Jimmy Rogers enters his 1st season at Iowa State with a revamped roster following Campbell's exit

Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers reacts to a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against James Madison, Nov. 22, 2025, in Harrisonburg, Va. (AP Photo/Ryan M. Kelly, File)

2025 record: 8-4

Matt Campbell’s departure for Penn State ignited a mass exodus of players and new coach Jimmy Rogers had to bring in 47 transfers. Rogers, who went 6-6 in his one season at Washington State, knows that this season is going to have plenty of challenges.

“I’ve said it before, they are going to have to suffer through hard times to become the team that they want to be,” Rogers said.

Rogers, who probably overachieved with 75 newcomers at WSU in 2025, sent a message in an On3.com Big 12 coaches’ survey when he picked the Cyclones to make the conference championship game. That would seem a big stretch for a program that basically is starting over after a largely successful 10-year run under Campbell.