URBANDALE, Iowa — Wrapping up his speech here the other day before a modest audience made up mostly of seniors, Donald Trump Jr. sounded a note of urgency about the increasingly dire weather forecast for Monday night’s Iowa Republican caucuses.
Iowa
Opinion | Trump’s toughest opponent in Iowa isn’t DeSantis, Haley or the weather
His father’s campaign team is well aware that the former president is up against two sets of challengers in the first contest of the 2024 campaign season.
There are the other candidates, sure. But probably more formidable for Trump to beat are the sky-high expectations that have been set. His lead in the latest pre-caucus polls has grown to more than 30 percentage points, far greater than has ever been seen before in a competitive GOP contest this close to the caucus date.
One thing that has always been true about Iowa’s quirky process for selecting presidential candidates is that you can’t really tell what is real and what is illusion until neighbors actually gather in more than 1,600 high school gyms and libraries and churches across the state.
Going into the Iowa caucuses, part of the ritual is for campaigns to thump their chests — bragging about how many doors they have knocked on, how many Iowans have signed cards promising to caucus for them, how much of the state they have covered.
Or they crow about the enticements they are offering to assure supporters will show up for them. In 2008, early Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton’s operation handed out more than 600 snow shovels, apparently not understanding that it is the rare Iowan who doesn’t already have their own.
Her campaign that year also spent $95,000 on caucus-night deli sandwiches. A huge pile of them sat untouched on a table at the caucus I attended that year. Clinton, for all her largesse, came in a disappointing third to her fellow senators Barack Obama and John Edwards.
This year, the candidate who most closely followed what was considered the traditional Iowa formula is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He has visited every one of the state’s 99 counties. His super PAC claims to have knocked on more than 900,000 doors. He has lined up the most high-profile endorsements, including popular Gov. Kim Reynolds and evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats.
At a breakfast hosted by Bloomberg News on Friday, DeSantis deputy campaign manager David Polyansky said: “There won’t be a single Iowa Republican that turns out that night that will not either have met Ron DeSantis or had the opportunity to meet him. Ask him a question, take a picture with him, shake his hand. Not a one.”
Yet the traditional Iowa formula seems to have lost its power. Trump hasn’t done any of that personal, ground-level campaigning. And it will surprise no one if former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley — who has had a far lighter footprint here, though she tells audiences, “I have been campaigning all over this sweet state for eleven months” — noses ahead of DeSantis on caucus night.
The weather, however, makes caucus night more unpredictable than ever. Never before has Mother Nature scrambled everyone’s plans with such fury as she has this year. A blizzard, below-zero temperatures, and fierce winds forced all three of the leading campaigns to cancel in-person events they had planned for the final weekend. Current forecasts for caucus night have temperatures the National Weather Service has called “life-threatening” getting even colder.
There are two schools of thought about what all of this means. One, which the Trump campaign is counting on, holds that the former president’s supporters are the most devoted, and therefore most likely to brave the elements on his behalf. The other, which his competitors are hoping will be true, is that Trump’s lead may have lulled his backers — which, polls suggest, disproportionately include people who have never caucused before — into complacency, to the point where they feel their vote won’t make much of a difference, so why not stay in their toasty homes and watch the results on television.
Among the audience at Don Jr.’s appearance in Urbandale was Gary Leffler, 62, who was proudly wearing a white cap embroidered in big gold letters: TRUMP CAUCUS CAPTAIN. He will be running things for the former president at Precinct 118 in West Des Moines.
When I asked Leffler how he plans to assure people show up for his candidate, he showed me an eight-page list of what he said were 160 names and said he is calling all of them. So far, Leffler said, he is hearing that nothing is going to keep them away from the Learning Resource Center where Precinct 118 will meet.
Except for one couple, both of whom are 94 years old. One of them told Leffler, “I ain’t going out in that.”
The Saints claimed a victory in its series finale at Iowa, defeating the I-Cubs 5-4 to snap a four-game losing streak.
