Iowa

Matt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire

Published

2 days ago

December 7, 2025

Matt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire

Penn State made a key hire for Matt Campbell’s first staff in Happy Valley simultaneously as it announced Campbell’s deal: retaining interim head coach Terry Smith on a long-term contract.

But Campbell has many other staff positions to fill out between now and the start of the 2026 season. And according to multiple reports, he’s made his first one.

Iowa State assistant athletic director for player personnel Derek Hoodjer is set to follow Campbell to Penn State. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported the news Sunday morning.

Hoodjer was a longtime Cyclones assistant, serving in Ames since 2011 in various roles, including as a defensive graduate assistant and a recruiting staffer. His time with the Cyclones started as a student, and he graduated from Iowa State in 2014.

Hoodjer is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska.

He is a key cog in Campbell’s recruiting efforts. Iowa State has signed top-50 classes multiple times under Campbell despite having fewer financial resources than most Power Four programs.

Campbell could certainly bring more Iowa State personnel with him to Penn State. But Hoodjer represents the first big domino in the hiring process.

Campbell is set to be introduced as the 17th head coach in Penn State history on Monday, pending approval from the Board of Trustees in the morning.

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Iowa

See where Iowa women’s basketball is ranked in the latest Coaches poll

Published

8 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

See where Iowa women’s basketball is ranked in the latest Coaches poll

After thumping Rutgers in its Big Ten opener, Iowa women’s basketball remained at No. 12 in the latest USA TODAY Coaches poll released Dec. 9.

The Hawkeyes (9-0, 1-0 Big Ten Conference) picked up a 79-36 win over the Scarlet Knights on Dec. 6 to remain unbeaten. Iowa has held opponents under 60 points six times already this season.

This week brings Iowa’s toughest challenge yet. The Hawkeyes head to No. 10 Iowa State (10-0) for their Dec. 10 challenge at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa then returns home to face Lindenwood on Dec. 13.

Dec. 9 women’s basketball Coaches poll

UConn
Texas
South Carolina
UCLA
LSU
Maryland
TCU
Michigan
Oklahoma
Iowa State
North Carolina
Iowa
Vanderbilt
Baylor
Kentucky
OIe Miss
USC
Tennessee
Notre Dame
Louisville
Ohio State
Oklahoma State
Washington
Michigan State
Alabama

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

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Iowa

Iowa leaders react to farm aid package

Published

20 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Press Room

DES MOINES, Iowa — President Donald Trump announced plans Monday for a $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The package will include one-time payments will be available to Iowa farmers. The USDA said its in response to temporary trade market disruptions and high costs.

Many lawmakers and other leaders reacted to the news.

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Iowa farmer Cordt Holub took part in the roundtable in Washington, D.C. He thanked Trump for the economic assistance package.

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