This is part 3 of a 3 part series on Iowa State hiring Gene Chizik.

Iowa State was able to show Gene Chizik that they were committed to football when recruiting him to be their next head football coach. Obviously, the easiest way to show that is by throwing lots of cash on the table. That’s exactly what Iowa State did. Chizik signed a six year deal worth up to $10+ million with incentives. $6.75 is guaranteed. Perhaps more impressively is that Iowa State is allowing Chizik to spend $1.5 million on his coaching staff. That ranks third in the Big 12, meaning Iowa State will be paying its assistant football coaches more than one of the three traditional powers of Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska. That’s a commitment like never before for that program.

Meet the driving force behind this commitment: Athletic Director Jamie Pollard. In less than two years at Iowa State he has already racked up a laundry list of accomplishments. Previously, he was Barry Alvarez’s right-hand man at Wisconsin. In his first full football season as AD he helped Iowa State set a record for season ticket sales. At this time, Iowa State is less than 1,000 2007 season ticket sales from topping that number. $135 million plans for a renovation to Jack Trice Stadium, including more luxury suites and closing in one end of the stadium, and to their basketball stadium have been approved. Pollard is making things happen at Iowa State. Pollard clearly understands the magnitude of hiring Chizik.

But Pollard delivered his most impressive sign to Chizik about his commitment before the two even spoke. Pollard’s decision to replace Dan McCarney clearly showed that he was ready to elevate Iowa State football. McCarney had taken the Cyclones to five bowl games in six years – something unheard of in Ames – and many thought he would coach there for as long as he wanted. McCarney beat Iowa six out of the last nine seasons, but Pollard wanted more. Pollard admitted it was a tough decision and clearly it was, but it was the right decision and Pollard did it in the right way. McCarney enjoyed the sendoff of an all-time great, which he deserved. Chizik even thanked McCarney in his opening press conference. But Pollard didn’t allow for the presence of a lame duck great stand in his way to improving his football program. Other programs should consider trying to use the momentum from a coach like McCarney to upgrade their situation, but few would be able to do it in the smooth fashion Pollard did.

Iowa State fans should thank McCarney for elevating their program from the absolute bottom. They should also understand how fortunate they are to have an AD who was able to understand the need to upgrade from an old great, to pull the switch off in a seamless fashion, and to hire the right man. And of course, Cyclone fans should be ecstatic that Gene Chizik chose Iowa State as the program he wanted to make great.