Iowa State heads into the 2026 Big 12 season at a turning point. After years of stability and progress under Matt Campbell, the Cyclones are beginning a new chapter without the coach who helped lift the program to heights it had not previously reached.
Campbell’s tenure reshaped expectations in Ames and gave Iowa State one of the most successful stretches in its history. That makes his departure especially significant, because it comes with a program now facing major turnover and a roster that has been heavily thinned out.
The immediate question for the Cyclones is how quickly they can rebuild. Replacing the structure, consistency and identity that defined the Campbell era will not be easy, especially in a competitive Big 12 where depth and experience can make a major difference over the course of a season.
For Iowa State, 2026 looks less like a continuation and more like a reset. The season will likely be defined by how well the Cyclones establish a new foundation, develop remaining talent and begin shaping what the next version of the program will look like.
