The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Matt Campbell is his iconic quote: “If you fall in love with the process, then eventually the process will love you back. See here’s what’s crazy about that, you don’t know when it’s gonna love you back. All you have to do is, you gotta be prepared for your opportunity. When it’s ready to love you back.” Eventually the process loved Matt Campbell back. Looking back, not everybody was pro-Matt Campbell, especially not Kirk Herbstreit. Fast forward to today, the ESPN analyst has had to eat his words for that incorrect prediction.

On September 22nd, longtime podcaster and Iowa State insider Jake Brent took to X and called out Kirk Herbstreit for his past comment about Matt Campbell: “Enjoy this team and this coach, in particular, while you can.” Brent pointed out that Herbstreit basically told Iowa State fans that Campbell wouldn’t be around long, so they should enjoy him while he lasts. Well, eight years later, Herbstreit couldn’t have been more wrong. Since that statement, Matt Campbell now holds the longest tenure in the Big 12. To make things even worse forHerbstreit, Matt Campbell signed an eight-year contract extension last month, which runs through 2033.

Since he became head coach in 2016, Campbell has done some amazing things for Iowa State football. He has helped them become one of the top teams in the Big 12 Conference for the last 5 years. One of Campbell’s biggest achievements is becoming the coach with the most wins in Iowa State history. As of August 27, 2025, he has 65 wins at Iowa State. The previous record holder was Dan McCarney with 56.

2024 was a very special year for Iowa State. The team won 11 games, marking the first time in school history that they reached that milestone. They even played in the Big 12 Championship game and finished the season ranked #15 in the country. Campbell’s success goes beyond just last season. He has led Iowa State to two Big 12 Championship game appearances and seven bowl games, winning three of them, including a memorable victory over Oregon in the 2020 Fiesta Bowl. The first time Iowa State played in such a major bowl.

Under Campbell, Iowa State has had seven winning seasons. To put that in perspective, the team had only six winning seasons in the three decades before his arrival, showing just how much he has improved the program. The Cyclones have also been ranked in the Top 25 for six of the last seven years, a significant accomplishment for the school. Even in 2025, Iowa State program has the look of a bona fide Big 12 title contender once again. The No. 14 Cyclones are a perfect 4-0 and have already navigated some serious early-season landmines, including a huge conference-opening win over Kansas State in Dublin. Matt Campbell has taken the monkey off his back. Eight years on, he’s still in Ames, and that alone makes Kirk Herbstreit’s old doubts about Campbell age badly.

Matt Campbell gives an update ahead of Arizona game

The Iowa State Cyclones are getting ready for Week 5, where they will host the Arizona Wildcats on September 27 at Jack Trice Stadium. It will be a whiteout game, and fans are expected to pack the stands. This will be Iowa State’s first home game since September 6, when they beat the Iowa Hawkeyes to win the Cy-Hawk Trophy. After this one, the Cyclones won’t play at home again for nearly a month, so the atmosphere should be electric.

The game against Arizona comes before a tough stretch of back-to-back road trips. Iowa State will visit Cincinnati and Colorado before returning home for homecoming against BYU on October 25. That makes this matchup with the Wildcats an important one as the Cyclones look to stay indomitable and keep their perfect record alive.

Campbell shared some good news on the injury front this week. Linebacker Carson Willich, tight end Gabe Burkle, defensive back Jontez Williams, and return man Aiden Flora are all expected to be available against Arizona. Willich hasn’t played since the season opener in Ireland but was strong in that game. Burkle has been one of the offense’s top targets, while Williams has been steady on defense and Flora adds value in the return game.

The one setback is kicker Kyle Konrardy, who will miss the game. He has been one of the most reliable special teams players, but Chase Smith will step in until he returns. The good news is Konrardy’s injury isn’t considered long-term.