Rocco joining the Transfer Portal

[cyclonemagic]

That's a dumb tweet. He should have stopped at the first part.

While I did not care for that tweet, it reminded me of the weirdness of the Campbell departure. There was no time for a grieving process. Normally, when coaches leave, the school, players, and fans learn of the news and then wait for the hiring of a new coach. In the past Jamie has spent a few days to a couple of weeks to hire a new coach. This gives the fans and players time to process the coaching departure and prepare for the new hire. On this forum, we would have many discussions under several threads speculating on who will be the next coach, which players stays or leaves, etc. By the time the new coach is announced, we had time process the coaching departure and are ready to welcome the new coach by the time it is announced. I have to admit that this is a comforting process as it helped me move on to the next phase. That's kind of how life works (according to me). I had this similar grieving process in my time as a Cyclone fan for prior coaching departures beginning with coach Donnie Duncan. This time it was different. We did not want Matt Campbell to leave and we did not have the luxury of a coaching departure grieving stage as Jamie announced the hiring of Jimmy Rogers at the time Campbell was meeting with his staff and players (and I fully support that). I think this led to some "in the moment" tweets from Chris, Rocco, and others. In the age of social media, many tend to post their emotions and thoughts in the moment. I am an older guy and never understood or embraced that and think people need to consider what they are saying in public. But I acknowledge that I am somewhat old school here.

 

[GP4ISU]

This is a hit to his legacy, no way it’s not. He could have been a legend if he would have stuck around and led this team to a bowl game and was the bridge to the next coaching staff. He is just another guy now. I’ll take Sage over him.

Absolutely. Just chasing a bag. Meaningless to me now.

 

[JEFF420]

you people are better than this cope. its not personal. its business. we raid smaller schools. its the same thing. just enjoy the ride

 

[clonedude]

First off... I've said it before, but I'll say it again... CW, and I think the entire staff at CF, allowed themselves to get WAY too close to CMC and his coaching staff. It is what it is, and it's fine btw... but definitely does not lead to great journalism. There is NOTHING wrong with men getting emotional at all... I'm all for that honestly... but when a "journalist" bawls at a coach leaving... that means you've allowed yourself to get too close to be effective at your job.

An example of that... is CW, and Jake Brend, and I think maybe Blum too (?) all thinking and hoping for Mouser to get the head coaching job at ISU when Matt left. That is not serious thinking right there IMO... that would have been a bad hire. That is thinking with your heart, not your head. And I'm not saying Mouser could someday end up back here at ISU as our head coach... he could if he proves himself worthy... but that would have been completely irresponsible on JP's part to hire Mouser.

As for Rocco... I will always appreciate everything he did for ISU and the community here... such a great ambassador for ISU! With that being said... this is 1000% nothing but a business... and I'm not certain if keeping Rocco for one more year would have been worth the cost... depending on the cost of course. He's a very good QB, but not elite by any means.

Next year might just be somewhat of a rebuilding year for us obviously. Doesn't mean we can't make a bowl, etc, but I'm not seeing a whole new staff and a lot of different players able to come in here in year one and get to 8+ wins or anything. So we somewhat need to look to the future at this point, and Rocco was not going to be the future. However, I think possibly Manske could be. I'm really hoping we can keep him! Put a little extra money there if you have to IMO. He fits into Rogers' system a lot more than Rocco anyway. So maybe it's best to just rip off the band aid now and build for 2-4 years from now.

I'm really hoping we can keep as many of our two deep OL... that's where the game is won... especially in Rogers' system.

 

[HFCS]

View attachment 164070

Omg does he have a covid year left? Bring him in.

 

[GP4ISU]

You're right. It's just 'business'. And that is why I don't like it anymore. No loyalty. No dedication. Those are things when I was in college, stood for something. Let's be clear. I'm not bitter. I'm just simply stating that my fandom is stuck with the way things used to happen; bowl games spread across the holidays. But the CFP, the portal, NIL, AWOL players, etc have absolutely demolished my interest. I'm worried that basketball is next on the extermination list of media greed.

I’m with you. I know I’m emotional, but I’m thinking of just walking away. I don’t want to be a AAA farm club for the B10 and SEC. And I don’t want to go through a Coach gutting our program every 3 years. I’m too damn old.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

Also, do people want access insider info or journalism? Developing friendships get you access. If I want journalism, I'd subscribe to the DMR.

I never said don’t develop relationships. But there’s a way to handle and say things in front of us fans that don't have those friendships. It’s okay to show emotion, but when you’re calling for Mouser who obviously is nowhere close to being ready for a head coach just because he’s in your friend group and get upset when he doesn’t get it just doesn’t sit well with most.

 

[GP4ISU]

you people are better than this cope. its not personal. its business. we raid smaller schools. its the same thing. just enjoy the ride

I don’t like that either. I don’t want a business. I want a team, not a new roster every year.

 

[AlaCyclone]

Campbell got the sloppy sixths.

That's nasty!

 

[JEFF420]

I don’t like that either. I don’t want a business. I want a team, not a new roster every year.

i understand that, but its out of the tube. i will also probably stop paying attention

 

[LeaningCy]

That's a dumb tweet. He should have stopped at the first part.

Ideally, yes, but his choice of analogy is pretty indicative of how his relationship with the program and its people differs from most of the people on this website.