Orlando Arcia’s third-inning double scored Matt Wallner and Aaron Sabato to give St. Paul (50-41) the lead for good in the third inning.
Iowa scored twice in the ninth and threatened to steal away the win before reliever Trent Baker struck out Christian Bethancourt to end the game and earn the save.
Ben Ross and Kyler Fedko hit homers for the visitors.
Matt Bowman, who relieved Saints starter Aaron Rozek in the fifth inning, claimed the win.
Jamie Pollard to step down after 22 years
Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard to retire after 22 years; leaving by June 30, 2027 after 24 Big 12 titles, $400M+ projects.
When Jamie Pollard was first introduced as Iowa State’s athletics director on Sept. 19, 2005, he quickly marked his — or rather, the Cyclones’ — territory.
After unranked Iowa State football upset then-ranked No. 3 Iowa, 23-3, in that season’s Cy-Hawk game, Pollard commissioned a billboard in Hawkeye territory over in Cedar Rapids that read, “It’s a Cyclone state.”
It was bold, unique and different. It was also indicative of what to expect from Pollard, who is unafraid to express himself, passionate about the Cyclones and from the outset had a vision for Iowa State athletics, which had long been deemed little brother to its rival in the eastern half of the state.
The billboard riled up those with Cyclone and Hawkeye allegiances. The initiative is still discussed years later and occasionally referenced.
Pollard is still around, too, although his time as an athletics director is coming to a close.
On July 10, he announced his retirement, which will be effective on June 30, 2027, or whenever Iowa State has hired his successor — whichever comes first.
“My wife, Ellen, and I look forward to the next chapter in our life’s journey and it is important to us that we transition now, while we are both healthy and young, so we can fully enjoy our retirement years,” stated Pollard. “I am grateful to President (David) Cook for allowing me to share this news now and hopefully it will allow the university plenty of time to properly transition new leadership to our department during a transformational time in college athletics.
“When we moved to Ames in 2005, we did not anticipate the impact being a Cyclone would have on our family. The personal and professional opportunities our family has experienced during the past 21 years have been truly amazing.”
Pollard is entering his 22nd year as athletic director at Iowa State, is the longest-tenured athletic director in school history and the longest-tenured active power-conference AD in the country.
The Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native first arrived in Ames after serving as associate and deputy athletics director roles at Wisconsin from 1998-2005. He also had administrative roles at Saint Louis and Maryland.
The nationwide search for a new athletics director is expected to begin this fall. Until then, Pollard plans on making sure his successor will be in good standing going forward.
“A big thing for Ellen and me, is there is a ‘next,’ and we want to physically and mentally be able to enjoy ‘next,’ but, at the same time, I want to make sure when that day comes, that we hand it off in as good a spot as can be,” Pollard told the Register in June. “… At some point in time, you have to transition it to whatever comes next and unfortunately, our industry, the ground’s changing under our feet as we talk. We’re going to have to figure out how to deal with that part of it, and I think a big part for Iowa State is just making sure our financial situation is as solid as it can be. It’s not clearly what it once was, but we’re never going back to those days, either.”
From upgraded facilities, key coaching hires, to recent athletics success, Cyclone and Hawkeye fans will continue the endless debate about superiority with or without the infamous billboard. But there’s no doubting the growth and change across Iowa State athletics throughout Pollard’s time as AD.
Iowa holds the edge in the all-time series records for the Cy-Hawk rivalry, but recent years have shown that the Cyclones now have a seat at the big-boy table nationally.
“I’ve been witnessing all the stuff that he’s done and I think — I don’t know technically who is going to be on the Mount Rushmore of Iowa State athletics, but I think he’s got to be there because of what he’s done for all of us,” longtime Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly said. “You embrace who you are, you don’t apologize for what you’re not and I think he learned quickly like, ‘Hey, we can’t change the weather here, we can’t change the population.’ We have to change our facilities, we have to make Iowa State fans really proud of who we are and what we’re about. How do we do that? He really did a great job of it.
“You don’t stay in a job like that this long without being really good at it, but at the same time, being respected within the building.”
