Cyclones Football Coach Paul Rhoads Says He's Not Satisfied with Only One Bowl Victory

In a recent interview with the Des Moines Register, Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads said next season, he hopes to accomplish something that hasn't been done in over 10 years.

What exactly? It's time for the Cyclones to reach the positive side of the Big 12 Conference standings, Rhoads told the newspaper.

That is the message he is spreading during the Cyclone Tailgate Tour, a six-day, 12-city tour that kicked off in Pella yesterday:

“I’m happy with getting to three bowl games in four years; I’m not satisfied,” Rhoads said. “I’m not satisfied with only one bowl victory. I’m not satisfied for (not) getting past seven overall victories — or three league victories.

“We want to get into the top half of the league. Those expectations are much more internal than they are anywhere else.”

Playing in the Liberty, Pinstripe and Insight bowls in his four seasons at the school is all right, but Rhoads eyes something bigger.

He wants more Big 12 Conference wins than losses in a season for the first time since Dan McCarney did it in 2000. He knows the history — he knows that was the only time Iowa State accomplished it since the Big 12 came into existence in 1996.

Still, that’s Rhoads’ plan, and it starts when the Cyclones begin their nine-game conference grind at home against Texas on Oct. 3.

The Register talked a wide array of topics with the Ankeny native in the video interview, ranging from what must change to accomplish his goals, his salary, and what his ideal schedule would be like.

Find the full interview here.

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