Section B·Page 20
The University Daily Kansan
Big 12 Football
Monday, August 16, 1999
Cyclones start with clean slate
Iowa State program rebuilding confidently
By Michael T. Rigg
sportswriter@kanson.com
Kanson sportswriter
For many programs, a 3-8 season and a last place finish in the Big 12 Conference's North Division would have loyal fans and boosters calling for the coach's job.
Not so at Iowa State, whose administrators were so encouraged by last season's team that they gave Coach Dan McCarney a two-year contract extension.
some new traditions on a positive side."
Why all the smiling faces in
Ames? Members of the Cyclone family, including McCarney, are convinced the program is headed in the right direction.
Getting the Cyclones started on new traditions was a common theme last season for McCarney, as he guided his team to victories against cross-state rival Iowa for the first time in 15 years and Kansas for the first time in 10 years.
"I think our administration, our fans and the people who support us know that we built a good foundation," McCarney said. "When you go to turn a program around, you have to stop all the negatives and reach some new solutions and start
Also in '98, Iowa State shut out an opponent for the first time in 14 years with a 38-0 shellacking of Ball State.
For defensive lineman Ryan
Harklau, however, beating Iowa and Kansas doesn't make last year a successful one.
"We didn't have a great season last year, but it gave us confidence to know that we can do that," Harklau said. "We can beat teams we're not suped to beat."
The Cyclones will have the chance to knock off more big names this year. Iowa State has the 22nd toughest schedule in the nation.
Iowa State plays rival Iowa the second week of the season, then embarks on a brutal October in which the Cyclones take on Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado and Texas.
If the Cyclones are going to knock off the
CYCLONES QUICK FACTS
**Coach:** Dan McCarney (4th season)
**Key Losses:** QB Todd Bandhauer, Joe Boe
Parmentier, PK Jamie Kohl
1998 Record: 3-8
Key Returnees: RB Darren Davis, WR Damien Grace, DT James Reed, LB Dave Brcka, SS Jeff Waters
■ Outlook: McCarney's rebuilding job took a giant leap last year with victories against Iowa and Kansas, but the Cyclones may not have enough talent around running back Darren Davis to compete ... yet.
higher rated teams in the Big 12 this season, much of the load will be carried by running back Darren Davis, who will try to make his upcoming senior season his best.
Davis rushed for 1,168 yards last season, and is the team's offensive weapon since the departure of record-setting quarterback Todd Bandhauer and starting fullback Joe Parmentier last season.
The departures have done nothing to calm Davis's preseason hype, however, as he was selected as a member of the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team.
"I can't really predict the future, but
An Iowa State player chases after Kansas wide receiver Termaine Fulton in a 23-20 win by Iowa
State last year in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones ended the year 3-8. Kansan file photo
hopefully I'll just be able to stay healthy," Davis said.
Although predicting the future is too tall
an order for the 5-foot-8 Davis, it is all McCarney, his new contract and Iowa State fans have to look forward to.
New coach Kevin Steele tries to rejuvenate Baylor program
By Mike Miller sportswriter@kansan.com
Kansas sportswriter
By Mike Miller
It can't get much worse for Baylor.
After a 2-9 season, the Bears hired a new coach, revamped the offense and defense and are trying to start from scratch.
For a team that was ranked dead last in the Big 12 in rushing offense, total offense and total defense, starting from scratch is probably a good idea.
Coach Kevin Steele won't have too hard of a time starting anew. Baylor will be his first head coaching job after four years with the Carolina Panthers and six years at Nebraska. Though he maintains he wasn't forced from the Panthers' job, he probably was ready for a new coaching gig.
While acting as the Panthers assistant
coach, Steele got into a heated sideline argument with defensive end Kevin Greene, which ended with Greene choking Steele during a Panthers game.
a fresh start indeed. With smaller players even.
"That incident is not reflective of my character." Steele sa i d.
"Actually, later we were sitting together on the bus when the bus driver came in, looked at us and started to say something when Kevin growled at him, 'Yeah it's us. Want to make something of it?' We went from there."
"All jobs are open," he said. "All the recruits will have a chance to play. We have to create an environment where everyone fights for positions. We're going to get the best players on the field."
On defense, Baylor returns nine starts, led by middle linebacker Rodney Smith. Smith, who has played under three different coaches, is ready for the changes Steele wants.
"For the last two or three years it's been very frustrating. I'm taking that frustration out on getting better." Smith said.
Getting better means improvement in all possible areas.
"We finished last in every type of category you can think of except punting," Steele said. "So I don't think it's going to be very hard to build confidence in these guys."
Confidence will be a necessity for quarterback Odell James. Without a central running back or any returning wide receivers, James is the key to the Baylor offense.
"Odell is just such a natural athlete and leader. He's important for us," said center Joe Jackson.
Patience also will be important. Previous coach Dave Roberts was gone after one year, and Steele will be under fire from day one. But after the incident with Greene last year, not too much rattles Steele anymore.
BEARS QUICK FACTS
1998 Record: 2-9
"At some time the people will want to
Coach: Kevin Steele (1st season)
Key Losses: QB Jermaine Alfred, WR
Morris Anderson
Key Returnees: QB Odell James, LB Rodney Smith, DT Dwight Johnson, C Joe Jackson
Outlook: The Bears might claw their way to two or three wins, but it's no more than a rebuilding year for Steele's team. The offense and defense has nowhere to go up, so anything might be seen as an improvement.
strangle the coach," he said. "Now they'll just say Baylor got smart and hired a pre-strangled coach."
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