it. Said Campbell was frustrated by Pollard and felt that Pollard was throwing all the money at basketball.

Nothing earth shattering or things that haven’t already been said, but interesting to hear this sort of thing “off the record” from someone inside the program.

That pretty much mirrors what a disgruntled staff member at cyclone fanatic reported. Then they basically banned him after he posted that. Basically Pollard wants to say on how much they can offer each player.

He also said that Pollard didn’t want the football team to be operating independently fundraising because he wanted the schools revenue to be maxed out before they started raising money for just the football program.

 

[Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo]

isu may be a ‘basketball’ school now, but football, no matter how bad it is, drives the bus. No matter how bad football becomes, it still is the cash .

...and they're in a conference where they don't have to contend with blue bloods. Big XII isn't filled with slouch programs by any means. Cincy, BYU, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Utah, the Arizona schools...all capable of being very solid in any given year. But certainly not in the same stratosphere as Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and other elites at the top of the two 800-pound gorilla conferences. The entire Big XII is, at best, made up of what most would characterize as "tier 2" programs in the hierarchy of college football.

Could ISU win a natty coming out of that conference? Not at all likely. But minus the massive recent $$$ Texas Tech has thrown at football, that conference is just sitting there for the taking on a reasonably regular basis. Throw some real money at football and Ames Community College could definitely give itself a fairly decent shot at hanging a banner for the first time since William Howard Taft was in the White House.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

On Christmas Eve my dad was talking with his brother-in-law (my uncle) who lives next door to a now former assistant coach at Iowa State. A position coach who is going with Campbell to Penn State.

He told my dad that he and the former assistant used to talk often. Said the guy wasn’t shy about talking about the Campbell situation, and said that the coaching staff didn’t like how Pollard approached or handled NIL since it became a thing.

Said, to paraphrase, Campbell was looking for the first opportunity to get out of Ames, and mostly blamed Pollard for it. Said Campbell was frustrated by Pollard and felt that Pollard was throwing all the money at basketball.

Nothing earth shattering or things that haven’t already been said, but interesting to hear this sort of thing “off the record” from someone inside the program.

 

[naturalbornhawk]

On Christmas Eve my dad was talking with his brother-in-law (my uncle) who lives next door to a now former assistant coach at Iowa State. A position coach who is going with Campbell to Penn State.

He told my dad that he and the former assistant used to talk often. Said the guy wasn’t shy about talking about the Campbell situation, and said that the coaching staff didn’t like how Pollard approached or handled NIL since it became a thing.

Said, to paraphrase, Campbell was looking for the first opportunity to get out of Ames, and mostly blamed Pollard for it. Said Campbell was frustrated by Pollard and felt that Pollard was throwing all the money at basketball.

Nothing earth shattering or things that haven’t already been said, but interesting to hear this sort of thing “off the record” from someone inside the program.

Good. Pollard's right. This State's not big enough for two good college football teams.

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

I think it is a great move to focus on hoops for Iowa St. They have done a good job and hired some good coaches. They have thrown a lot of money around at basketball and been successful.
I don't think Iowa St. will compete with the money thrown by other schools (Texas Tech, BYU) as said before.

 

[Easthawk1062]

 

[Fight4Iowa]

On Christmas Eve my dad was talking with his brother-in-law (my uncle) who lives next door to a now former assistant coach at Iowa State. A position coach who is going with Campbell to Penn State.

He told my dad that he and the former assistant used to talk often. Said the guy wasn’t shy about talking about the Campbell situation, and said that the coaching staff didn’t like how Pollard approached or handled NIL since it became a thing.

Said, to paraphrase, Campbell was looking for the first opportunity to get out of Ames, and mostly blamed Pollard for it. Said Campbell was frustrated by Pollard and felt that Pollard was throwing all the money at basketball.

Nothing earth shattering or things that haven’t already been said, but interesting to hear this sort of thing “off the record” from someone inside the program.

Pollard knows Iowa State's role, and it’s always been more basketball than football.

 

[Sett1997]

Basketball, seems to be working for them.

 

[rchawk]

Basketball, seems to be working for them.

It certainly is. That will pay for itself, maybe a couple of women's sports too.

 

[Anon1750875978]

Basketball, seems to be working for them.

The issue is that football is the income generator.

Can they prosper being the "Connecticut" of the Big12?

 

[Anon1751800595]

The issue is that football is the income generator.

Can they prosper being the "Connecticut" of the Big12?

It has worked for Kansas, Arizona and Houston, but I don’t think Iowa State has near the money to throw at basketball as those schools.

