McCarney To Step Down After Season

AMES, Iowa ? Dan McCarney, the longest-tenured and winningest coach in Iowa State history, has decided to step down as Head Football Coach. McCarney made the announcement jointly with Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard Wednesday.

“I am announcing today that I will step down from my position as Head Football Coach at Iowa State University at the conclusion of this season,” McCarney said. “Sometimes, you just know it's time. As hard as it is to say that ? especially because I know that this department is on the cusp of some special things ? I realize it is time for different leadership. I have led the football program for 12 years. That is a long time in this day and age to lead any organization.”

McCarney met with Iowa State Athletics Director Jamie Pollard Tuesday to share his decision and spoke to the players after practice today. McCarney will coach the final two games.

“Dan has demonstrated amazing loyalty and selflessness right up to today's very difficult and emotional announcement,” Pollard said. “He cares about Iowa State University, his coaches and players and the entire Cyclone fan base. It is with sadness that I accept Dan's decision. I had hoped to see Coach McCarney lead the Cyclones successfully for many more years. But, it's the true measure of this man that he was unselfish in assessing what was best for Iowa State.”

Pollard said the legacy of McCarney's 12-year tenure is that Iowa State football regained legitimacy.

“He inherited a program that was floundering and worked tirelessly to make it something that Iowa State could be proud of,” Pollard said. “That legacy is something we will always respect. An immeasurable amount of sweat equity was pumped into the Cyclones by Dan, his staff and players during the reclamation.”

McCarney's tenure included a 55-84 overall record (26-67 Big 12), five bowl appearances, the first two bowl wins in school history and a 6-6 record (6-3 since 1998) against state-rival Iowa. He coached a two-time first-team All-American in Troy Davis (1995 and 1996), 13 First-team All-Big 12 selections and 78 Academic All-Big 12 honorees. McCarney's 2004 club was co-champion of the Big 12's North Division and he was named conference Coach of the Year. Two of his quarterbacks ? Seneca Wallace (Seahawks) and Sage Rosenfels (Texans) ? started NFL games this season and the school's record book was re-written during his tenure.

“The bottom line is that we didn't win enough games and that is the measuring stick in this business,” McCarney said. “I respect the vision that Jamie (Pollard) has for this department. My lone regret is that I won't be part of that future. I felt a change in the leadership of the football program was in the best interest of the overall department, and I am at peace with this decision. Certainly, I am very proud of many things we accomplished over the past 12 years, but we did not experience enough victories in 2006 to keep the momentum going.”

McCarney expressed gratefulness for the chance to return to his native state 12 years ago and join the Cyclone family.

“I can't begin to count the blessings that I received at ISU,” McCarney said. “The positives far outweigh the negatives. I've made countless friends and formed lifetime relationships with coaches, staff, players and fans. Bringing respect back to this program has been a ?team' effort. I could go on and on with names of people who believed in this program, rolled up their sleeves and made good things happen. Rather than risk leaving people out, however, I simply offer a comprehensive ?thank you' to everyone who pitched in.”

McCarney admitted that leaving the position he raised to new levels is tough.

“In today's world, it's hard to have long-lasting coaching tenures at this level. Our family's 12 years at Iowa State is an exception,” McCarney said. “I was able to handle the daily ups and downs of this scrutinized position because of my personal support network ? especially my wife Margy and children Jillian, Melanie and Shane. They have been remarkable. And, my working relationship with Jamie (Pollard) has been great. He has supported our program in every way and I value the personal relationship we have.”

Beyond the wins and losses on the field, Pollard noted that some of the major accomplishments of McCarney's tenure occurred outside the lines.

“He taught his student-athletes that personal responsibility and conduct and a commitment to academics were expected if you wanted to participate in his program. Although we worked together only two seasons, I never saw Dan waver from those principles” Pollard said. “He's a great person, excellent developer of young men and a class representative of Iowa State University.”

Iowa State University President Dr. Gregory Geoffroy also recognized the loyalty and many contributions of McCarney.

“Coach McCarney delivered a number of wonderful post-season bowl experiences for our campus and alumni, made us respectable on the field once again and developed young men that Iowa State University should be proud of. He did that, and so much more, with class, integrity and boundless energy.”

Pollard said he was aware of the outstanding personal qualities of McCarney when he came to Iowa State last October.

“Dan's reputation among both coaches and administrators across the country is sterling,” Pollard said. “Barry Alvarez (who coached along side McCarney for more than a decade) went out of his way to tell me how fortunate I was to inherit Dan as my football coach at Iowa State. After our short tenure together, I couldn't agree more.”

Throughout a challenging 2006 season, beset by serious injuries and a rugged schedule, Pollard and McCarney discussed football's role in leading the department forward.

“Dan enthusiastically embraced his personal role and carried the responsibility with pride,” Pollard said. “For more than a decade, he has been the face of the Iowa State Athletics Department. However, it became clear to us recently that momentum in the program was slowing.”

Pollard said that a national search for the 31st head football coach in Cyclone history begins immediately and that no timetable has been established for the process.

“I recognize that Iowa State's football program must be healthy and vibrant in order for the athletics department to be successful. Football is the engine that pulls the train,” Pollard said. “We can't compete successfully in the Big 12, renovate facilities, hire outstanding coaches and staff or support the academic and athletics dreams of student-athletes appropriately without football success. Identifying and recruiting the right individual to take the next big step with the football program at Iowa State University is top priority.”

Iowa State University Athletics

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