Stress merges with excitement as Iowa State football coach Jimmy Rogers' roster rebuild nears completion

AMES — It’s been a whirlwind 47 days for Iowa State head football coach Jimmy Rogers since he accepted the job on Dec. 5.

And those nerve-wracking days have been accompanied by occasional sleepless nights as Rogers and his staff methodically rebuilt the Cyclones’ roster.

The stress receded as ISU’s list of players secured for the 2026 season and beyond finally solidified, revealing another emotional state rooted in the competitive spirit.

“My wife (Haley) says I love this,” Rogers said Wednesday in a one-on-one interview. “She says I love the stress and anxiety. And you know what? I probably do. At times, it’s very frustrating with so many things that happen, but at the same time, you can’t dwell on anything. You’ve gotta figure out the solution, and it’s probably the problem solving of everything that I enjoy.”

As for those numbers-based “problems” …

Rogers and most of his current staff faced similar ones a year ago at Washington State when 63 players leaped into the portal after he took that job. Nearly 50 Cyclones chose to transfer after Rogers took over in Ames — including several key starters. But Rogers didn’t take a strictly talent-based approach for either rebuild.

“We thought fit,” he said. “And then, obviously, when you start to put it together you have to balance a roster, and this one came together slightly differently than Washington State’s in the simple fact that this one has better space in between ages. If anything, we’re younger in certain spots. We know that they’re gonna develop and be great players because of prior experience, but overall, pretty much at every position, there are FBS players (who) have (had) significant playing time that we feel like will fit the system. There are lower level, whether it be Group of 6 or FCS football players (who) not only had a ton of reps, but they were All-Americans.”

Sprinkle in an array of developmental players and a 2026 freshman class that includes eight early enrollees, and Rogers is convinced he’s assembled a team that can be competitive immediately, but is also built for future success.

Nothing’s guaranteed, though, and Rogers is well aware that fans’ forecasts for year one with him at the helm will vary widely.

“I think everybody’s just a fanatic about their team, right?” Rogers said. “They’re either optimistic about what we can do, or they’re a 'Debbie Downer’ of what it’s gonna take to rebuild it. I don’t really live in those worlds. I live in the day to day of what can I do now to improve the lives of those who I get to work with, get to coach. You’re switching a language. You’re speaking a different language. That’s its own animal.”

So is building an organization, establishing structure, and compelling players to buy in to Rogers and his staff’s vision. Relationships must emerge organically. They can’t be manufactured.

“That takes time in itself,” Rogers said. “So I think we have a great staff to do that. They’re genuine people; authentic to who they are. I let them be that way and I think that’s how you get the best out of players.”

As for those players, Rogers has brought in 56 transfers and counting — including at least 15 from Washington State — to align with the incoming freshmen and returning Cyclones such as tight end Keaton Roskop, quarterback Connor Moberly, and defensive tackle Zaimir Hawk, among several others.

Retaining clutch placekicker Kyle Konrardy also became a top priority for Rogers.

“He had a lot of interest to leave,” Rogers said. “I’m just sure happy he decided to stay. A kicker’s a big part of any team’s success. You take them for granted until you don[’t have one and the fact that we walked into a place that has a great one — one that will have a career in the NFL doing it if he stays on track — (is) huge plus.”

So is assembling a promising and deep offensive line largely via the portal. That’s one accomplishment Rogers and his staff take particular pride in because of its high degree of difficulty.

“If anything was shocking about the whole process, it’s how fast we got the O-line together,” Rogers said. “O-lineman are hard to find, but ones that have had quite a bit of playing experience at the highest of levels to ones that are youthful — and, you know, we’ve got a couple (FCS) All-Americans in here. That doesn’t just happen. You just don’t get them, but they came here.”

Hence the excitement and stress. Hence the “love” for problem solving. The whirlwind continues to swirl, but now it’s spinning toward winter workouts, spring ball, and, eventually, Rogers' inaugural season as ISU’s head coach.

“I got hired to do a job,” he said. “I’m not gonna change my standard of what I expect out of a program to do based off of the situation that I chose to be a part of. Nobody should feel bad for us. It’s our job to get the team ready to play. Does it take boldness? It takes clear vision and a belief that you can do it. I have that. Otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the job. I’m excited about what we can do.”

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com