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Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard fought back tears as he talked about Matt Campbell leaving school to compete. Penn State head coach position.
Pollard, 60, said he was sad, but Campbell didn't have to Iowa anything.
“You're sad. But you know what, I understand,” Pollard told reporters Friday. “I've been doing this long enough. This job is hard and we make sacrifices that fans will never understand. We do. And he did an amazing job as our football coach, but he didn't get to do it in front of his family and friends. On other occasions he could have left, but he chose not to.”
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Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell reacts during the fourth quarter against BYU at Jack Trice Stadium. The game took place in Ames, Iowa on October 25, 2025. (IMAGN)
“However, Matt Campbell owes Iowa State nothing because he has done more than we ever could, ever dreamed he would do as our head coach. So yes, the page is turning. But none of us are forever. Life goes on, and that’s how I just looked at it… The sun will rise in the east, as it does every morning, and we will continue.”
Penn State announced Campbell as its new head coach on Friday, pending board approval on Monday.
Penn State to Hire Iowa State's Matt Campbell as Next Head Coach: Reports
Iowa State University athletic director Jamie Pollard speaks at a news conference in Ames, Iowa, September 24, 2019. (IMAGN)
The 46-year-old is the winningest coach in Iowa State history. Three-time Big 12 member Coach of the Year went 72-55 in 10 seasons with the Cyclones, including eight winning seasons, including this one going 8-4.
Campbell helped Iowa State reach two Big 12 Championship games.
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Before coaching at Iowa State, Campbell was the head coach at Toledo for five seasons, where he went 35-15.
Penn State hired Campbell nearly two months after the program fired James Franklin.
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