A Stunner Out of Ames

Well now, I guess we now know why Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard was making all those trips to Dallas. Texas co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik is the new Cyclone coach, a stunning development that caught everybody by surprise. Central Michigan's Brian Kelly was widely reported to be the choice, but then the Raytheon Hawker 800 twin-jet owned by Troy Aikman arrived Monday morning in Ames and Chizik and his wife walked down the ramp. Pollard might not be known to most of our readers, but this guy has quickly become one of the best in the business. You'll be able to see the Chizik press conference over the Internet beginning at 5:45 p.m. (Central). So is this the right hire? Here is what Mark Wangrin wrote in Sunday's San Antonio Express-News: "Chizik has been more careful in his choice of destinations. Now, though, with the shine off his reputation, he may not have much of a choice. He must decide whether to jump toward a more mediocre program or stay at least another year and try to rehabilitate his reputation as a defensive mind. He must prove this season hasn't exposed his thinking as only working when he has exceptional talent at safety. He must show he can adjust."