Rhoads adopts ‘survivor’s’ mindset

AMES - As a young coach first starting out in the business, Paul Rhoads couldn't see it. He never imagined having days or seasons where success was sometimes hard to find.

It was a lesson he learned while working under Chuck Shelton, the former coach at Utah State and Pacific, where he learned what it means to be in the coaching profession - the part of being a survivor.

'I didn't understand it at the time, nor did I really appreciate it,” Rhoads said. 'I was young and aggressive, ‘It's not about that for me, I'm not going to have days or years like that,'

'I fully understand exactly what he meant now and appreciate him for surviving in the business as long as he did.”

Surviving, Rhoads said, is about staying the course, not panicking and completely altering philosophies. Persevering and continuing to teach a philosophy is what he has his eyes set on as Iowa State readies for its final two games this season.

Rhoads understands the highs and lows are a part of the profession. In his 26 years as a football coach, he's learned his responsibilities are to win games, but also to teach and develop players.

'The feedback I get from guys who have been through my tutelage not just here but other places, makes this a rewarding profession for me,” Rhoads said. 'Have I been through frustrating times before? Absolutely, and I will be in the future, but I'll also be back up at the highest, too.”

Playing and starting freshmen has been a component to the Cyclones' struggles this season, too. Rhoads has heard the saying that the amount of freshmen who play equates to the number of losses in a season.

Executing the plan takes more time for younger players to learn.

Without much time left in his ISU career, center Tom Farniok wants to end his career on a good note.

'The last two seasons haven't gone like we wanted, obviously,” Farniok said. 'They've kind of stunk, I'm not going to lie. We've got a chance to finish. Hopefully we can leave this place with a good feeling.”

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