Iowa State names Rhoads coach

Dec 20, 2008 - 10:16 PM AMES, Iowa (Ticker) -- Iowa State on Saturday named Paul Rhoads as its new football coach.

An assistant with the Cyclones from 1995 to 1999, Rhoads spent last season as defensive coordinator at Auburn.

"It has been a professional goal of mine to become a head coach since my dad introduced me to the game as a kid and I could not have found a more perfect place than Iowa State," the 41-year-old Rhoads said. "I know how special Ames and ISU were to me during my first tenure and having the chance to return and lead this program reads like a Hollywood script

Rhoads is replacing Gene Chizik, who was named as the new coach at Auburn on Monday.

According to reports, Rhoads agreed to a five-year contract worth $5.75 million. That deal could escalate if Rhoads meets certain incentives.

"Paul Rhoads is an outstanding and intelligent football coach, a highly successful national recruiter and has nearly 10 years of experience as a BCS coordinator," Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a statement. "He was the one candidate that clearly demonstrated both extensive experience and an extreme passion for and familiarity with our institution.

"In addition, and most importantly, he also has a comprehensive plan for how to be successful at Iowa State."

An Iowa native, Rhoads has plenty of work to do with the Cyclones, who went 5-19 in two seasons under Chizik.

Prior to his stint at Auburn, Rhoads was defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh from 2000 to 2007.