Nov 28, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads watches from the sidelines during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Former Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads is set to join one of the nation’s most successful programs.
The Ankeny native is set to join Ryan Day’s staff at Ohio State as an analyst for the 2021 season, according to a report from Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm.
Rhoads spent seven years as the head coach in Ames and elevated the program to new heights early in his tenure while qualifying for bowl games in three of his first four seasons at the helm. He led the program to a win in the 2009 Insight Bowl while compiling a 32-55 overall record and notching memorable wins such as the upsets of Nebraska in 2009 and Oklahoma State in 2011.
Since being replaced by Matt Campbell at Iowa State following the 2015 season, Rhoads spent two years on Bret Bielema’s staff at Arkansas, first as defensive backs coach then defensive coordinator, coached defensive backs under Chip Kelly at UCLA then was Kevin Sumlin’s defensive coordinator this past season at Arizona.
Rhoads was a graduate assistant with the Buckeyes during the 1991 season. This past year, the Buckeyes won the Big Ten and advanced all the way to the College Football Playoff championship game where they were pummeled by Alabama.