Cyclones turn to Texas for new coach

By Steve Batterson | Tuesday, November 28, 2006

TODAY: (Updated 1:01 p.m.) Gene Chizik, a 20-year coaching veteran who is currently the assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator at Texas, is expected to be named tonight as the new head football coach at Iowa State.

Chizik, who joined the Longhorns in 2004 following three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Auburn, was on his way to Ames this morning, according to John Walters of WOI-TV.

Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly, a top candidate who interviewed with ISU over the weekend, said during a teleconference this morning previewing Thursday’s Mid-American Conference championship game that the only place he expected to be late Monday was at practice with his 8-4 team.

A Florida native who graduated from the University of Florida in 1985, Chizik worked at Clemson, Middle Tennessee State, Stephen F. Austin and Central Florida before working with Auburn defenses that ranked in the top five nationally in his final two seasons.

Iowa State officials would neither confirm or deny the hiring, saying only that the new coach will be introduced at a 6 p.m. news conference.

Chizik would replace Dan McCarney, who  resigned Nov. 8 after 12 seasons leading the Iowa State football program.