Iowa State, Matt Campbell agree to new contract

AMES — Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell agreed to a new six-year contract worth $22.5 million last night, according to a release from the Iowa State athletic department.

The new contract pays Campbell $3.5 million per year, up from $2.1 million the previous contract paid the second-year coach.

The athletic department also agreed to provide an additional $1 million for incremental staff raises.

'I want to thank Jamie (Pollard) for respecting my desire to hold off these conversations until our regular season ended and also for being proactive in supporting the needs of my staff and team as we build a legacy at Iowa State University,' Campbell said in a statement. 'The commitment that he and Iowa State have made to us — including some exciting facility enhancements on the horizon — has been critical to my vision for our team going forward.'

Campbell went 7-5 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12 in 2017. He upset two top-5 teams and secured Iowa State's first bowl berth since 2012.

'Matt and I agreed during the season to wait until after his last regular-season game to have these discussions,' Pollard said. 'Matt, Erica (Campbell), Ellen (Pollard) and I met last night at our house and had a wonderful discussion about what matters to their family, their staff and our program. It is awesome that we share common values about loyalty, hard work and family.'

Campbell turned around an Iowa State football program that only won eight games over three seasons (2013-15).

In his inaugural season Campbell only won three games, but steadily improved. In 2017, Campbell was able to show what his vision for Iowa State football was. The Cyclones built their season and success on the details and situational football.

'We are just getting started at Iowa State,' said Campbell, who turns 38 on Wednesday. 'To see our culture rapidly developing in concert with some excellent incoming recruits, we are developing a foundation for a program on the brink of success. Most importantly, I want to continue this journey and take Iowa State and its fan base to levels it has never reached. Now, it's time to hit the recruiting trail and continue to build on what has been achieved this season.'

Iowa State played steady, mistake-free football, not losing a fumble all season. Iowa State also led the Big 12 in turnover margin at plus-11. Campbell was also able to go from quarterback to quarterback without missing a beat. Iowa State used three quarterbacks in 2017, all three winning at least one game. Linebacker Joel Lanning also played quarterback in spot situations.

The ability to grow a sub-mediocre football program into a Big 12 contender in just two seasons put Campbell front and center in coaching rumors. ESPN's March Schlabach reported that Campbell's previous buyout of $9.2 million was too steep for Tennessee.

'I could not be more excited for our fans and our student-athletes to have someone like Matt leading our program,' Pollard said. 'He stands behind what he says and I look forward to helping him fulfill his dream of making Iowa State football one of the best programs in the nation.'

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