The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Iowa State: a football coaching history

National Program I#39 of 138–
See Iowa State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Matt Campbell
Peaked at National Program I
Built by
Matt Campbell
Regional Program III → National Program I (+18.4)
The fall
Jim Criner
National Program III → Regional Program III (−12.0)
Right now
Jimmy Rogers
in year 1 — too new to place in Iowa State's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)MichalskeStuberStapletonMajorsBruceWaldenMcCarneyRhoadsCampbell19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Jimmy Rogersshort tenure
0–0
2016–now
Matt Campbellbuilder
Matt Campbell raised Iowa State from Regional Program III to National Program I.
+18.4
72–55
2009–2015
Paul Rhoadscaretaker
Paul Rhoads moved Iowa State from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 7 seasons.
Regional Program I
32–54
2007–2008
Gene Chizikshort tenure
5–19
1995–2006
Dan McCarneycaretaker
Dan McCarney moved Iowa State from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 12 seasons.
Regional Program I
56–85
1987–1994
Jim Waldencaretaker
Jim Walden held Iowa State at Regional Program III for 8 seasons.
Regional Program III
28–57
1986–1986
Chuck Bankershort tenure
1–1
1983–1986
Jim Crinercaretaker
Jim Criner slid Iowa State from National Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
−12.0
16–24
1979–1982
Donnie Duncancaretaker
Donnie Duncan held Iowa State at National Program II for 4 seasons.
National Program II
18–24
1973–1978
Earle Brucecaretaker
Earle Bruce moved Iowa State from Regional Program I to National Program II in 6 seasons.
National Program II
36–32
1968–1972
Johnny Majorscaretaker
Johnny Majors moved Iowa State from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.
Regional Program I
24–30
1958–1967
Clay Stapletoncaretaker
Clay Stapleton moved Iowa State from Regional Program V to Regional Program II in 10 seasons.
+11.6
42–53
1957–1957
Jim Myersshort tenure
4–5
1954–1956
Vince Di Francescacaretaker
Vince Di Francesca held Iowa State at Regional Program IV for 3 seasons.
Regional Program IV
6–21
1947–1953
Abe Stubercaretaker
Abe Stuber held Iowa State at Regional Program IV for 7 seasons.
Regional Program IV
24–38
1942–1946
Mike Michalskecaretaker
Mike Michalske moved Iowa State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.
Regional Program III
18–18
1941–1942
Ray Donelsshort tenure
3–8
1937–1940
Jim Yeagercaretaker
Jim Yeager slid Iowa State from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.
Regional Program III
16–19
1936–1936
George Veenkershort tenure
3–3