New Iowa State coach: Howdy, partner!

I wanted to put "Howdy, partner" above a photo in Tuesday's Des Moines Register, but I was shot down.

The guy is from Texas, after all. Gene Chizik was a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Longhorns, the defending national champions.

Chizik wasn't on anyone's Iowa State-replacement radar. Probably because no one knew he was looking for a new job, and who would think a guy from Texas would want to come to Iowa State. But to the delight of Cyclone Nation, he's here and Jamie Pollard sure made a splash.

For the most part, Pollard was the search committee, so when he made the announcement to Cyclone fans that a new coach — the No. 1 pick from Day 1 — was hired, the media scrambled in vain.

And if you're wondering, Chizik earns more of a McCarney salary than Ferentz one.

Do you think the former national champion will lead Iowa State to the BCS one day?