Emotion, toughness the hallmark of Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads
AMES — Paul Rhoads nearly gave up his arm to coach college football.
As a defensive back at Missouri Western, Rhoads twice suffered broken arms, including one in the last padded practice before his senior season in 1988. Rhoads weighed his options, but he decided to play, a move that has paid dividends for both Rhoads and the Iowa State football program.
“I had to make a decision whether I was going to red-shirt or just play through,” Rhoads said. “My head coach at the time (Dennis Darnell) informed me that I had a graduate assistant job waiting for me at Utah State with Chuck Shelton. So I made a decision not to red-shirt based on getting my coaching career started.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Rhoads, 44, since has coached in four of the nation’s six high-major conferences. Now as his third year concludes as Iowa State’s head coach, Rhoads has security as well. Last week he received a 10-year, $20 million contract from Iowa State, keeping him in Ames and away from potential suitors.
“Most enthusiastic, passionate leader I’ve ever been around,” said Iowa State linebacker A.J. Klein, the Big 12’s co-defensive player of the year. “His energy on the football field is electric. It’s contagious. He really can get us fired up on game day, and I wouldn’t have any other coach in the nation. He’s a great coach, and you’ll see great things from this program in the next coming years.”
Rhoads originally wanted to follow his father, Cecil, into high school coaching ranks. Rhoads graduated as the Ankeny High School valedictorian and looked at Indianola’s Simpson College and Augustana (S.D.) to continue playing football. Rhoads instead accepted a $600 football scholarship to attend Missouri Western, then an NAIA school. His academics — he was honored as Missouri Western’s top senior student-athlete — helped pay for the rest.
Once Rhoads got the feel of the college football atmosphere, he fell in love with it. He worked as an Iowa State assistant under Dan McCarney from 1995-99 then left to become Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator. In eight seasons Rhoads helped the Panthers reach the Fiesta Bowl and tutored NFL All-Pro Darrelle Revis. Rhoads then spent a season at Auburn before succeeding Gene Chizik, who ironically left Iowa State for Auburn.
Emotional High Jack - News
Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads talks to players during a timeout during the first half of their game against Texas at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Ames, Iowa. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek) AMES — Paul Rhoads nearly gave up
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