Many questions have been raised in the two weeks since the resignation of ISU Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde and the majority center on what, if any, impact it will have on the football team.

Could the Van De Velde situation and search for a new athletic director morph into a distraction for the team or coaching staff in a year many football analysts have tabbed the Cyclones as contenders for a division title? Will the lack of an athletic director hurt recruiting?

Not likely, according to head football coach Dan McCarney.

McCarney spoke from his experience with the last transition of power at Iowa State, and said the search for an athletic director will not affect the team’s performance.

“In the year 2000, I didn’t have an A.D. or a president,” McCarney said. “All we did was go on to win nine games and bring the first bowl championship in the history of Iowa State football here, so I’ve been through this.”

Although Van De Velde’s position is critical within the administration, he plays a much bigger role behind-the-scenes with student-athletes.

“I can’t say anything bad about the guy,” said offensive lineman Seth Zehr.

“We meet the AD on our official visits and stuff, and other than that, as for contact with the AD on your visits and stuff, is pretty minimal.”

Zehr also spoke from his personal experience as a recruit, saying the lack of a replacement athletic director should have little to no effect on the decision-making process of potential ISU recruits.

“The main thing is the coaching staff and the school and the football program,” he said. “That’s what you’re looking at. The athletic director is pretty minor.”

Senior kicker Tony Yelk said he agreed with his teammate’s assessment.

“He has a big impact on us as student-athletes, but we don’t deal with him a lot person-to-person or face-to-face,” Yelk said. “He did a lot of things for us and we’re grateful for that.”

Yelk, a freshman when Van De Velde took the position of athletic director in 2000, has seen where the program has gone during Van De Velde’s tenure and said he felt Van De Velde was leaving the program better than it was upon his appointment.

“There’s no question statistically,” Yelk said. “The numbers don’t lie. Sometimes you look at risk over reward and we had to cut some of the programs to get things accomplished.

“People may wrinkle their nose at it but you have to have faith in the guy that’s in charge, and that’s him. He got the numbers up so I think he was successful in what he did.”

One of the most visible changes that occurred under Van De Velde’s watch was the continued upgrading of facilities, a project that has been ongoing for a decade.

Yelk echoed his coach’s sentiments and said he realizes just how important the work is that has been accomplished.

“I would say the most immediate impact — and a lot of that credit also goes to Coach McCarney — was the facility upgrades here,” said Yelk. “We’ve got facilities now that let us compete at the highest level in a tough conference.

“Hopefully he’s got bigger and better opportunities coming up and we wish him the best.”

Although the football program is grateful for what has been accomplished, McCarney stressed the focus must shift to finding the right kind of person for the job and a vision for the future.

“This isn’t for everyone; this is a real tough job,” he said. “You need to understand this place. I would feel real good if someone has been a student-athlete [that is hired].

“If you’ve been a coach, that’s great; that’s fantastic. It’s not the No. 1 prerequisite but it sure is important if you’ve had some kind of type of background and walked in our shoes. Your vision and your passion for your job can impact a lot of people around you.”

McCarney has been contacted by people involved in the search and said he will not hesitate to give his help or advice if asked.

“I’m here for Dr. Geoffroy, I’m here for this athletic department,” he said. “If somebody feels strongly about my opinion and wants it, I’m going to help them. I want the best for this place.”