Pollard announces his retirement

[Cybone]

https://cyclones.com/news/2026/7/10...-athletics-jamie-pollard-announces-retirement

Search starts in the fall it seems.

In my opinion, he’s been key for a lot of the success at ISU as well as the conference. Big shoes to fill.

 

[Havs]

Woah.

 

[KnappShack]

Good for JP

I want a book out of that guy

 

[CyCrazy]

Big shoes to fill.

 

[Cloneon]

Nothing lasts forever except his legacy. I'm glad to hear it'll be a transition.

 

[CYdTracked]

I was guessing he wouldn't retire until after CyTown was finished as that is kind of his final masterpiece for improvements. Happy for him but at the same time sad to see an incredible tenure ending. Definitely let his mark at ISU and something needs to be named after him at some point. This is going to be a big hire as the next AD has some BIG shoes to fill.

 

[GrayerClone]

Jamie has been the most important figure in Cyclone athletics over the last 20 years.

Better give Brian Hardin a call

 

[jcf817]

Maybe TJ can help with the search. He's on a pretty good winning streak.

 

[MJ29]

Jamie has been the most important figure in Cyclone athletics over the last 20 years.

Better give Brian Hardin a call

He should be the first call.

 

[FarmerCy1]

I was guessing he wouldn't retire until after CyTown was finished as that is kind of his final masterpiece for improvements. Happy for him but at the same time sad to see an incredible tenure ending. Definitely let his mark at ISU and something needs to be named after him at some point. This is going to be a big hire as the next AD has some BIG shoes to fill.

I’m guessing given how annoyed he seemed to be with Rev Sharing and the new world of college athletics, I’m guessing CMC leaving and the dealing with 18-21 year olds who were more concerned about how big their paycheck is sped up his retirement timeline. I’m guessing his plan was to stay until CyTown was done, but the last year moved things up.

 

[RING4CY]

When you leave somewhere, always leave it better than you found it.

Jamie Pollard definitely did just that.

 

[cycloneworld]

Even with his quirks, he’s an ISU legend. Think about were ISU was 22 years ago and the things Pollard had to navigate.

With rumors that Cook is very hands on with athletics, wonder if this rubbed Jamie the wrong way as I think everyone figured he’d stay to see the construction of CyTown.

A well-earned retirement and hope he sticks around Ames.

 

[Cy4Lifer]

Thank you Jamie! It’s been a helluva ride! A forever great Cyclone! I will never forget the eastern Iowa Cyclone billboard! Classic!

 

[Cyclonepride]

Jamie has been incredible. He was the perfect guy for a school with limited resources and the success under his watch has been pretty amazing. This will be a huge hire.

 

[BCClone]

I’m guessing given how annoyed he seemed to be with Rev Sharing and the new world of college athletics, I’m guessing CMC leaving and the dealing with 18-21 year olds who were more concerned about how big their paycheck is sped up his retirement timeline. I’m guessing his plan was to stay until CyTown was done, but the last year moved things up.

Cytown is done as far as the AD is concerned. It’s now the developer that has to finish it.

 

[mj4cy]

He deserves to be on the Mt Rushmore of Iowa State athletics. Has done so much with so much less than others have had.

Going forward, probably need someone that really understands the current/future landscape of college athletics.

 

[inCyteful]

Wow, knew this day was coming but still sad to see it arrive.

As said previously - one of the most if not the most influential figure in ISU sports history.

I have to think the current landscape and direction of college athletics weighed a lot on him.

Anxious times now but I am not sure there is a college president other than David Cook to be in place for hiring his successor.

 

[loyalsons4evertrue]

Has Jamie done some questionable things? Sure. But he's absolutely been a great AD for us. Although we didn't have much control of losing OU and Texas to the SEC, Iowa State athletics over the last 5-10 years has never been stronger with many of our big programs doing well in the regular season and in the post season as well.

My only wish for the new AD is to move the student section back to the NE corner.

 

[Cyfan1965]

Get the donors off the court and get the students back where they belong.

 

[David Moss]

Should name the beer vending area the Pollard Family Fun Zone