 

[Anon1751800595]

I’ll also add the assistant said Campbell had a ton of respect for Ferentz and how he runs the Iowa program. In his opinion, he thinks Campbell tried to mirror Ferentz in a lot of ways. (Insert clock management at the end of games jokes here haha.)

Seriously, said he thinks Campbell will do great things at Penn State now that he “has unlimited resources and support.”

 

[TrojanHawkeye]

 

[Anon1751457816]

Sounds like a smart AD to me

 

[kmurpny]

It has worked for Kansas, Arizona and Houston, but I don’t think Iowa State has near the money to throw at basketball as those schools.

I thought that ISU has a billionaire donor.

 

[Anon1751800595]

I thought that ISU has a billionaire donor.

Dennis Albaugh from Ankeny. Not sure how much they give, but I know his family supports Iowa State in a lot of ways. His son-in-law is a BIG Iowa State basketball fan, so if you put 2 and 2 together, you can see how and why Iowa State basketball is usually good. Always sitting courtside.

Funny thing is, neither Dennis nor his son-in-law went to Iowa State (both graduated from Ankeny HS and went to DMACC in Ankeny), so by typical Iowa State fan rules and logic, they shouldn’t be allowed to root for Iowa State. But fans will surely, gladly and happily take their donations.

Harry Stine of Stine Seed Company is another Iowa billionaire. No real ties to Iowa State, but because he’s in agriculture I think a lot of people expect/want him to give to and support Iowa State’s NIL.

 

[BunchofAholes]

Dennis Albaugh from Ankeny. Not sure how much they give, but I know his family supports Iowa State in a lot of ways. His son-in-law is a BIG Iowa State basketball fan, so if you put 2 and 2 together, you can see how and why Iowa State basketball is usually good. Always sitting courtside.

Funny thing is, neither Dennis nor his son-in-law went to Iowa State (both graduated from Ankeny HS and went to DMACC in Ankeny), so by typical Iowa State fan rules and logic, they shouldn’t be allowed to root for Iowa State. But fans will surely, gladly and happily take their donations.

Harry Stine of Stine Seed Company is another Iowa billionaire. No real ties to Iowa State, but because he’s in agriculture I think a lot of people expect/want him to give to and support Iowa State’s NIL.

Yep. Clone logic says they cannot be fans. Therefore they should not donate

 

[Jonesy5960]

On Christmas Eve my dad was talking with his brother-in-law (my uncle) who lives next door to a now former assistant coach at Iowa State. A position coach who is going with Campbell to Penn State.

He told my dad that he and the former assistant used to talk often. Said the guy wasn’t shy about talking about the Campbell situation, and said that the coaching staff didn’t like how Pollard approached or handled NIL since it became a thing.

Said, to paraphrase, Campbell was looking for the first opportunity to get out of Ames, and mostly blamed Pollard for it. Said Campbell was frustrated by Pollard and felt that Pollard was throwing all the money at basketball.

Nothing earth shattering or things that haven’t already been said, but interesting to hear this sort of thing “off the record” from someone inside the program.

Seems to me that Pollard has been the best thing that's ever happened to ISU. They've had maybe their best run ever in basketball and football in an environment that hasn't favored less lucrative programs like that in Ames. I'm surprised nobody has scooped him up too..

 

[Jonesy5960]

Good. Pollard's right. This State's not big enough for two good college football teams.

I don't believe that the existence of ISU, or any other program for that matter, has anything to do with the fate of Iowa athletics and vice versa. I think that belief exists only in the minds of fans who want to blame a rival for their own team's shortcomings.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Dennis Albaugh from Ankeny. Not sure how much they give, but I know his family supports Iowa State in a lot of ways. His son-in-law is a BIG Iowa State basketball fan, so if you put 2 and 2 together, you can see how and why Iowa State basketball is usually good. Always sitting courtside.

Funny thing is, neither Dennis nor his son-in-law went to Iowa State (both graduated from Ankeny HS and went to DMACC in Ankeny), so by typical Iowa State fan rules and logic, they shouldn’t be allowed to root for Iowa State. But fans will surely, gladly and happily take their donations.

Harry Stine of Stine Seed Company is another Iowa billionaire. No real ties to Iowa State, but because he’s in agriculture I think a lot of people expect/want him to give to and support Iowa State’s NIL.

Just get a McDonalds sponsorship.

 

[FanInBlack]

Duke football makes more money than Duke basketball. about 20 million more.

you would be stupid to throw more money at basketball over football.

 

[Anon1750875978]

Seems to me that Pollard has been the best thing that's ever happened to ISU. They've had maybe their best run ever in basketball and football in an environment that hasn't favored less lucrative programs like that in Ames. I'm surprised nobody has scooped him up too..

