Dear Cyclone fans,

Hi, it’s me, Grant. You remember me, right? I’ve been a member of this fan club for almost 21 years. I’ve been here through the ups and the downs, the five consecutive wins over Iowa and the winless conference seasons.

I’ve been a loyal fan, never considering leaving the fold, never failing in my belief in the purity and goodness of Cyclone athletics.

I’m one of you – always have been and always will be.

But something has to stop.

Every year at about this time, the message boards and dining hall conversations turn to one topic. It’s a ridiculous thing to discuss, but somehow I get sucked into fighting about it every year.

Someone brings it up and my head starts to throb at the insanity of their argument.

“I think it’s time to fire Coach McCarney.”

That’s when I stop whatever I’m doing, place my head in my hands and say a silent prayer for the future of humanity.

Season after season, Cyclone fans watch their team roll through the nonconference schedule and enter Big 12 play with a sparkling record and high hopes.

Then they lose a couple of games early and a mob assembles, ready to carry McCarney out of town and send him on his way.

Fortunately, cooler heads have always prevailed. McCarney is still employed by Iowa State, and that alone is something fans should be extremely happy about.

The Cyclones have experienced unprecedented success under McCarney. He is already the winningest coach in school history, carrying 50 wins into this weekend’s game against Kansas State.

The four bowls in the last five seasons – with a fifth trip soon to be clinched – are as many as the Cyclones had in their history before McCarney took the helm.

Before he took over in 1995, the Cyclones’ last winning season was 1989 and their last season of seven or more wins was 1978. McCarney has reached that seven-win plateau four times, winning a school-record nine games in 2000.

Teams before McCarney couldn’t even spell conference champions, much less compete for one. Today, a Big 12 North title trophy sits in the Jacobson Building.

Suddenly, after wins over Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, those voices who advocate a change atop the ISU football totem poll are silent.

It’s easy to get angry when your team loses – I’ve nearly broken both of my hands and arms hitting extremely hard objects after an especially disappointing loss – but try not to take it too far.

McCarney is doing a great job with the Cyclones and is taking them to new heights – and he still has room to grow. He is now partnered with a new athletic director whose vision couldn’t be contained if put inside Jack Trice Stadium, and the sky is the limit for ISU football.

So please, step away from the ledge. Coach Mac is where he should be – here to stay.

Your friend and fellow fan,

Grant Wall

– Grant Wall is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Fort Dodge. He is the sports editor for the Daily.