When the Iowa State football team takes on Texas Christian University on Saturday, the Cyclones will have a weapon in its arsenal that the Horned Frogs can scarcely prepare for.

Schemes can be drawn up to try to shut down an explosive running back like Darren Davis or a prolific passer like Todd Bandhauer.

Patterns and formations can be tailored to avoid defensive strongmen like Dave Brcka and James Reed.

Game time factors, such as weather and turf-type, can be simulated for pre-game practices.

Unfortunately, flawless scouting reports aren’t something that an opposing team can overcome so easily.

If the Cyclones have ever known what was going to be thrown at them on gameday, they’ll know on Saturday.

The reason for this is a transfer straight from the TCU football program.

Pete Hoener, the former Offensive Coordinator and offensive line specialist of the Horned Frogs now carries the same titles here at ISU.

“No one knows their personnel better than I do,” Hoener admits. “I can’t be sure how much they’ve progressed since last season, but I do know the players.”

Hoener ran the offense at Texas Christian for six years before joining the Cyclones in January. His TCU highlights include a 1994 season in which the Frogs led the Southwest Conference in total offense.

While at TCU, Hoener coached quarterback Max Knake and running back Andre Davis, both of whom earned Southwest Conference Player-of-the-Year honors.

He also worked with future NFL linemen Barret Robbins and Ryan Tucker.

Before joining TCU, Pete coached at Purdue, Illinois, Indiana State, Illinois State and Missouri, as well as with the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals.

Hoener began his coaching career after playing in college, starting three years at tight end and defensive tackle for Bradley.

Cyclone Head Coach Dan McCarney invited Pete to join the ISU staff after competing against him during Hoener’s stints with Illinois, Purdue and Texas Christian.

McCarney was obviously impressed with what he saw.

“Pete has coached at every level of football for 25 years,” McCarney said, “including 13 seasons as an offensive coordinator.

“I know first-hand his ability as a coach and recruiter. His experience makes him a valuable addition to our staff,” he said.

So far, Hoener is equally impressed with the program that inherited him.

“I’m really enjoying it here so far,” Hoener said. “This is a great school — a beautiful school — in a great college town.

“The football program we have here is excellent. The guys all work hard and are dedicated to their training and to the team,” he said.

Hoener says there are some similarities to the Texas Christian program, but there are also definitely some differences.

“For starters, this is a Big 12 school. The college is much larger and, as game time nears, there’s a lot more enthusiasm than there was at TCU. In a phrase, it’s more ‘big time,'” Hoener said.

Before each game, McCarney assigns a coach to scout the opposing team. This coach is to outline their assigned team’s strengths and weaknesses as well as to point out the players to watch.

For obvious reasons, Hoener was assigned the Horned Frogs.

With the dismissal of former coach Pat Sullivan and the hiring of Dennis Franchione, the TCU offense and defense will look a lot different than when Hoener left it. Yet, the players remain much the same.

“Basil Mitchell is an excellent back,” Hoener explained. “He’s got good speed and he makes people miss.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Hoener suggested to paying attention to the line.

“Their strength is up front. Aaron [Schobel] and Kam [Hunt] are tough on the ends and [Kyle] Williams and [J.W.] Wilson make plays at the tackles. That line is their strength on defense,” Hoener said.

Hoener is eager for the season to begin, and said he’ll enjoy seeing some of his old players again on Saturday.

“After you’re done coaching them, you become friends with many of the players — friends for life in a lot of cases. I’ll enjoy seeing them all again,” he said.

As close as he was to his former players, it seems that Coach Hoener’s confidence lies with his new crew.

“We’re healthy, we feel good — it’s time to play a game, Hoener said.”