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard gives Cy-Hawk game update
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard gives a Cy-Hawk game update.
While former athletics directors Gene Smith and Bruce Van De Velde began fundraising efforts at Iowa State, Pollard exponentially accelerated and revolutionized the Cyclones’ fundraising success.
Athletics fundraising increased from $9 million the year prior to his arrival to $53 million during the 2025-26 academic year.
The administration invested more than $400 million in new facilities and building upgrades. Some of the most impactful completed projects include the construction of the Stark Performance Center, the Sukup Basketball Complex and the pedestrian bridge, as well as renovations to the Bergstrom Football Complex, Jack Trice Stadium and the south end zone project.
“You step foot in the facilities now, and there’s nothing to laugh at anymore,” said Dan McCarney, who coached Iowa State football from 1995-2006. “… When I walk in those facilities over there right now, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to my former assistant coaches I would have just loved one day, just one month, I would have loved to bring recruits and their families, former players and fans into those facilities now that have been built under Jamie’s leadership.
“There’s commitment, it is big-time. Is it the best in America? I don’t know and I don’t care. I just know it’s the best in the history of Iowa State athletics and that doesn’t just happen. You got to have vision, you got to be a dreamer and then you got to have a path and a plan to get you there, and I think that’s what will be a big part of Jamie’s legacy.”
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard on potential CFP expansion
Should the College Football Playoff expand to 24 teams? Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard shares his thoughts on the potential idea.
Pollard made integral coaching hires, such as football coach Matt Campbell, who became the winningest coach in program history and established consistency over his decade-long run with the Cyclones before departing for Penn State.
In men’s basketball, Pollard hired hometown legend Fred Hoiberg, whose banner was hung in the rafters of Hilton Coliseum in 2010. “The Mayor” returned to coach his alma mater despite not having any prior coaching experience. Hoiberg broke a 14-year drought by leading the Cyclones to their first Big 12 Tournament title and Sweet 16 appearance in 2014. His team followed up with another Big 12 Tournament crown the following year, Hoiberg’s last before leaving for the Chicago Bulls.
Pollard made another instrumental basketball coaching hire by bringing in former assistant T.J. Otzelberger to become head coach. Otzelberger inherited a 2-22 team and restored the Cyclones into the national spotlight. The Cyclones have made the NCAA Tournament each year and reached three Sweet 16s under his watch.
Women’s basketball has been a frequent NCAA Tournament participant and won a Big 12 Tournament title in 2023.
There has also been success in Olympic sports. Wrestling also returned to national relevance with the hiring of Kevin Dresser and is now in the midst of a transition period with new head coach Brent Metcalf and the introduction of women’s wrestling. Iowa State continues to be a power in cross country and track and field. Women’s golf won its first Big 12 team title in 2026.
Throughout Pollard’s two decades in Ames, the Cyclones have won 24 Big 12 team championships across eight different sports. They’ve registered all-time program-best finishes in nine different sports and crowned 24 NCAA individual champions. Iowa State has won four of the last five Cy-Hawk Series and 11 titles overall.
Pollard earned Division I FBS athletics director of the year honors from NACDA in 2019 and 2023.
“Excited for him, but it’s hard to see him go because it’s all I’ve ever really known is him working in college sports and especially Iowa State,” said his eldest son Thomas Pollard, the Cyclones men’s basketball director of recruiting. “Knowing how much Iowa State means to him and everything he’s put into this place, it’s hard to put it all into words.”
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard on 76-team NCAA Tournament
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard on 76-team NCAA Tournament expansion.
There were some tough times and challenges that came during the climb to improve Iowa State athletics.
Financial struggles, uncertainty surrounding conference realignment, the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to the new age of college athletics with NIL, transfer portal and revenue share, the elimination of the gymnastics program, and the inability to retain successful coaches such as Campbell, Hoiberg, former wrestling coach and alumnus Cael Sanderson, and former gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler, who became an eight-time national champion at Oklahoma.