Most of us would probably be more likely to compare our fandom to being married to the university, not the coach. We choose to spend our time and money here which is different from the people who are around for the paycheck, whether that is a member of the AD, a coach, a website publisher, or now, a player.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

MC never gets the statue now. That was part of the calculus when deciding to leave. He will always be welcomed back but he doesn't get to be celebrated or have a place of honor like that here.

Hopefully someday he’ll return ala Mac. He’ll go into the HOF and should.

 

[18or36Cyclone]

First off... I've said it before, but I'll say it again... CW, and I think the entire staff at CF, allowed themselves to get WAY too close to CMC and his coaching staff. It is what it is, and it's fine btw... but definitely does not lead to great journalism. There is NOTHING wrong with men getting emotional at all... I'm all for that honestly... but when a "journalist" bawls at a coach leaving... that means you've allowed yourself to get too close to be effective at your job.

An example of that... is CW, and Jake Brend, and I think maybe Blum too (?) all thinking and hoping for Mouser to get the head coaching job at ISU when Matt left. That is not serious thinking right there IMO... that would have been a bad hire. That is thinking with your heart, not your head. And I'm not saying Mouser could someday end up back here at ISU as our head coach... he could if he proves himself worthy... but that would have been completely irresponsible on JP's part to hire Mouser.

As for Rocco... I will always appreciate everything he did for ISU and the community here... such a great ambassador for ISU! With that being said... this is 1000% nothing but a business... and I'm not certain if keeping Rocco for one more year would have been worth the cost... depending on the cost of course. He's a very good QB, but not elite by any means.

Next year might just be somewhat of a rebuilding year for us obviously. Doesn't mean we can't make a bowl, etc, but I'm not seeing a whole new staff and a lot of different players able to come in here in year one and get to 8+ wins or anything. So we somewhat need to look to the future at this point, and Rocco was not going to be the future. However, I think possibly Manske could be. I'm really hoping we can keep him! Put a little extra money there if you have to IMO. He fits into Rogers' system a lot more than Rocco anyway. So maybe it's best to just rip off the band aid now and build for 2-4 years from now.

I'm really hoping we can keep as many of our two deep OL... that's where the game is won... especially in Rogers' system.

I understand where you’re coming from. But you also have to understand that CW and BB are more than just “journalists”. These guys LOVE Iowa State. That’s why CF has been so successful. And because of that, of course they got close to the Campbell staff… it is the best staff we have ever had. And CW showing his immediate emotions… it’s because this is the most success we have ever had. It’s been (and hopefully will continue to be) an incredible run for Iowa State. They live and breathe this stuff. It hurt, and I understand given their passion. Journalists come and go. CW and BB aren’t going anywhere with their love for the Clones

 

[JUKEBOX]

Put in Tiller!

My favorite part of this meme was when Tiller was actually in, threw a pick or an incompletion, and people would start screaming, “Put in Tiller!!” anyway lol

 

[clonedude]

I’m with you. I know I’m emotional, but I’m thinking of just walking away. I don’t want to be a AAA farm club for the B10 and SEC. And I don’t want to go through a Coach gutting our program every 3 years. I’m too damn old.

I totally get it. I don't care nearly as much as I used to either, but I still do obviously.

I'm just coming to grips of accepting this as the way it is now for places like ISU. Don't allow yourself to get too attached to any coaches or players... because when push comes to shove they care about themselves and not so much the school or the fans of the school they play for.

Rocco obviously CARED about ISU and the community... I'm not saying that... so did Matt Campbell... but in the end... they still care more about themselves and their own futures... which isn't necessarily wrong. We all just hope that ISU and the fans mean more to them.

 

[NWICY]

Chris says he’ll cheer for PSU and buy a jersey if Rocco goes there

CW has some weird takes, but I'm guessing him and Campbell were friends. No idea just guessing

 

[Peter]

Hope he has an awesome 5th year at Penn state. Manske is much more suited for Roehl’s offense. Big guy who can run it with a great arm. I hope he doesn’t hit the portal too. Roger’s no. 1 priority should be keeping Manske in Ames.

 

[clonedude]

I understand where you’re coming from. But you also have to understand that CW and BB are more than just “journalists”. These guys LOVE Iowa State. That’s why CF has been so successful. And because of that, of course they got close to the Campbell staff… it is the best staff we have ever had. And CW showing his immediate emotions… it’s because this is the most success we have ever had. It’s been (and hopefully will continue to be) an incredible run for Iowa State. They live and breathe this stuff. It hurt, and I understand given their passion. Journalists come and go. CW and BB aren’t going anywhere with their love for the Clones

I get all that... I really do... but it does make it really hard to do your job objectively. If you believe Mouser was ready to take over the entire reins of a Big 12 level football program and everything that goes with that... you aren't thinking rationally... but instead you are wanting what is best for your buddy.

If making a poor head coach hire is being done to keep someone like Rocco here for ONE more year... you aren't thinking.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

CW has some weird takes, but I'm guessing him and Campbell were friends. No idea just guessing

CW is very close friends with basically that whole staff+many players

 

[BCClone]

I get all that... I really do... but it does make it really hard to do your job objectively. If you believe Mouser was ready to take over the entire reins of a Big 12 level football program and everything that goes with that... you aren't thinking rationally... but instead you are wanting what is best for your buddy.

If making a poor head coach hire is being done to keep someone like Rocco here for ONE more year... you aren't thinking.

All you have to do is think back to the reason we hired Wayne Morgan.