Sep 6, 2014; Ames, IA, USA; The Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhodes reacts early in the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa State fired football coach Paul Rhoads, effective at the end of the season, the school announced Sunday.
Athletic director Jamie Pollard informed Rhoads of his dismissal on Sunday, one day after the Cyclones blew a 35-14 lead in a 38-35 loss to Kansas State.
That loss dropped the Cyclones’ record to 3-8 overall and 2-6 in the Big 12 with one game remaining. Rhoads, who is in his seventh season with the Cyclones, will coach his final game with Iowa State on Saturday at West Virginia.
Rhoads signed a 10-year, $20 million contract with Iowa State prior to the 2012 season. The contract calls for him to get a buyout of approximately $4.5 million.
Rhoads had success initially, leading Iowa State to a bowl victory in his first season. But things got worse after that. The Cyclones won just eight games in his final three seasons, and he has a 32-54 record in his seven seasons.
