Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard has received an extension — without a raise — through 2026, the school announced Monday.
The extension comes in the aftermath of the Cyclones’ best football season in school history. Iowa State reached the Big 12 Conference championship game and defeated Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
“In light of his consistently steady and successful leadership over many years, especially during a worldwide pandemic that brought unprecedented challenges, I am delighted to announce that Jamie will remain at Iowa State executing our shared vision for athletics,” Cyclones president Wendy Wintersteen said in a statement. “True to his servant leadership style, which has always been focused on others, Jamie accepted our extension enthusiastically, and has agreed to do so without an increase in compensation.”
Pollard last year announced temporary 10 percent pay cuts to offset a $25 million budget shortfall amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollard was earning $757,000 per year, prior to the cuts.
Pollard has been AD in Ames since 2005 and is the fourth-longest serving in the FBS behind Ohio State’s Gene Smith, Oklahoma’s Joe Castiglione and Kentucky’s Mitch Barnhart.
“I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to lead our athletics program for the past 16 years and look forward to leading the program for many more,” Pollard said. “We have created an incredible culture among our coaches and staff which makes coming to work every day so enjoyable. Lastly, our children grew up in Ames and our family is proud to call Iowa home.”
