After 22 years at the helm, Iowa State’s longest-serving Power Four athletic director, Jamie Pollard, is stepping down in June 2027 — a move that, while anticipated, signals a major shift for the program. His legacy is defined by bold coaching hires, including Matt Campbell (football) and T.J. Otzelberger (basketball), both now seen as transformative figures. He also stood firm on controversial policies like banning alcohol in the stadium, defending it as a safety measure — a stance many disagreed with, but one that reflected his deep commitment to fan and player safety. Pollard’s passion and consistency made him a cornerstone of Iowa State athletics, and while his departure leaves a void, he’ll still have a say in selecting his successor. Now, new president David Cook faces the daunting task of not only replacing Pollard but also turning the athletic department’s finances around — a challenge that demands someone who can match Pollard’s vision, leadership, and results.

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After 21 years at the helm, Iowa State’s longtime athletics director Jamie Pollard is stepping down—leaving behind a transformed program amid a wildly changed college sports landscape. He arrived in 2005 to a struggling department and departed with record-breaking fundraising, national-title-caliber football and basketball under his hires, and a revitalized wrestling program. As the AD role now demands CEO-level skills—navigating NIL deals, transfer portal chaos, and conference wars—Pollard’s legacy sets the stage for a new era. With President David Cook at the helm, the search for his successor will be critical: who can carry forward Pollard’s success while mastering the high-stakes, high-pressure world of modern college athletics?

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Iowa State’s Jamie Pollard is retiring next year but isn’t slowing down—his final act includes big moves like launching the next phase of CyTown, greenlighting beer sales at stadiums, keeping championship-hopeful coach T.J. Otzelberger happy, and managing a revamped football roster—all while overseeing the athletic department’s finances and future.

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