Jackson Pence

My thoughts on Matt Campbell to Penn State:

I’m not going to lie — the last 36 hours have been gut‑wrenching and saddening to say the least. The man who lifted Iowa State Football to heights we never thought possible is gone in the blink of an eye, and that man is Matt Campbell.

It’s impossible to fully capture what Campbell has meant to Iowa State since arriving in Ames in 2015. He is, without question, the greatest coach to ever lead an athletic program at Iowa State University. In 10 years, he became the all‑time winningest coach in school history, took two teams to the Big 12 Title game when no one believed it could be done, delivered a school‑record 11 wins in 2024, and so much more.

He and his staff brought in incredible players, coaches, and families who forever changed the fabric of Cyclone football. We got to witness unforgettable moments: the 2017 team that put Iowa State on the national scale, the 2020 squad that shattered expectations, and the 2024 team that will forever be remembered as the best in school history. And through every storm in college athletics, Campbell stayed. He chose Iowa State when he could have left countless times, and for that, #cyclONEnation and I will always be grateful.

Yes, it hurts to see him leave for Penn State. But more than anything, I feel appreciation. He owes Iowa State nothing, and we owe him everything. His loyalty, his passion, his belief in this place — they were second to none. I’ll be cheering for him and his staff in Happy Valley, and I hope they reach the mountaintop someday.

Thank you @ISUMattCampbell. Thank you for all the countless memories and moments you brought to our lives. I can't wait to see the statue we build for you in Ames, Iowa, someday.

But as one chapter closes, another begins. A new era is here in Ames with Jimmy Rogers taking the reins as head coach. The foundation Campbell built is strong, and now it’s Rogers’ time to lead the program forward. The future of Cyclone football is still bright, and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes us all.

Thanks for following along to all of our coverage @cyclonefanatic. We will bring it to you all in the coming days. Love you, Cyclone Nation. You guys are what is still great about college sports. Best fanbase in the country, hands down.

📸: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Three years ago today, I started at Cyclone Fanatic.

It’s honestly hard to put into words what these last three years have meant to me. Getting to cover Iowa State, talk sports and do something I’ve dreamed about doing for a long time is something I’ll never take for granted.

But as much as I love the job itself, the people are what have made the last three years so special.

@ChrisMWilliams: Thank you for taking a chance on me. Three years ago, you gave me an opportunity that changed my life, and I’ll always be grateful for the trust you put in me. You gave me a chance to chase a dream and prove that I belonged doing this. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to fully thank you for that. I’ve never been more grateful to have someone like you to look up to during my career.

@JakeBrendTV: You’ve become so much more than someone I work with. You’re like a big brother to me and one of my great friends. I’m thankful for all the conversations, laughs, advice and everything in between. Having someone like you in my corner has meant more to me than you probably realize.

@JacquelineCord: Thank you for always being there. Whether I need support, someone to talk to or just somebody to make me laugh, you’re always one of those people I know I can count on. I’m incredibly thankful for our friendship and for how much fun you bring to what we do. You are my wrestling go-to.

@ROBWGRAY: I’m a better writer because of you. You’ve constantly pushed me to look at stories differently, think outside the box and never settle for what’s easy. I’ve learned so much from you over these three years, and I’m incredibly thankful for your willingness to help me grow.

@AidenJWyatt: I probably wouldn’t know half of what I know about podcasting and producing without you. You took the time to teach me, answer my questions and help me become comfortable doing something that was completely new to me. I’ll always appreciate that, but even more, I’m thankful for the friendship that came with it.

I really do love this group. I’m lucky I get to work with them, but I’m even luckier to call them family.

Can’t wait to continue covering Iowa State for you all. Go Clones ‼️🌪️🚨

That’s my goat @georgesniang

Get ready for the Golden Eagles and the Cyclones with my preview!

How can you not be romantic about College Basketball