Head Coach Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell, the second-longest tenured coach in the Big 12 and just the second in school history to coach 100 games, has changed the culture and invigorated the Iowa State football program since taking over as head coach prior to the 2016 season.

Campbell, who owns the second-best winning percentage in school history (52.5 pct.), enters the 2024 season just four wins shy of Dan McCarney’s school record of 56 victories.

He initiated his rebuilding plan and laid the foundation by imploring his team to “Trust The Process.” His team listened, sparking Iowa State to its most fruitful periods in the program’s history.

National rankings and bowl berths have become the norm thanks to Campbell’s leadership. The three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020) has led the Cyclones to winning records and bowl games in six of the last seven seasons, including a school record five straight from 2017-21, and regular appearances in the national rankings.

In 2020, Campbell led the Cyclones to a first-place finish in the final Big 12 regular-season standings, a spot in the Big 12 Championship game and a New Year’s Six bowl game, all program firsts.

The 2020 Cyclone squad was one of the best in school history. With a 34-17 win over Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, the Cyclones claimed their first victory in a New Year’s Six bowl. ISU broke the school record for conference wins (8) and tied the school mark for overall victories (9).

Campbell’s run at ISU has caught the nation’s attention with its drastic improvement, placing Iowa State football into the national rankings and the college football spotlight. Iowa State has appeared in the AP Top 25 poll in five of the last seven seasons.

Campbell, who has fostered a player-driven atmosphere with his contagious personality, owns 39.3 percent of Iowa State’s all-time victories over ranked teams, defeating 11 opponents ranked in the nation’s Top 25 since 2017.

In 2021, Campbell notched his fourth victory over a Top 10 opponent (Oklahoma State). ISU owned just eight victories all-time over Top 10 teams prior to his arrival.

Records have been shattered in the Campbell era on offense and defense, including total offense (444.3 in 2019) and sacks (33 in 2018, 2021). His teams play with precision on both sides of the ball, boasting a defense ranked among the top three in the Big 12 in scoring defense in each of the last seven seasons and three of the top four scoring offenses in school history. Campbell’s 2022 squad became just the third team in league history to lead in scoring defense, rushing defense, passing defense and total defense.

Campbell is the only coach in Iowa State history to defeat every team he’s faced in the league at least once at home and on the road during his Cyclone tenure and produced six of Iowa State’s seven winning seasons in Big 12 Conference history (1996-present).

The Cyclones have played as a ranked team a school-record 25 times since 2017 and Campbell has 38 victories vs. Big 12 competition, the most by a head coach vs. league teams in school history. Campbell owns 46.3 percent of the school’s all-time wins vs. Big 12 teams (1996-present).

Since 2017, Iowa State has recorded 36 Big 12 wins, ranking among the top half of the league during that time.

Through recruiting, retention and development, Iowa State football players have received numerous national awards and All-America honors in Campbell’s tenure. Running back Breece Hall was ISU’s first unanimous All-American in school history in 2020 and was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in both 2020 and 2021. Tight end Charlie Kolar became the first three-time All-American in school history and was the recipient of the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best scholar-athlete.

Most recently, T.J. Tampa earned All-America honors after a standout senior season at cornerback. Tampa is just the third defensive back in school history and second under Campbell to earn All-America accolades.

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Coaching Staff