Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads fired offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham and running backs coach Kennith Pope, one day after the Cyclones scored 52 points in an overtime win at West Virginia.
Messingham and Pope had been part of the staff since Rhoads took over in 2009 and he is looking to jump start a program that has suffered four straight losing seasons, including a dissapointing 3-9 mark this year.
Rhoads issued this statement: “I want to thank both Courtney and Kenith for their service to Iowa State. “They have great character and work ethic, and have been excellent ambassadors for the university and community. They worked hard to help elevate our program and have been an important part of the success we have had in this program the last five years.”
Iowa State will begin an immediate search to fill both positions. Rhoads did not specify a time frame for concluding the search and will have no further comment until he gets off the road recruiting in two weeks.