Daily Staff

Head football coach Paul Rhoads announced Saturday that Tom Herman would be joining his staff as the team’s offensive coordinator, as well as the quarterbacks’ coach.

Herman comes to Ames from Rice, where he coached the offense for two seasons. In 2008, his squad finished fifth in the nation in passing offense (327.8 yards per game), and was tenth in total offense (472.3). The Owls won 10 games this year on their way to earning a spot in the Texas Bowl – the team’s first bowl game since 1954.

“The staggering numbers that his offense put up at Rice are indicative of his abilities,” Rhoads said in a press release. “But beyond his coaching expertise, I believe his recruiting ties in Texas, familiarity with the Big 12 and his innovative approach to moving the football and scoring points matches my vision for Iowa State football.”

Herman began his coaching career in 1998 as a wide receivers coach at Texas Lutheran, before he was a graduate assistant at Texas from 1999-2000, working with the offensive line. Staying in Texas, Herman’s next coaching gig came as an assistant coach at Sam Houston State, where he spent four years. Before signing on with Rice, Herman managed the offense at Texas State in 2005.

The hiring of Herman was not the only addition Rhoads made last week. Chris Ash, who coached the secondary at San Diego State for the past two seasons, was named the Cyclones’ new secondary coach.

Rhoads also announced he will keep Scott Fountain on as coach of the tight ends and offensive tackles. Fountain came to Iowa State two years ago as part of former head coach Gene Chizik’s staff.

-Nate Sandell – Daily Staff Writer