AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Jimmy Rogers has announced the position coach assistants for his first season with the program.

Rogers previously announced that Jesse Bobbit, his defensive coordinator at Washington State and South Dakota State, will join the Cyclones in the same role.

Bobbit’s group includes three other defensive staffers from Washington State as well as former Toledo Co-Defensive Coordinator Ross Watson.

“I’m thrilled to be able to keep our defensive group together and add Ross Watson to the mix,” Rogers said. “I know what this group is about and have no doubt that their attention to detail, intensity and culture setting will allow us to be competitive from the start.”

The following coaches have agreed to join Rogers’ staff as preparation begins for the 135^th season in program history:

Mike Banks – Cornerbacks – Full Bio

Banks played a key role in helping Washington State’s defense rank among the nation’s Top 15 teams in passing defense, allowing just 174.4 passing yards per game. The University Park, Illinois native also worked with Rogers at South Dakota State in a similar capacity with the 2024 Jackrabbit defense finishing fifth in FCS in total defense and registering 14 interceptions. He helped develop First Team All-American Dalys Beanum in 2024, while on the other side Colby Humphrey was a second team all-conference pick. He also spent time at his alma mater, Illinois State, and produced another All-American while the Redbirds made the FCS Playoffs twice, including the quarterfinals in 2019.

Jalon Bibbs – Defensive Line – Full Bio

Bibbs has worked alongside Rogers at both Washington State and South Dakota State and helped form those defenses into two of the best nationally at their respective levels. His defensive linemen helped Washington State compile 31 sacks last season, while being outstanding in specialty situations. The Cougars ranked seventh nationally in fourth down conversion defense (.333) and 11th in red zone defense (.727). Defensive end Isaac Terrell had seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss and was the nation’s 19^th-ranked edge defender by PFF during the regular season. The Phoenix, Arizona native was on SDSU’s staff in 2023 during the Jacks’ FCS National Championship run. In his two seasons at SDSU, seven of eight starting defensive linemen earned all-conference accolades, while one was an All-American and another a freshman All-American.

Pete Menage – Safeties – Full Bio

Menage joins the Cyclone coaching staff after being on Rogers’ staff at both Washington State and South Dakota State as safeties coach. The 2025 Washington State squad allowed just 20.2 points per game, including just 12.7 points over the course of the season’s final eight regular season games. He was in charge of the same position group at SDSU when the team won the 2023 FCS National Championship and reached the semifinals in 2024. The Rock Rapids, Iowa native’s safety group intercepted 14 passes in his two-year stint with the Jackrabbits.

Ross Watson – SAM Linebackers/Nickelbacks/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator – Full Bio

Watson, a Youngstown, Ohio native, spent the last 10 seasons at Toledo, serving as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the Rockets since 2020. His 2025 defense had nine players honored as All-MAC selections, including his two starting safeties Braden Awls and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, both first-team picks. The 2025 Rockets ranked third nationally in total defense (247.8 ypg), while also finishing top five in passing efficiency, tackles for loss and red zone defense. In 10 seasons at UT, the team reached nine bowl games and won the MAC in 2017.

The Atlantic Boys Basketball team is seeking to have a stronger second half of the season after a 2-5 start to the 2025-2026 campaign. Heading into the break, the Trojans are facing a three-game skid. Head Coach Dalton Franken says he’s looking for more full game efforts as the season continues.

Franken sees the improvements that need to be made, especially in key areas.

The Trojans are led by the senior duo of Gavin McLaren and Kale Jensen who are both averaging at least 10 points a game. Franken says those two have been leading heavily both on and off the floor.

Atlantic continues their season Friday, January 2nd in Shenandoah.

The 23rd ranked Iowa Hawkeyes will play 14th ranked Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on Wednesday. It will be Iowa’s sixth appearance in the game that used to be known as the Outback Bowl.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who feels the Hawkeyes have had a good week of practice.

The chore for the Hawkeye defense is to contain Vanderbilt quarterback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia, who is the nation’s top dual threat.

Ferentz says Pavia is a big play threat on every snap.

Vanderbilt is 10-2 and narrowly missed a spot in the college football playoff. Commodore coach Clark Lea has led his Alma mater to its first ever 10-win season.