Most people figured he was waiting for Alvarez to retire at Wisky.
But Barry stayed too long and by that time Pollard was making good bank in Ames.
Plus, expectations at ISU are way lower than most B1G schools.

 

[MAKhawks]

Duke football makes more money than Duke basketball. about 20 million more.

you would be stupid to throw more money at basketball over football.

To be fair, Iowa State is not known for their school of business….

Iowa State 2023-24
Football:
Revenue $56.6 million
Expenses $30.1 million

Basketball:
Revenue $16.9 million
Expenses $10.5 million

 

[Anon1751369530]

Dennis Albaugh from Ankeny. Not sure how much they give, but I know his family supports Iowa State in a lot of ways. His son-in-law is a BIG Iowa State basketball fan, so if you put 2 and 2 together, you can see how and why Iowa State basketball is usually good. Always sitting courtside.

Funny thing is, neither Dennis nor his son-in-law went to Iowa State (both graduated from Ankeny HS and went to DMACC in Ankeny), so by typical Iowa State fan rules and logic, they shouldn’t be allowed to root for Iowa State. But fans will surely, gladly and happily take their donations.

Harry Stine of Stine Seed Company is another Iowa billionaire. No real ties to Iowa State, but because he’s in agriculture I think a lot of people expect/want him to give to and support Iowa State’s NIL.

Harry Stine doesn’t’t give to ISU. He went to mighty McPherson college in Kansas and McPerson received a 1 billion dollar donation a few years back, 500 million at the time, 500 million at the donors death. It isn’t too hard to figure out this was from Harry.

Harry doesn‘t donate to Iowa, but you could make the argument indirectly he does given his funding of Summit Ag’s projects.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

I don't believe that the existence of ISU, or any other program for that matter, has anything to do with the fate of Iowa athletics and vice versa. I think that belief exists only in the minds of fans who want to blame a rival for their own team's shortcomings.

I strongly disagree with this sentiment.

You don’t think that a state of 3.2 million people like Iowa, with no pro teams, could coalesce around a single state university competing at the highest level and have that help considerably? Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, OSU, PSU, Maryland, and Rutgers are all the only state schools in one of the major conferences just in terms of Big Ten teams. And every one of those states has higher population than Iowa and all with at least one major metropolitan area much bigger than Des Moines. Iowa and Iowa State are both at such a disadvantage by the other existing and pulling resources away from the other. If ISU never played major sports, Kinnick Stadium probably needs to be 90k seats to support the demand. Not to mention the advantage of all donor and NIL money going to one school today.

 

[PedMaller]

I don't believe that the existence of ISU, or any other program for that matter, has anything to do with the fate of Iowa athletics and vice versa. I think that belief exists only in the minds of fans who want to blame a rival for their own team's shortcomings.

It’s an issue for now…..but only until the Clowns make the logical decision to move to FCS in football. Then Iowa kids have 2 good programs at that level to showcase their talent so they can upgrade to Iowa or other P2 schools.

 

[naturalbornhawk]

I don't believe that the existence of ISU, or any other program for that matter, has anything to do with the fate of Iowa athletics and vice versa. I think that belief exists only in the minds of fans who want to blame a rival for their own team's shortcomings.

When ISU rises, they start taking their share of in-state recruits. If they're a perennial doormat, it's much easier for Iowa to clean house and leave ISU with the leftovers. This is not hard.

 

[rchawk]

When ISU rises, they start taking their share of in-state recruits. If they're a perennial doormat, it's much easier for Iowa to clean house and leave ISU with the leftovers. This is not hard.

As far back as I can remember ISU has seldom if ever taken their share of in-state recruits offered by Iowa. They will beat Iowa for one or two some years.

I think the Register's 1983 (maybe) all-state team included two players who chose to walk on at Iowa instead of scholarships at ISU. A LB from Fairfield and a K from, I think Stanton.

 

[paednoch23]

I don't believe that the existence of ISU, or any other program for that matter, has anything to do with the fate of Iowa athletics and vice versa. I think that belief exists only in the minds of fans who want to blame a rival for their own team's shortcomings.

If ISU didn’t exist the entire state would be Hawkeye fans. Since we have no pro sports Iowa would be a financial juggernaut.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

If ISU didn’t exist the entire state would be Hawkeye fans. Since we have no pro sports Iowa would be a financial juggernaut.

That sounds logical, but in that case, cities along the Missouri River would more likely be kNebby fans since it is closer to them.

