There are plenty of great traditions when it comes to Iowa State football. Whether it’s sounding the sirens, drinking some Ames Lager outside the stadium, dancing to Juicy Wiggle, or singing Mr. Brightside, the list goes on and on.
However, over the last few years, a new tradition has emerged in Ames, Iowa. That, of course, is head football coach Matt Campbell being linked to an NFL job.
If you go all the way back to 2018 (just two years after Campbell’s arrival), he had interest from NFL teams. The first time around, it was the New York Jets, and six years later, the same team has an interest in him again.
However, a new NFL team has entered the mix as well. According to a report from Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is expected to interview for the head coaching vacancy with the Chicago Bears.
By no means am I confused about why NFL teams would be calling Matt Campbell. There is no denying that he is a great football coach and a leader of men. Just take a look at what he has already accomplished during his time in Ames.
In just nine seasons, he has become the winningest coach in Iowa State history and has led the program to two conference title game appearances. He also has more bowl wins than any other coach in program history, including a New Year’s Six win over Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl a few years back. Plus, his 2024 team won 11 games for the first time in the program’s 133-year history.
Would Matt Campbell really leave Iowa State to coach the Jets or the Bears?
Don’t get me wrong, despite how poorly those franchises are run, they are still historic teams and cities. Both franchises have had some great coaches and players over the years, but lately, those two teams have been about as bad as it gets.
In fact, it seems like every two years, these franchises are firing coaches, and it doesn’t help that the front offices of those places are run worse than your local rundown fast-food chain.
As flattering as those calls may be, keep in mind that Matt Campbell just signed an extension last month that runs through 2032. I don’t think there is any question that he is the greatest football coach in Iowa State history. At some point, they will build a statue of him outside of Jack Trice Stadium.
Related: Matt Campbell Agrees to Contract Extension Into the Next Decade
That wouldn’t shock me at all, but what would shock me is if he took a job with a franchise like the New York Jets or the Chicago Bears. As much as college football tries to be like the NFL in some ways, they are still two totally different worlds, and for a guy like Matt Campbell, I have a tough time seeing him walk away from college football and Ames, Iowa.
