Cyclones land “family oriented” Campbell

AMES — Iowa State football thrust itself into the coaching carousel and into a marketplace that has been particularly convoluted this season.

But as quickly as Iowa State found itself in the middle of a search for a new head coach, the program just as quickly tabbed its new leader one week after announcing a change would be made.

Toledo head coach Matt Campbell was officially named the coach at Iowa State, the school announced Sunday. The move came just one week after Paul Rhoads was fired and just one day after a 30-6 loss to West Virginia left the Cyclones 3-9.

'Matt's coaching and playing achievements are extraordinary, but we were even more impressed by his character, leadership and commitment to his family,' Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard said in a release. 'I could not be more excited to welcome Matt, Erica and their children to the Cyclone Family. We are truly blessed to have one of the industry's rising stars leading our football program.'

Campbell, who turned 36 on Sunday, will be formally introduced Monday afternoon. He signed a six-year deal with a first-year salary of $2 million. Pollard and senior associate AD David Harris met Cyclones players at the Bergstrom Football Complex on Sunday afternoon to inform them of the hiring.

'From what Jamie Pollard told us this afternoon, he's a very genuine guy who is family oriented, he cares a lot about his players and stuff,' said ISU receiver Allen Lazard. 'Obviously that's from what Jamie said and stuff. I'd like to still meet him in-person and get to know him on a personal basis.'

Campbell has spent the past four seasons with the Rockets, compiling a 35-15 record. He's helped Toledo to three nine-win seasons including a 9-2 mark in 2015. The Massillon, Ohio, native also coached the Rockets in three bowl games during his tenure.

Toledo and Iowa State have met each of the last two years, with the Cyclones winning, 37-30, in 2014 and the Rockets grabbing a 30-23 double overtime win this season.

'I couldn't be more excited to receive the opportunity to coach at Iowa State,' Campbell said in the release. 'Two years ago after we played the Cyclones in Ames, I called my wife (Erica) and said you simply would not believe this place. Their fans, the game-day environment and facilities are all incredible. I could see us living in Ames and me coaching the Cyclones some day. My family and I are truly humbled.'

It's unclear who Campbell will bring from Toledo as he assembles his staff or which ISU coaches will be retained, but current ISU running backs coach Lou Ayeni is a prime candidate for retention.

Campbell and Ayeni were on the UT staff together, including 2012-13 where Ayeni served as associate head coach/run game coordinator under Campbell. The two also recruited ISU running back Mike Warren to the Rockets before Ayeni joined the offensive staff in Ames and brought Warren with him.

Warren ended his first season with 1,339 rushing yards and five touchdowns under Ayeni's tutelage and is eager in furthering his progress with Campbell at the helm. Through the roller coaster of emotions that hit the ISU football players this week, Warren thought back to his first career start — against Toledo in September — and a brief encounter he had with Campbell.

'He has a lot of fire in him. I talked to him after the game,' Warren said. 'He asked if I remembered him. I said, 'Of course, how I almost came here so I have to remember you somehow.' He's just a very good guy.'

After one year of playing at Pittsburgh, Campbell transferred to Mount Union as a defensive lineman and won three Division III national titles with the Purple Raiders. He and his wife have three children: Kaetlyn, Isabella and Rudy, and await the arrival of another child in February.

Campbell has a .700 winning percentage at Toledo, which is the third-best in school history behind Nick Saban (.818 in 1990) and Bill Orwig (.762 in 1946-47). Iowa State players stressed the importance of having a coach with a proven record of winning, but finding a coach with the same demeanor in the locker room as Rhoads was equally important.

'Really family-oriented,' Warren said of Campbell. 'He actually cares about you, really laid back, chill guy. I think he has every piece to the puzzle.'

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