It was a bittersweet announcement for the ISU football team Sunday, as the players found out that former-Toledo coach Matt Campbell will be the next head coach at Iowa State.

Just a week ago, the team was informed by ISU Athletic Director Jamie Pollard that Paul Rhoads would coach his final game for the Cyclones on Saturday. Now, a day removed from that 30-6 loss to West Virginia, the players are seeing a major change in the program. 

“That’s the first coaching change we’ve been though,” said captain Levi Peters. “I was heartbroken, I was sad, I was upset. But just like anything, it’s a quick turnaround. We just played the game yesterday, and we have a new head coach today. You just got to stay positive and get ready for the next challenge.”

Pollard and Associate Athletic Director David Harris held a team meeting Sunday afternoon to inform the team of the new hire.

Campbell was not in the meeting, but he is expected to be in Ames later in the day and will officially be introduced as the head coach Monday at a press conference.

The overall consensus from the players was bittersweet, as one might expect after a change at head coach. But the players say they know that it’s time to move on with Campbell at the helm of the program. 

“It’s been tough,” Peters said. “It’s been different. We have a really good relationship with coach Rhoads and his staff. It’s a tough week for us, but it’s time to move on. As a player and a coach, you know that. These tough times, they’re not going to last. You need to keep going, you need to keep rolling.” 

Campbell will address his players Monday when he is officially introduced. The players said they want to hear some of the same sentiments that Rhoads often shared. 

“I want to know how much he cares about us and this program,” said wide receiver Allen Lazard. “Other than just the wins and losses, [I want to hear] that he cares about the program so he can bring us to the next level.” 

Running back Mike Warren is one player who was particularly happy. He was heavily recruited out of high school by Campbell and his staff, and nearly committed to play for Campbell at Toledo. Current ISU running back coach Louis Ayeni was one of the coaches under Campbell at that time. 

Now with Campbell coming to Iowa State, it appears as if Ayeni will stay on staff. 

“I have a feeling that him and Lou together, this will probably be a flashback,” Warren said. “[It’s not happening] officially, but we all have a feeling.”

After Iowa State lost to Toledo earlier this season, Warren approached Campbell. Campbell asked Warren if he still remembered him.

“I almost came here, so I have to remember him somehow,” Warren said. “He’s just a really good guy.”

Warren described Campbell as a “family-oriented” guy, and that he really cares about his program. That shows in Campbell’s recruiting numbers, as he ranks at the top of the Mid-America Conference in recruiting classes and was named a top recruiter by Rivals.com. 

“[Campbell] actually cares about you,” Warren said. “Really laid back guy. I think he has every piece of the puzzle. He has a lot of fire in him.” 

There have been some rumblings from players about transferring since Rhoads left, but even with the quick appointment of Campbell, the rumblings seem to have quieted. 

“We plan on keeping everybody,” Peters said. “I told everybody to have an open mind about this and be ready to do what this new staff wants and do what they ask.” 

The players haven’t met Campbell yet, and some of them haven’t done much research on him. All some of them heard was what Pollard told them in the meeting.

When asked if he was OK with Campbell as the next head coach, Lazard answered half-jokingly.

“We kind of have to be,” he said. 

But on a more serious note, Lazard was still reeling because of the loss of Rhoads, who was a huge part of Lazard’s decision to come to Ames. It’s been a long week for the players, but a longer week for Lazard in particular. 

That doesn’t mean that he won’t be ready to go when Campbell introduces himself. 

“[I’m] still disappointed with the whole thing,” Lazard said. “[I’m] still trying to soak in the whole thing with coach Rhoads leaving, but it’s time to turn the corner and hit the ground rolling.” 

No matter who is head coach, though, the team has set a high standard for itself — particularly Lazard, who expects to be in a bowl game next season. 

“I expect to win a lot of games next season,” Lazard said. “We have a pretty tight bond together. If we stick together and work hard, there will be a lot of success.

“I plan on playing in December.”