AMES — Jamie Pollard announced Friday he will step down as Iowa State University’s athletic director after a 22-year run that transformed Cyclone athletics on and off the field. Pollard, 61, plans to retire effective June 30, 2027, though the university said he could leave sooner if a replacement is hired.
Long tenure, big changes
Pollard became the longest-tenured athletics director in school history. During his time in Ames, the athletics department saw major growth in fundraising, facility investments and high-profile coaching hires that reshaped several programs. Those shifts helped turn Iowa State into a more prominent player in the Big 12 and in national college athletics conversations.
Coaching hires that altered programs
Many fans point to a string of successful head-coach hires as a central part of Pollard’s legacy. Among the notable moves were appointments that boosted the visibility and competitiveness of top programs, particularly in men’s basketball and football.
- Fred Hoiberg was brought in during the early 2010s and led the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and several 20-win seasons.
- T.J. Otzelberger returned to Ames in 2021 and has kept the Cyclones consistent, including multiple NCAA Tournament berths.
- Matt Campbell was hired before the 2016 season and guided the football program to several winning campaigns, including a first-place Big 12 regular-season finish in 2020.
Fundraising and facilities
Under Pollard’s leadership, athletics fundraising climbed substantially. Annual donations for the athletic department rose from roughly $9 million the year before his arrival to a record amount in the 2025-26 academic year. Pollard also helped secure major gifts and directed more than $400 million toward construction and renovations across campus athletic facilities.
| Measure | Notable figure |
|---|---|
| Annual fundraising (pre-Pollard) | $9 million (approx.) |
| Annual fundraising (2025-26) | $53 million |
| Major facility investment under Pollard | More than $400 million |
| Signature gift (Jack Trice expansion) | $25 million |
What comes next
The university has signaled it will begin a search for a successor. Pollard’s departure opens a high-stakes hiring decision for Iowa State leaders: whoever follows will inherit programs with improved facilities, larger budgets and elevated expectations from fans and donors.
For Ames and Cyclone supporters across Iowa, the transition marks the end of a significant era. Pollard’s influence on coaching staffs, fundraising capacity and campus athletic infrastructure will shape decisions and priorities for years to come.
As the search begins, athletic boosters, alumni and state observers will be watching how the university balances continuity with new direction for its athletics department.
