Search For New Iowa State Football Coach Appears Over

Iowa State's search for a new head football coach appears to be over.

The Toledo Blade newspaper and ESPN, both citing multiple sources, reported Sunday (Nov. 29, 2015) that University of Toledo Head Coach Matt Campbell has agreed to become the Cyclones' next head coach. The hire has not yet been confirmed by Iowa State, which fired Paul Rhoads on Monday.

The Associated Press also reported on Sunday that officials at Iowa State University could make the official announcement later in the day, Campbell's 36th birthday.

Campbell is one of the hottest young coaches in America right now. He is 35-15 in four seasons at Toledo, which competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Campbell was hired as the Rockets' head coach in 2011 when Tim Beckman left to become head coach at Illinois.

Toledo (9-2 overall, 6-2 MAC), ranked No. 24 in this week's College Football Playoff (CFP) poll, dropped its regular season finale on Saturday, falling to Western Michigan, 35-30. The Rockets will find out their bowl destination and opponent on Sunday, Dec. 6.

One of Toledo's victories this season came against Iowa State, a 30-23 double-overtime decision on Sept. 19. The Cyclones beat the Rockets, 37-30, in 2014.

Reports of Campbell's hiring by Iowa State come just hours after Toledo's athletic director said that the school offered him a contract that would have boosted his $495,000 salary and made him the highest paid coach in the MAC. According to The Blade, Campbell would have made more than $800,000 staying at Toledo.

Campbell will likely be making significantly more money at Iowa State, where Rhoads' salary this season was $2.2 million. ESPN and The Blade both reported that Iowa State will pay a $200,000 buyout to bring Campbell to Ames.

Rhoads coached his final game for Iowa State on Saturday, a 30-6 loss at West Virginia. He ended his seven-year tenure with a 32-55 record, which included three bowl appearances. The Cyclones finished their 2015 season at 3-9.