KJ gets contract extension

LindenCy

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That should answer some questions (not that he wasn't staying after the improvement this year).
 

buf87

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AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University announced today that it has extended the contract of wrestling coach Kevin Jackson, the former Cyclone All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist, through 2015.

"The progress that our young team made this year is exciting and very promising for the future," Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. "We look forward to continuing to assist Kevin and his staff in building a nationally competitive program that our fans and the institution expect."

The Cyclones more than doubled their dual win total from 2012, rejoined the national rankings and placed second at last week's Big 12 Championship, good for the school's best conference finish in four years. Iowa State qualified six wrestlers automatically, and could qualify several more this week, for the 2013 NCAA Championships it will host March 21-23 in Des Moines.

Iowa State's starting lineup this year included two seniors, one junior, four sophomores and three freshmen. Four of the underclassmen are nationally ranked.

"Kevin's student-athletes have performed well in the classroom, been outstanding ambassadors for our athletics program and really enjoy wrestling for Kevin and his staff," Pollard said.

In four years leading the Cyclones, Jackson has tutored three NCAA champions (Jake Varner, David Zabriskie and Jon Reader). Varner then went on to win an Olympic Gold medal last summer in London.

Full terms of the contract will be available at a later date.
 

Wesley

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Just in time things have improved. Good we have this extension out of the way.
 

MartyFine

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Very low standards for the wrestling program at this point. I think JP has officially decided that ISU has achieved the highest position it can in Director's Cup standings and is now solely focusing on money-making sports.
 

UNIGuy4Cy

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I dont know much about wrestling but we have never been this bad have we? This is kind of a huh move.
 

Judoka

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Two years make sense to me. Gives him time to prove he hasn't topped out while also keeping our options open if he has.
 

Al_4_State

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I'm not a big wrestling guy, nor do I follow it closely, but from what I understand the program has improved a lot over last year, and especially from the start of the year. Jackson seems to have some momentum, so why not give him two more years to see if he can continue the trend? Plus, Pollard has always been very loyal to his own hires. This shouldn't be too big of a surprise.
 

GoCubsGo

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Seems like a good move by ISU. Early in the season I thought KJ was done for, but the team has improved nicely. Congrats to KJ and his staff, hopefully this is the beginning of a great turn-around.
 

buf87

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I like this. I suggested it 6 weeks ago. I could see this team was developing some attitude and was bonding.
When we wrestled Ok State, we might have been out matched, but we battled.
When we wrestled E Michigan and Michigan State (weaker teams), we didn't just win, we dominated. (14 of 17 wins were bonus points)
 

Scott34

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So for those of you not in favor, answer this for me. Rhoads has not doubled his win total from last year nor the year before but people are ecstatic about his huge extension. KJ literally has to start from scratch with his squad, they double there win total from last year and you dont like that Pollard gave him an extension and only a 2 year extension at that. I dont care that football brings in more money. Wrestling is by far harder to make a team of of solid core of wrestlers since they dont put near the amount of people out there that football can. A university hires someone to improve the program. KJ has done that and there should not be any arguement that a 2 year extension wasnt deserved.
 

isudvm

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Not a wrestling fan, and agree we are improving, but this is the worse run of wrestling we have had at ISU. Wish we would have just paid the piper and Cael would have stayed. He has Penn State on a roll.
 

UNIGuy4Cy

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So for those of you not in favor, answer this for me. Rhoads has not doubled his win total from last year nor the year before but people are ecstatic about his huge extension. KJ literally has to start from scratch with his squad, they double there win total from last year and you dont like that Pollard gave him an extension and only a 2 year extension at that. I dont care that football brings in more money. Wrestling is by far harder to make a team of of solid core of wrestlers since they dont put near the amount of people out there that football can. A university hires someone to improve the program. KJ has done that and there should not be any arguement that a 2 year extension wasnt deserved.
I dont agree or disagree I just want to know if he has done enough from a wrestling fan's perspective. Rhoads is still going to bowl games and still a hot commodity. Is anyone coming after Jackson? Again dont know that answer.
 

CY9008

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I like the move too...solid improvement this year and KJ deserves 2 more years to coach up his recruits.

And yes I wish pollard would have ponied up the money to keep Cael and coach kindler..we'd have 2 #1 programs...
 

Judoka

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Not a wrestling fan, and agree we are improving, but this is the worse run of wrestling we have had at ISU. Wish we would have just paid the piper and Cael would have stayed. He has Penn State on a roll.

Improving Cael's salary wouldn't have made him stay.

Getting a few million from donors to build a wrestling only facility, then a million or so from donors a year to support a full stable of elite Senior wrestlers. And transporting the university to better recruiting grounds. That would have gotten Cael to stay.
 
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buf87

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UNIGuy - I think with the progress the team has made since the beginning of the year has me sold for a 2 year extension. I have been to all the home meets the last 3 years and to Nationals in St Louis and Omaha.

At the beginning of the year, some guys seemed content to just win or lose close. Now they are expecting to win, even when wrestling a top 10 guy. If they don't win, the opponent knows he was in a match.

Now it needs to continue.