REPORT: Matt Campbell to ISU nearly a done deal

 Earlier today, Cyclone Fanatic’s Chris Williams identified Toledo coach Matt Campbell as “the clubhouse leader” to replace Paul Rhoads at Iowa State.

 By this afternoon, "leader" morphed into “front-runner” at SI.com, where it’s been reported Campbell-to-ISU may be a done deal within 48 hours.

 And the pace is now picking up. 

 Campbell, 35, is the second-youngest coach in FBS, and could be reunited with Louis Ayeni, who just finished his second season as the Cyclones’ running backs coach. Before coming to ISU, Ayeni served on the Rockets’ staff as associate head coach and run game coordinator. 

 It all makes sense — but there’s more that potentially tied Campbell to the Cyclones’ program. 

 Obviously, Ayeni’s an important coaching figure for ISU star running back Mike Warren, who told the Ames Tribune after today’s season-closing 30-6 loss at West Virginia he hopes the Campbell-to-ISU news ends up ringing true.

 Stay tuned to CycloneFanatic.com for updates as they develop.