Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers huddles with his Cyclones players
AMES, Iowa — Although Jimmy Rogers, the new coach at Iowa State, didn’t get his nickname from Sylvester Stallone, he does bring a championship background to Ames. On December 8, Rogers, 38, was formally introduced as Iowa State’s 34th head football coach. Rogers, a former standout at SDSU, had a 33-9 career record and won a 15-0 FCS national championship in 2023.
He also spent last season at Washington State (going 6-6) before returning to the Midwest. Rogers revealed in an open interview that he was jokingly referred to as “Rambo” in high school due to his flowing hair, but he is now concentrating on fixing the Cyclones.
Rogers comes off an incredible run at his alma mater, South Dakota State. His Jackrabbits finished 15-0 in 2023 and led FCS in defense by giving up just 9.3 points and 257.2 yards per game. His postseason record in 2023 is impressive: SDSU outscored opponents 146-15 in four playoff games, including consecutive championship shutouts. Under Rogers’ leadership, six Jackrabbit standouts, including quarterback Mark Gronowski, who won the Walter Payton Award, were named to the All-America team.
In his first season, Rogers, a two-time Missouri Valley Football Conference champion, even took home the Eddie Robinson Award for national FCS coach of the year. Rogers promised Cyclone supporters “consistency and authenticity” in the program during his ISU introduction, saying, “This is blessing, and I am excited for this opportunity.”
Rogers has ties to the Iowa region in addition to his on-field knowledge. ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard said, “He has very strong ties to the Midwest, both as a player and as a coach.” Pollard stated that he has spent years following Rogers’s career: “He immediately impressed me and expressed his desire to become Iowa State’s next head coach during our first visit a few years ago.
Pollard went on, “Rogers wants to be here, and someone who understands what he has to go through…he is a proven winner who will fit our culture.”
”The fan base [lets] you see yourself having success,” according to Rogers, who also said that he and his family felt “in debt to Jamie Pollard and this opportunity, and I’m not going to let it slip.”
After longtime coach Matt Campbell departed for Penn State in 2026, the Cyclones are looking for stability. With 72 wins, Campbell is now the most successful coach in Iowa State history after leading the team to an 8-4 finish. Rogers takes over a squad that is awaiting its bowl destination, prepared to sustain the momentum.
Since more than fifty players signed up through the transfer window after Campbell left, he is already admitting that rebuilding the roster might be the most challenging undertaking. Fans were shocked when Rogers told KCCI News that he “was not surprised one bit” by the overwhelming exodus. “No… that’s just college football these days,” he said with a shrug.
A few of those men had been in relationships before. He continued, “I won’t take it personally, but the previous staff did a really good job of creating a family atmosphere.” “Finding the right players who want to stay at Iowa State and do something special with this group is what I’m doing for the second time.”
Rogers got right to work on the roster and recruitment front. To strengthen the trenches, he re-added defensive and offensive linemen from his previous Washington State program. Additionally, he kept elite players like All-Big 12 quarterback Hunter Dekkers and acquired new quarterback Jaylen Raynor, a transfer from Arkansas State.
Rogers even intends to maintain some of Campbell’s entertaining customs. He joked that a hamburger-eating competition between each position group is one of his spring camp customs, and he shares Campbell’s fondness for the Cyclones’ black uniforms.
Rogers has won over Iowa supporters off the field with his open admiration for the state. “I love Iowa, I love recruiting Iowa,” he declared, complimenting the area’s “upbringing… the fan base” and stating that he “fits this type of kid” who is devoted and hardworking.
When asked about nicknames other than “Jimmy,” he joked that because of his long hair, he was actually referred to as “Rambo” in high school. However, he is now keen to establish his own reputation by aiming for Big 12 titles and even a College Football Playoff berth “the same goals Matt [Campbell] had.”
As Rogers grows accustomed to Ames, the Cyclones are humming. In 2025, the defense-oriented coach takes over an 8-4 Cyclone team. and he must now prove that he is capable of succeeding at the FBS level. The new head coach of Iowa State football is Jimmy Rogers, and many Cyclone fans are excited to see what this “Rambo” can accomplish.
“You will get consistency and authenticity from me, and I am ready to work extremely hard,” Rogers said during his opening news conference, emphasizing a grounded approach.
