After struggling through an anemic 9-35 record during his first four seasons as the head football coach at Iowa State, Dan McCarney should be worn out and wondering what he got himself into.

After all, he was a valuable part of successful gridiron programs at Iowa and Wisconsin. Instead, coach Mac has shown great enthusiasm toward leading the Cyclones in ’99.

“We’re just beginning our fifth season, and we feel we’ve built this thing the right way,” McCarney said. “We’ve gone brick-by-brick in the foundation, and we’re hoping all the hard work over the last four seasons is going to pay off for us this year.”

McCarney’s energetic approach to coaching has already lifted ISU to new heights. When McCarney took over the Cyclone football program in 1995, ISU saw attendance rise from 35,460 to 37,455. In 1996, it leaped all the way up to 43,296, a 22 percent increase from 1994.

The major reason for the attendance surge was the emergence of superstar running back Troy Davis. During his three-year stint at ISU, Davis set an NCAA record by becoming the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons (2,010 in ’95, 2,185 in ’96) on his way to becoming a two-time first-team All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist.

The immense success Davis experienced at ISU under McCarney has greatly improved the Cyclones’ image nationally. Troy’s younger brother, Darren, is a senior on this year’s squad who is attempting to become the first Cyclone to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Darren said McCarney’s commitment to him and Troy has enabled ISU to gain significant ground on the national recruiting scene.

“When I first got here, I fell into his hand,” Darren said. “He used to always call and talk to the family when Troy was here, and he takes care of me the same way he did Troy.”

Another boost for the Cyclones’ image during McCarney’s tenure occurred last season when ISU drilled Iowa 27-9 in Iowa City to snap a 15-game losing skid against the Hawks. The victory brought nationwide respect to ISU.

“There wasn’t anybody I came in contact with last year that hadn’t seen the Iowa game,” McCarney said. “It gives you some credibility and identity around the country.”

Despite the increased national presence and significant enthusiasm he has brought to the program, McCarney acknowledges that Cyclone football has yet to turn the corner.

However, the rebuilding process appears to be heading in the right direction.

The ISU athletic administration has made a significant commitment to McCarney and his bid to help revive the struggling program.

Since McCarney arrived at ISU, the Cyclones have moved into the state-of-the-art Richard O. Jacobson Athletic Building, opened a new press box and individual suites and dedicated new practice fields.

The Cyclone coaching staff has also shown great devotion to McCarney. Despite several coaches receiving offers to coach at other schools, the entire staff is returning intact from for the first time since McCarney started at ISU.

“He coaches with a lot of passion and cares so much about everything he does,” senior Chris Anthony said. “I’m behind him 100 percent, and eventually he’ll get the program turned around.”