Lea says his team is looking forward to the challenge.

The Hawkeyes are 8-4. It will be an 11 o’clock kickoff in Raymond James Stadium.

AMES, Iowa – Head coach Jimmy Rogers has announced the new members of his support staff for his first season at Iowa State. All hirings are pending completion of background checks.

At his hiring press conference, Rogers announced that his chief of staff would be Jon Shaeffer, who has worked the last 13 years alongside Iowa State’s new coach. In his role, Shaeffer will assist Rogers in off-field tasks, including scheduling and travel logistics.

Rogers also previously announced that Ricky Ciccone would serve as general manager for the program. Ciccone assisted Rogers in building a roster last season at Washington State that had 75 newcomers but still managed to finish the season 7-6 overall and won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Rogers announced 10 additional support staff members that have joined the program and will assist in program roster building and logistics.

Tony Calcutta – Director of Recruiting

Ricky Ciccone – General Manager

Leon Douglas – Director of Player Development

Kris Kracht – Head of Player Performance & Culture

Andy Lucas – Director of Recruiting Communications

Nick Meltz – Recruiting Operations Assistant

Alex Self – Director of Player Personnel

Jon Shaeffer – Chief of Staff

Nicole Vuncanon – Director of On-Campus Recruiting

Bailey Wright – Director of Creative

The 23rd ranked Iowa football team will get a final chance to beat a ranked opponent when the Hawkeyes take on 14th ranked Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on Wednesday. Iowa is 8-4 in a season of near misses. The four losses were to rated foes by a total of 15 points.

That’s Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski. In an era of bowl game opt outs the Hawkeyes have had none.

Gronowski’s counterpart in this game will be Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. The Heisman Trophy runner-up has passed for nearly 32 hundred yards and rushed for more than 800.

Against a team that averages nearly 40 points per game the Hawkeyes will need to score a lot to have a chance. Gronowski says the Commodore defense will try to confuse them.

A disciplined pass rush will be a key on Wednesday when the 23rd ranked Iowa Hawkeyes play 14th ranked Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa. Not only has Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia passed for nearly 32 hundred yards but his ability to scramble leads to big plays. Iowa defensive end Max Llewellyn.

Iowa has played against Heisman Trophy winner Francisco Mendoza from Indiana and Oregon’s Dante Moore. Llewellyn says Pavia is a unique challenge.

Llewellyn on the opportunity in front of the Hawkeyes.

Iowa had no opt outs and Llewellyn says they are looking forward to the game.

Iowa safety Koen Entringer has a decision to make about returning for his final season or entering the NFL Draft. For now, the Michigan native is focused on Wednesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl. The 23rd ranked Hawkeyes take an 8-4 record into a game against 14th rated Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 10-2.

Entringer feels the Hawkeyes can make a statement with a win.

Entringer was a captain for a defense that finished the regular season ranked in the top 10 by giving up less than 15 points per game.

The ACGC Girls Basketball team is a perfect 7-0 as the holiday break is here. The Chargers have won each game by at least ten points and haven’t allowed more than 48 points in a game yet. Head Coach Brad Baudler says it’s been an entire team effort to get out to this well of a start.

ACGC has had nine players appear in every game so far with two players averaging double figures. Senior Camdyn Richter and Junior Olivia Mahaffey have been the primary scorers for the Chargers this season. Mahaffey comes off the bench and provides that depth needed to be successful. Baudler says the depth has been a massive piece to the year so far.

The amount of depth provides the energy each and every day on the floor.

ACGC is ranked inside the top ten in each of the major polls and look to continue their perfect season Tuesday, December 6th at Des Moines Christian.

Illinois State shot a sizzling 63 percent and beat Drake 73-56, Monday, in the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs fall to 1-2 in the Valley and suffered their fifth loss at home this season.

That’s Drake coach Eric Henderson, who says the Bulldogs need to become a more physical team.

Drake is 7-7 overall.

The third ranked Iowa State men overcame a sluggish first half, Monday, and beat Houston Christian 89-61 in Ames. Joshua Jefferson led the way with 23 points, Blake Buchanan scored 16 points and added 11 rebounds as ISU moved to 13-0.

The Cyclones open Big-12 play at home on Friday night against West Virginia.