What Matt Campbell comments should upset Iowa State fans?

Campbell's warning came before a relatively harmless answer about food. On a podcast with On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman, the former Iowa State football coach answered that and more serious questions regarding his transition to PSU. 

The interview has caught the eye of some Cyclone fans and the ire of others. Here are some of the highlights and a verdict on which comments should upset ISU fans. 

Watch the full interview here. 

Ames is a little bit of a food desert

Five months into his new job, Campbell was asked if he’s eaten at any good restaurants around State College.

“Hopefully the people in Ames, Iowa won’t be mad that I say this," Campbell started, "but sometimes you felt like you were in a little bit of a food desert in Ames, Iowa, so number one there’s multiple options for dinner here. There’s multiple places to go out to eat and the food has been outstanding. I think the biggest win for the Campbell family is there’s a Trader Joe's in town so that’s been a monumental win for the entire family. That won me big praise right away so I am thankful for Trader Joe’s." 

Verdict: Ehh, Get over it. Cyclone fans will hear worse this September in Kinnick Stadium.

Cambpell 'broke down' when meeting with transfers from ISU

Campbell described a meeting at PSU shortly after the transfer portal opened. 

“I remember we had about 20 players and their families at Penn State for a visit," Campbell said. "I literally broke down in the first meeting with them because it was an overwhelming feeling that number one I felt a deep-seated responsibility to make sure those young men were taken care of no matter where or what they were going to do because those were our guys.”

Twenty-four Cyclones followed Campbell to Penn State, including quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Carson Hansen, tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, and linebacker Caleb Bacon. In other words, if there’s a Cyclone you bought a jersey of, he’s probably a Nittany Lion.

Campbell indicated his emotions stemmed from his desire to take care of his guys. He has shown his emotions before, like when he cried on Brock Purdy’s senior day. But was it a big surprise that ISU’s top players would follow him, probably not?

Verdict: It’s OK to be upset here. Penn State’s gain is Iowa State’s loss and the last thing Cyclone fans want to hear is how the departures of players they have contributed NIL money to keep made Campbell feel.

Times were changing in Ames

Some parts of this are true. Campbell’s exit coincided with President Dr. David Cook taking over for Dr. Wendy Wintersteen. In the interview, Campbell praised Wintersteen’s leadership through COVID. 

“Times were changing certainly in Ames,” Campbell said. “Our president was retiring and obviously (athletic director) Jamie (Pollard) was getting to the end of his career and I think the reality from our end of it was (Penn State) president Neeli (Bendapudi) was extremely impressive, the conversation that I had, the opportunity to talk to her what she stood for and what she’s about and obviously (athletic director) Pat (Kraft) is a former football player that has played this sport and knows what this sport is like and feels like so I really appreciated that conversation.”  

It should be pointed out things weren't necessarily changing for the worse. By all accounts, including from TJ Otzelberger, Cook has been fantastic for ISU Athletics.  

Also, in February 2025, Jamie Pollard signed a contract extension through 2030. That’s a long time in college athletics. 

Perhaps Campbell's comments were alluding to the change at the top of the football team, when ISU immediately hired Jimmy Rogers rather than give offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser a shot at the job. 

Verdict: Both sides will see themselves in the right here. If you want to be upset, go for it.

Campbell felt like Iowa State could be a championship-contending caliber team

Many outsiders who haven't followed ISU's successful run the past three seasons have the same question. How many Iowa State players can cut it at Penn State?

Campbell was asked that question, in a less direct way.  

Instead of taking a chance to raise his brows and disparage the talent in the Big 12, he said what optimistic ISU fans have believed over the past 10 seasons: Winning at the highest level at ISU is possible.

“I guess I'm naive enough to have always felt like we could build that roster no matter where we were," Campbell said. "I think we were in some really special moments the last couple of years at Iowa State of building teams that could compete against the best in college football."

Campbell could have taken a chance to disparage ISU’s roster. He didn’t. 

Verdict: Don't be upset here. Of course, Campbell didn't want to take a shot at the roster he created, but he also didn't talk about ISU and the Big 12 as a second-rate school when given the chance.