This week has been as predictive as Matt Campbell’s scruffy black ball cap and the play-call card dangling from his waist – that Iowa State’s coach has been on everyone’s social media candidate list to replace Penn State’s fired James Franklin. Ho hum. Florida State, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Ohio State. Detroit Lions. USC.
Been there, done that.
This “everyone’s an expert” thing has accompanied Campbell throughout his successful nine-plus Cyclones seasons. It’s become as much a part of his life, as his all-black game attire – and coaching his kids’ summer sports.
So, the Campbell-Penn State chatter that’s been prevalent throughout social media since Sunday, shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
And if you’re curious about why he didn’t have his usual Tuesday press conference -- he doesn’t have them during off-weeks. No reading between the lines on that one.
Like most coaches, he’d likely dodge the issue, anyhow, by wisely saying his sole concentration these days is fixing a two-game losing streak. And that’s the way it should be. Meanwhile others can, and will, speculate all they want.
“You have success, and everybody wants to move you along and move you through,” Campbell told me during a 2019 summertime one-on-one. “That’s never even been remotely why I got into this. My goal was never to become a Division I football coach; I didn’t aspire to be that. At one point, I was like, “Man, I want to be the head coach at a place like my alma mater — Mount Union.”
Iowa State has upped his annual salary from $2 million a year when he was hired in 2016, to $5 million, according to the USA Today coaching salary database. Athletic facilities have improved significantly during Campbell’s 10 seasons.
Under Campbell, the Cyclones have played in two Big 12 Conference championship games during the past five seasons. Under Campbell and his staff, Iowa State has had 15 NFL Draft picks since receiver Hakeem Butler went to Arizona in the 2019 draft. Those 15 are as many Cyclones selections, combined, over 17 drafts before the culture, recruiting, coaching and player development took an abrupt turn for the better.
It’s easy to see why he’s an annual entry on WAG coaching lists. Maybe someday, one of those lists might even be accurate. Maybe not.
“Coach and I have a great relationship, and let’s face it, if he’s not on people’s lists, then someone’s not doing their job,” athletics director Jamie Pollard said on the coaches’ radio show in 2021. “I guess it’ll never change, but your actions speak louder than your words.”
In 2017, I wrote that red flag coaching vacancies in which Campbell could have interest included Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Penn State.
So far, Iowa State has dodged them all.
That was before NIL – before major boosters some perceived powerhouse schools threw gobs of money to purchase players and high-end assistant coaches. That was before those payments resulted in fans’ out-of-this-world expectations, that some coaches embrace and others don’t.
That was when coaches were at the center of college football’s universe – before they swapped places with powerbrokers so rich, that a $50 million coaching buyout is pocket change.
Some coaches like this new big-business environment. Others, like I presume Campbell, just want to coach.
Frankly, lists are just that – they’re speculation. The only list worth a darn is the one an AD keeps in his top desk drawer.
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The Iowa Everywhere staff gives their best shot at predicting top local interest weekend games. And for those who care, our three-week straight-up score is: Williams 32-11, Peterson 32-11, Hassel 30-13, Van Winkle 29-14, Downs 29-14, Brend 29-14. For entertainment purposes only. Of course.
PENN STATE at IOWA
Randy Peterson:The Hawkeyes have lost two one-possession games, one against CFP-bound Indiana, and the other against an Iowa State team that, when healthy, is Top 15-worthy. This game was going to be tough for Penn State, even before the coach was fired and the quarterback got hurt. Iowa 34, Penn State 17
Chris Williams:I think the Hawkeyes roll here. Penn State has quit. Rookie QB on the road in a Kinnick night game. This spells bloodbath to me.Iowa 27, Penn State 13
Chris Hassel:Kinnick at night against a backup Penn State QB with little to no experience? Give me the Hawkeyes.Iowa 20, Penn State 14.
Andrew Downs:It might actually hurt Iowa that James Franklin isn’t leading Penn State into Kinnick, but one team is on the rise and the other is falling. Gronowski will look healthier, the defense continues to impress, and Iowa finds a way to get a once unlikely win.Iowa 28, Penn State 24.
Matt Van Winkle: All eyes will be on this game to see how Penn State responds after the firing of Franklin. Iowa's defense is coming off a shutout of Wisconsin and welcomes freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer to Kinnick for the first start of his career. Good luck, kid. Iowa takes an early lead and holds on to win it. Iowa 24, Penn State 17
Jake Brend:I’m a believer in the new coach theory, dead cat bounce… whatever you want to call it. However, when it’s a team that is riddled with NFL players who stayed at Penn State to win a National Championship and no longer have that chance, I’m less of a believer in the theory. I don’t see a backup quarterback stepping into a hornet’s nest and winning. Iowa covers and then some. Iowa 23, Penn State 14
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UTAH at BYU
Randy Peterson: Utah 27, BYU 23
Chris Williams: Utah 24, BYU 23
Chris Hassel: Utah 30, BYU 20
Andrew Downs: BYU 31, Utah 30
Matt Van Winkle: Utah 31, BYU 28
Jake Brend: Utah 24, BYU 20
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TEXAS TECH at ARIZONA STATE
Randy Peterson: Texas Tech 27, Arizona State 24
Chris Williams: Texas Tech 31, Arizona State 17
Chris Hassel: Texas Tech 42, Arizona State 17
Andrew Downs: Texas Tech 38, Arizona State 28
Matt Van Winkle: Texas Tech 42, Arizona State 21
Jake Brend: Texas Tech 38, Arizona State 21
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WASHINGTON at MICHIGAN
Randy Peterson: Michigan 30, Washington 27
Chris Williams: Michigan 28, Washington 21
Chris Hassel: Michigan 23, Washington 20
Andrew Downs: Michigan 24, Washington 14
Matt Van Winkle: Michigan 28, Washington 17
Jake Brend: Michigan 26, Washinton 17
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USC at NOTRE DAME
Randy Peterson: Notre Dame 31, USC 27
Chris Williams: Notre Dame 31, USC 30
Chris Hassel: Notre Dame 31, USC 24
Andrew Downs: USC 30, Notre Dame 28
Matt Van Winkle: USC 27, Notre Dame 24
Jake Brend: Notre Dame 34, USC 30
(Columnist Randy Peterson, a past Iowa Sportswriter of the Year winner, can be reached at randypete4846@gmail.com or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)
Randy Peterson