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Newly hired Iowa State football coach Jimmy Rogers is projecting confidence in his program’s immediate future, declaring in his first week that the Cyclones can compete for a Big 12 championship in his inaugural season. Rogers made the bold prediction despite the team being ranked last in the conference’s preseason media poll and facing significant roster turnover following his arrival to replace Matt Campbell.
Rogers acknowledged that he personally voted for Iowa State to reach the Big 12 title game in an anonymous coaches poll on On3.com, framing the prediction as a fundamental requirement of his role. “I was brought in to win,” Rogers told reporters in Ames, Iowa. “They didn’t hire me to come here and not be competitive. We’re not signing up for second place.”
The Cyclones face daunting circumstances heading into the season. Iowa State lost 55 players to the transfer portal after Rogers’ hiring, while Campbell departed for Penn State with 24 of the program’s top contributors. Campbell’s final team finished 8-4 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play last season.
Rogers brings experience from success at the Football Championship Subdivision level, including a tenure at South Dakota State, and most recently led Washington State to a 6-6 record and bowl appearance in his only season there despite integrating 75 newcomers into the roster. Tight end Tyler Fortenberry said the team embraces Rogers’ confidence and remains focused on internal development rather than external criticism.
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