I coached collegiately 30 years in a really strong NCAA program in Ohio, and one thing I know for certain. Winning is learned. Matt Campbell learned how to win as a player and he has brought a winning attitude to ISU. What he and his staff has done is SO INCREDIBLY HARD. The ESPN article from yesterday hit the nail on the head, as the pain of the last couple of years shaped this team to work so hard to ensure success this season as we did something ISU football has never accomplished.
For all you ISU Eeyore fans, I feel sad for you, as you just don't get how hard it is to do what all the coaches do at ISU in all our programs. We got 10 wins this season. We may never see that again! I sure hope we do, but we all know how hard it is. This year's team learned how to win, and today our team is learning that while winning is hard, winning a Championship is a whole other level of hard and how to win.
While I was hoping we could take a big step forward today by winning our first Big XII championship, we took what looks like a big step backwards. As a former coach, I believe we still took a baby step forward today despite the score, as we needed to be in this moment to truly understand how hard it is to win a championship (Yes, I know we were there in 2020). Whether you believe it or not, today will hopefully pay benefits to our program someday down the road WHEN we get here again, as that future team will understand it takes even more to get 'the ship.'
Regardless, I am so proud of this team. I'm so proud to be a Cyclone. I wish all of us were. Remember, whether they make big bucks with NIL deals, get an okay NIL deal, or don't get an NIL deal at all, these are kids learning life skills on their way to adulthood while wearing ISU on their jersey. I am so proud, and I will wear my Cyclone gear all day today to celebrate the pride I have from my time in Ames and my affinity for all the awesome things ISU did for me and still means to me.
Go Clones and good luck in your bowl game!