Some financial issues remain. Last year, Iowa State athletics projected a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, which the school said was due to the House settlement that allowed for revenue sharing with student-athletes.
However, Pollard told the Register in June that through internal decisions and alterations, Iowa State has been able to cut that deficit to approximately $75 million over the next five years.
Regardless of the obstacles, Pollard has persisted. A 22-year run as a power-conference athletics director stands out in an ever-changing college landscape, from systems to personnel.
His retirement wasn’t a surprise to those close to him. Pollard’s ability to stay for as long as he did didn’t shock them, either.
“Number one, Jamie’s very smart,” Dresser said. “Number two, he’s very driven. And number three, I think you’ve got to have this — he’s not afraid to make hard decisions that are going to upset people. He sees the big picture and he’s got a vision. Any time you’re in charge, you’re going to hurt feelings and step on toes, and he accepted that part of his job and he might not have liked it all the time, but he did the things he had to do to make Iowa State continue to progress.”
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
The Iowa State Cyclones will start a new era when the 2026 college football season kicks off next month.
For the first time in a decade, they have a new leader on the sidelines. Jimmy Rogers, hired away from the Washington State Cougars, will be replacing Matt Campbell, who accepted the head coaching position with the Penn State Nittany Lions and brought along almost the entire coaching staff and most of the eligible roster along with him.
The roster purge left Rogers and Iowa State in a tough spot. He and his staff have done as good a job as possible to restock the talent, but they are certainly facing an uphill battle in the Big 12 in 2026.
So much so, predictions aren’t in their favor. Over at CBS Sports, Brad Crawford has projected game-by-game results for every team in the conference. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t believe the Cyclones are going to find much success in Year 1 under Rogers.
Iowa State predicted for tough 2026 season in Big 12
He has predicted Iowa State to finish 4-8 on the season and 2-7 in the Big 12. Their victories will come against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks, Bowling Green Falcons, West Virginia Mountaineers and Cincinnati Bearcats.
That means losses against the Iowa Hawkeyes, Utah Utes, BYU Cougars, Arizona Wildcats, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Baylor Bears, UCF Knights and Kansas State Wildcats.
As Crawford notes, a major reason for his predictions unfolding in that fashion is their signing class being near the bottom of the Power 4 ranks. Rogers has experience working with revamped rosters; the Washington State group in 2025 had 75 newcomers on the team.
Cyclones predicted to struggle on the road
However, he is facing a much bigger challenge integrating so many new players, from all levels of college football, into a Big 12 program. As a result, the toss-up games against teams thought to be on their tier, such as Baylor, UCF and Kansas State, are all predicted to be losses.
Another interesting takeaway is that the Cyclones aren’t predicted to win a single game away from Jack Trice Stadium in 2026. The lack of Power 4 experience certainly plays a role in that, as winning on the road is a tall task; doing so in hostile conference environments most of the roster has never been part of is even tougher.
Rogers knows how to get the most out of what looks to be an overmatched roster. Iowa State shouldn’t be counted out from being able to secure a spot in a bowl game, but they will need a lot to go right and in their favor during the season.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Wisconsin6 minutes agoWisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for July 12, 2026
-
West Virginia12 minutes agoThis week in West Virginia history: July 12 to 18
-
Wyoming18 minutes agoFirst Alert Weather Days through Sat. for excessive heat, possibly through Wednesday for fire danger
-
Crypto24 minutes agoThe Tech Billionaire Takeover review – a surprisingly fun look at the crypto bros threatening democracy
-
Finance30 minutes agoWedding budget: How to decide what to spend on your big day
-
Fitness36 minutes ago
Are Stamina and Endurance the Same Thing?
-
Movie Reviews48 minutes agoZoe Kavanagh’s ‘DEMON HUNTER: TIME 2 KILL’ (2026) – Movie Review – PopHorror
-
World1 hour agoAnurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane Present Ravi Muppa’s ‘Incognito’ as New YouTube Shorts Channel Launches (EXCLUSIVE)
