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Iowa State University Athletics
Tony Alford Returns to ISU Football Staff; Bobby Elliot to Kansas State as Defensive Coordinator
01.05.2002 | Football
AMES, Iowa -- Tony Alford, who coached running backs at Iowa State for four seasons before spending the 2001 football season in the same position at Washington, is returning to ISU as assistant head coach and running backs coach, ISU head coach Dan McCarney announced Friday night. McCarney also announced that Cyclone associate head coach and secondary coach Bobby Elliott is leaving Iowa State to accept the defensive coordinator position at Kansas State.
"We are thrilled that Tony is coming back to Ames and welcome him back to the Cyclone football family," McCarney said. "Tony is a great coach who brings so much to our staff. He is an outstanding recruiter who brought Ennis Haywood, Matt Word and Ellis Hobbs to our program. He is a perfect fit for us. Bobby Elliott and I go back more than three decades as very close friends. It is very hard for me to see him go. But this was a professional opportunity he couldn't turn down. We wish him the very best. He knows that."
McCarney also announced that current Iowa State running backs coach Mike Grant will coach the Cyclone wide receivers in 2002. The wide receiver post opened when former ISU assistant head coach Nick Quartaro left Iowa State last week to assume duties as offensive coordinator at Kansas.
"There is not a successful program in the country whose coaching staff doesn't attract interest from other programs nationally" McCarney said. This is a credit to all we have done at Iowa State."
Alford's Iowa State backfields, behind first-team all-Big 12 backs Darren Davis and Haywood, produced a 1,000-yard rusher in each of Alford's four seasons in Ames. He was a part of the 2000 Iowa State Insight.com Bowl team and the 2001 Washington team that earned a Holiday Bowl berth.
"I am excited about coming back to Ames," Alford said. "Dan McCarney has been a great friend and this is a major opportunity for me professionally. I have learned so much from him and (Iowa State offensive coordinator) Steve Loney about the game of football. My wife Trina and I have many friends in Ames and we're excited to be Cyclones again. I can't say enough about all that I learned from Rick Neuheisel at Washington. He helped me both professionally and personally during my stay here. Rick is a big reason Washington is the great program nationally that it is today.
Elliott joined Iowa State's staff in March 2000 as associate head coach, secondary coach and special team coordinator. His tenure included 16 wins and a pair of bowl berths. The Cyclones intercepted 18 passes in 2001, the most interceptions by an ISU unit since 1976.
"I'm not sure I have the words to say what Dan McCarney means to me as a friend," Elliott said. Because of my relationship with Dan this was the toughest of decisions. Our family has had a lifetime of memories at Iowa State in just the last two seasons. My goal was to be a defensive coordinator again. Professionally, this is an opportunity I can't turn down. Dan McCarney's achievements at Iowa State speak louder than words. His success in building a winner at Iowa State is one of the best stories in college football and I've have been lucky to be a part of it."
McCarney said a national search for a secondary coach will begin immediately.
Players Mentioned
Jaylen Raynor 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Zaimir Hawk 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Tyler Roehl 2_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
Jesse Bobbit 4_25_26 interview
Saturday, April 25
