Campbell named semifinalist for George Munger Coach of the Year Award

Oct 7, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell speaks to the media after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State Athletic Communications.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell is one of 16 semifinalists for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club.

The MFC National Selection Committee chose the 16 semifinalists. Three finalists will be picked on Dec. 12 and a winner will be announced on Dec. 27.

Campbell, who is in his second year as the ISU head man, has directed the Cyclones into the national spotlight after being picked to finish ninth in the preseason Big 12 Coaches poll.

Iowa State is currently 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Big 12 play heading into this weekend’s matchup at Baylor.

The Cyclones are the only team in the nation with two wins over AP Top-5 opponents (Oklahoma, TCU), doubling their career total of victories over top-5 teams in school history (1-56-2 entering the season).

Oklahoma, ranked No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff poll, suffered its only loss of the season to Iowa State in Norman, as the Cyclones defeated the Sooners, 38-31 for their first-ever triumph vs. a top-5 team on the road.

Iowa State appeared in the AP Top-25 poll for the first time since 2005 and earned its first-ever CFP ranking in school history.

Campbell also led the Cyclones to a perfect record in October (4-0), defeating four-straight league opponents for the first time since 2005, tying for the third-longest conference winning streak in school history.

Iowa State is bowl-eligible for the first time since 2012.

2017 George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Semifinalists
Matt Campbell, Iowa State
Paul Chryst, Wisconsin
Bill Clark, UAB
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
Scott Frost, UCF
Lane Kiffin, Florida Atlantic
Gus Malzahn, Auburn
Jeff Monken, Army
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State
Mark Richt, Miami
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma
Rich Rodriguez, Arizona
Nick Saban, Alabama
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Jeff Tedford, Fresno State

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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