Mark Mangino out as Iowa State offensive coordinator

AMES — Several weeks of internal disagreements regarding the Iowa State offense came to a head when coach Paul Rhoads announced a change in offensive coordinator.

Mark Mangino, who has guided the ISU offense for the past 1 1/2 seasons, is no longer with the team, Rhoads said in his Monday news conference. The two couldn't come to an agreement with the direction of the offense moving forward and a change was made early Monday morning.

Passing game coordinator Todd Sturdy will assume the role of offensive coordinator effective immediately.

'Mark and I could not get on the same page on a few important items,' Rhoads said. 'We tried to talk that through this morning in an effort to get us moving in a different direction. In the end, Mark was not interested in that. I wish that wasn't the case. But I respect and understand his conviction. I'd like to thank Mark for all that he's done for our football program and wish him well.'

Tommy Mangino — Mark's son — is the Iowa State wide receivers coach and will continue to be on staff through this transition, Rhoads said.

'Tommy's grown up in the profession and he understands the business side of it,' Rhoads said. 'Tommy was fantastic in his response. Proud of his response and ready to attack the work we have ahead of us.'

Rhoads would not say whether Mangino's departure is classified as a resignation or termination, but said Mangino could not accept changes to the offense during the last five games of this season and would not compromise. No decision has been made on who will assume the duty of tight ends coach.

ISU players weren't informed of the change at offensive coordinator prior to Rhoads' announcement and some took to Twitter to voice their surprise. Rhoads said he would address the team and 'look them in the eye' at 1:30 p.m. Monday to deliver a message.

WutOctober 26, 2015

Wut

— Oni Omoile (@Oni_Omoile)

Uh whatOctober 26, 2015

Uh what

— Cole Anderson (@Cole_Anderson86)

Wow.October 26, 2015

Wow.

— Scotty Schaffner (@KingSchaffner)

Offensive lineman Brock Dagel was in his apartment watching the press conference live when he heard the announcement and quickly opened a group text message with his teammates.

'It is surprising, but if there's one thing I've learned over my years here it's that things in college football move fast,' Dagel said. 'A lot of things happen.'

Dagel voiced his support in Sturdy, a Tipton native who has been with the program since 2012. He has been quarterbacks coach since 2014, was the offensive coordinator at Washington State from 2008-11 and the head coach at St. Ambrose, his alma mater.

'We'll work to get more efficient, which you're always working toward as an offense, especially going into the eighth game of the season with a new quarterback and leadership,' Rhoads said. 'Todd is the right guy in the right spot to provide that leadership.'

Change is also coming at the quarterback position after Rhoads confirmed sophomore Joel Lanning will start Saturday against Texas. Lanning played two and a half quarters Saturday against Baylor and was 12-for-17 for 144 yards and three touchdowns.

Rhoads said the decision to start Lanning was not the reason for the disagreements coming to a head, but the staff feels Lanning gives the Cyclones (2-5, 1-3) the best chance to win moving forward. Sturdy told Lanning and Sam Richardson of the quarterback change separately on Monday.

'He's taught me everything pretty much,' Lanning said of Sturdy. 'He's been here since I've been here. I had Coach (Courtney Messingham) first when I got here and Coach Sturdy took over. He's pretty much taught me everything I know now."