Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | fall 2002

FALL 2002
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THE ENGERIZER

The ring, even from halfway across Dan McCarney’s office, looks big, heavy, and formidable. You’ll probably notice it this fall at Jack Trice Stadium – even if your view is from the upper deck.

What is it, Coach?

“It’s an Independence Bowl ring,” McCarney said during a summer day of recruiting high schoolers, answering media questions, planning fall practices, and sharing a few laughs with his coaches. “I wear it proudly every day.”

But didn’t the Cyclones lose that heartbreaker of a game? Sure, it was the Cyclones’ second trip to a bowl game in as many years. True, Iowa State outgained Alabama 456 yards to 269. Quarterback Seneca Wallace completed 25 passes for 284 yards. Running back Ennis Haywood ran for another 120 yards. And linebacker Matt Word had six tackles and one quarterback sack. But in the end it was 14-13, Crimson Tide.

Well, McCarney said, that big ring represents “a lot more than one football game. It took a lot of tough days and heartaches to get to be in that bowl. I wear it with pride. It represents the season and not just one game.”

Besides, he said, the Cyclones went down to Shreveport, La., as the underdog. But they proved they belonged on that field with one of college football’s big-time programs and traditions.

“The Cyclones outgained them two to one,” said Pete Taylor, who has broadcast Cyclone games since 1970. “There’s no way the Cyclones should have lost. But even though they lost, the game said Iowa State has arrived.”

The arrival wasn’t easy.

McCarney started as Iowa State’s head football coach in 1994, taking over a team that finished 0-10-1 that year. McCarney went 3-8 his first year (beating Ohio, Nevada- Las Vegas and Oklahoma State). Then it was 2-9, 1-10, 3-8, 4-7, 9-3, and 7-5 last year (beating Northern Iowa, Ohio, Baylor, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Iowa).

And let’s not forget that the Cyclones – for the first time ever – have now beaten the Hawkeyes four straight years.

So how did Coach McCarney, his staff, and the Cyclones turn things around?

The plan was to build discipline, spread the word that the team needed true student-athletes, and restore some trust and respect to the program, said McCarney. Then there was the terrific investment of energy required. And McCarney seems to have more energy than a room full of 3-year-olds.

“It’s all natural,” McCarney said, his jaws pumping a wad of gum as well as a gusher of words. “I might have a Coke or two, but there’s no coffee.”

Positive energy was a necessity in the early days.

“It was easy to lose faith,” McCarney remembered. “If I wasn’t the ray of hope, who was going to be? I had to be an optimist.”

Nowadays, McCarney said he’s still trying to make sure that every day on the job makes the program at least a tiny bit better. This particular midsummer day, for example, included discussion of special teams, and the coaches made final plans for the two-a-day practice sessions.

Bill Snyder, the head coach at Kansas State who turned around that program over his 13 years in Manhattan, said McCarney is coaching the right way. He’s building a foundation. He’s taking one step at a time. And he’s being Dan McCarney.

“Dan has always had foresight, vision, passion, and enthusiasm for what he does,” said Snyder, who worked with McCarney as an assistant to Hayden Fry’s Hawkeyes in the ’70s and ’80s. “Dan has always been one to love a challenge. And perseverance is exactly what was needed.”

Those are the very qualities the Cyclones are going to need this year. The 13-game schedule includes power programs Florida State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas State. Taylor calls it one of the most difficult schedules he can remember an Iowa State football team ever facing. McCarney says the 13 games are the longest season in Iowa State history.

But he’s not backing down.

“I’ve got to do a real good job as head coach,” McCarney said. “We have to keep good energy and enthusiasm. We want to be in position for another great bowl game. We don’t want to be home for the holidays.”

Read on | It's Showtime for Seneca

About the Writer | Mike Krapfl is city editor at the Ames Tribune.