A Great Opportunity For Iowa State

OK Cyclone fans, let it go. Your football program deserves better than Gene Chizik. The Iowa State job is a tough one but one that can be overcome. You have a patient fan base who wants to win and an athletic director in Jamie Pollard that will give you a reasonable amount of time to get the job done.

Think of this as a great opportunity to bring a coach in that is committed and can calm an enraged fan base. Forget Gene Chizik, he's Auburn's coach now.

Now go after Turner Gill. He's a Big 12 North guy coming from Nebraska. Gill knows the territory and has the demeanor to endear himself to the Iowa State family. Most importantly he has proven to be a winner. What Gill has accomplished at the University of Buffalo is remarkable. In 1996, Gill took over a program that had won 7 conference games since joining the MAC in 1999. 2 years later the Bulls are MAC Champions and going to a bowl game.

Becoming the head football coach at Iowa State might be the perfect long term marriage for both Gill and the Cyclones.

If that doesn't work out let me throw another name at you. Bobby Houck at Montana. As a young TV sportscaster working in Flagstaff, Arizona I got to know Houck when he coached linebackers at Northern Arizona University. Our paths haven't crossed since however, Houck has build a solid resume.

In 6 seasons at his alma mater, Houck's Montana teams have won the Big Sky championship every year. This year Houck has led Montana to the Football Championship Subdivision national championship game against Richmond. It might be time for Houck to make the move to the big show of college football and Iowa State might be the right place.

Turner Gill Photo Courtesy: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Bobby Houck Photo Courtesy: Todd Goodrich and Tess McEnroe/Montana
Grizzlies.com