Iowa State wrestling coach Kevin Jackson and Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard have spoken at length recently about the wrestling team’s current 1-7 record and Jackson’s job.

Last Tuesday on a weekly call-in show, Pollard said the wrestling program isn’t where they want it to be.

“The coaches know that and the wrestlers know that,” Pollard said during the show. “In the end, if that doesn’t change, we’ll have to give someone else another shot at it.”

He did say, though, that Jackson’s job is safe right now.

Jackson said multiple times since those comments were made that he understands Pollard has a job to do.

“Obviously when he’s got a team that’s not competing well dual meet wise there’s some concerns there,” Jackson said Monday morning. “Obviously our expectations are a lot higher than that — our program’s expectations are a lot higher than that.

“He made me aware that those were this thoughts.”

Jackson didn’t elaborate on what was said during the meeting, but he did say he had an end-of-the-year evaluation coming up.

“If [Pollard] wants to share with you what the expectations are for our program, I’m sure he will,” Jackson said. “I’m not sure it’s my spot or my position to share comments and communication me and Jamie have in private.”

Jackson believes he has the pieces to still turn around this season.

He has three returning All-Americans on his team from last season.

Beyond his current lineup, he also a host of young talent in the wrestling room, including the No. 3 recruiting class in 2016. The 2017 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 2.

“I know we have guys that are capable of being national champions and All-Americans when we get to championship season,” Jackson said. “Our focus falls to the guys that have that opportunity.

“We’re still focused on the whole team, making sure they’re doing the right things, moving in the right direction — changing a couple of things that we think can help us from a when moments hit, when positions hit that we react more positively to them or connect a little bit more to them. We just keep grinding, we just keep focused on what the mission is.”