Iowa State to Announce New Football Coach Monday

KCCI.com, IA

11-27-06

Iowa State To Announce New Football Coach Monday

No Word Yet On McCarney Successor

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University has scheduled a news conference for 6 p.m. Monday to introduce its new head football coach, but the university isn't saying yet who that coach is.

In a news release Sunday afternoon, the ISU athletic department said ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and athletic director Jamie Pollard will introduce the coach at Hilton Coliseum Monday evening.

Fans are welcome to attend the introduction. Parking and admission to the Hilton will be free.

The new coach will succeed Dan McCarney, who resigned earlier this month after 12 seasons with the team and had two games remaining on the schedule. Pollard has been mum about who he is interviewing for the head coaching position.

KCCI sports reports that all signs point to Brian Kelly, currently the head coach at Central Michigan University. Pollard would not comment, but in a letter posted on cyclones.com, Pollard said, "I am absolutely thrilled to share with you that we came to an agreement Sunday with our No. 1 choice from the first day of the search."

Pollard wrote: "Our goal was to recruit a coach to Iowa State University with great character and values, who also had a proven track record of competitive success that could add to the excellent foundation that Coach McCarney built the past 12 years."

Scott Rex, spokesman for Central Michigan, told KCCI earlier Sunday night that he cannot confirm nor deny reports that Kelly is the new head coach at ISU.

He said that he expects Kelly to be at practice with the team at 3:15 p.m. Monday.

Kelly has compiled an overall record of 18-16 in three seasons while reviving the Central Michigan program. The Chippewa's are 8-4 this year and will play in the MAC Championship this Thursday against Ohio. Whether Kelly will be there to coach that game is yet to be known.

Before arriving at Central Michigan, Kelly led Division two Grand Valley State to back to back national championships in 2002 and 2003.

In his first season with the Lakers, he went 9-3 and qualified for the playoffs.

Stay tuned to KCCI NewsChannel 8 and KCCI.com for updates on this continuing story.