 

[Jonesy5960]

If ISU didn’t exist the entire state would be Hawkeye fans. Since we have no pro sports Iowa would be a financial juggernaut.

Oklahoma has done pretty well with Oklahoma State in the same low population state. They do it by recruiting hard out of state. Nebraska has no one to compete with in their low population state and yet they have pretty much sucked the last 20 years. Texas has all the resources in the world and struggles to make the CFP. It's about the quality of your staff. Always has been. Always will be.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

I strongly disagree with this sentiment.

You don’t think that a state of 3.2 million people like Iowa, with no pro teams, could coalesce around a single state university competing at the highest level and have that help considerably? Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, OSU, PSU, Maryland, and Rutgers are all the only state schools in one of the major conferences just in terms of Big Ten teams. And every one of those states has higher population than Iowa and all with at least one major metropolitan area much bigger than Des Moines. Iowa and Iowa State are both at such a disadvantage by the other existing and pulling resources away from the other. If ISU never played major sports, Kinnick Stadium probably needs to be 90k seats to support the demand. Not to mention the advantage of all donor and NIL money going to one school today.

Does that explain Nebraska? A state with a smaller population than Iowa and no professional teams?

 

[uihawk82]

I strongly disagree with this sentiment.

You don’t think that a state of 3.2 million people like Iowa, with no pro teams, could coalesce around a single state university competing at the highest level and have that help considerably? Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, OSU, PSU, Maryland, and Rutgers are all the only state schools in one of the major conferences just in terms of Big Ten teams. And every one of those states has higher population than Iowa and all with at least one major metropolitan area much bigger than Des Moines. Iowa and Iowa State are both at such a disadvantage by the other existing and pulling resources away from the other. If ISU never played major sports, Kinnick Stadium probably needs to be 90k seats to support the demand. Not to mention the advantage of all donor and NIL money going to one school today.

I think you make a good point and extend it to other similar schools and states. Kansas for example has 2 Div 1 major conference teams and their overall performance mirrors Iowa and Iowa State rather than Ohio St. KU and KSU were terrible for 2 or 3 decades. KU has a pretty good team once a decade. KSU would have never been good except for Snyder having the Fry touch to build a long lasting top team.

On the other hand Okie St was generally second fiddle until Pickens gave them huge dollars. And the state of OHio cant produce two strong teams and Mich St is even up and down in that dual big 10 state

 

[uihawk82]

Oklahoma has done pretty well with Oklahoma State in the same low population state. They do it by recruiting hard out of state. Nebraska has no one to compete with in their low population state and yet they have pretty much sucked the last 20 years. Texas has all the resources in the world and struggles to make the CFP. It's about the quality of your staff. Always has been. Always will be.

Correct to a point as Coach Wilkinson put OU on the map 70 years ago and Okla teams are right next to so many great Texas high school players etc. I mean my gawd Troy Aikman from Cali first went to OU before going to UCLA. But Okie St has had a very good run fueled by Pickens money and a good staff plus And remember Okie St started to turn things around when Jimmy Johnson was their coach like 40 years ago. But as you say your team has to have a very good coach and the population or draw to recruit top players.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Does that explain Nebraska? A state with a smaller population than Iowa and no professional teams?

How does Nebraska have to be explained? 5 national titles and they had Blue Blood status up until they started making bad coaching firings and hirings.

Single school in a state with smaller population and no pro teams. But, if you cut Iowa’s population in half, each school ends up with a lower amount (~1.6MM) than Nebraska getting their entire state (~2 MM).

Kansas is a good comparison to Iowa. Slightly smaller population, but two big state schools. Kansas has pretty much never been great aside from a random season. KSU made one great coaching hire that brought them to national prominence. But aside from that a lot of futility.

Oklahoma as a state has over 4MM people with two big state schools. But they’re also a lot closer to the southern talent making it easier to recruit than in the states of Kansas and Iowa.

The state of Colorado did it seemingly right for a two “big” state school state. Colorado is the big conference school that gets the majority of state resources. CSU has been in lower conferences for their entire history, and the move to the PAC doesn’t really pull them up to being a big conference school. Yes, Colorado sucks right now but they do have a 1990 national title and could be great again if they got the right coach with the right money. Deion is not the right coach.

 

[OnlyTheObscure]

If ISU didn’t exist the entire state would be Hawkeye fans. Since we have no pro sports Iowa would be a financial juggernaut.

They would be better for sure but too far down the road now.

Iowa State should concentrate on being a basketball power. You don’t need nearly the same amount of money as football.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Does that explain Nebraska? A state with a smaller population than Iowa and no professional teams?

Half the state still lives in sod homes.