CW Pod: REACTION - Jared Benko Named Iowa State AD! What’s Next for the Cyclones?

Iowa State has hired Jared Benko as its next athletic director. Chris Williams is joined by Jake Brend and Levi Stevenson for an in-depth reaction to the hire, the challenges facing Cyclone Athletics, and what Benko’s leadership could mean for the next era in Ames. The crew examines Benko’s background at Auburn and Georgia Southern, his fundraising experience, and the growing importance of NIL, revenue sharing, and financial strategy in college athletics. They also discuss the legacy of Jamie Pollard, the role of Iowa State President David Cook, and why the decisions made now could shape the program for decades. Plus, the guys debate the proposed expansion of the College Football Playoff, including what a larger field could mean for Iowa State and other programs outside the sport’s traditional powerhouses. They also look at the Week 7 college football landscape before wrapping up with some lighter conversation. Watch the CW Pod weekly on Iowa Everywhere. 00:00 Intro 03:40 Benko’s Fundraising Background and NIL Experience 10:10 Replacing Jamie Pollard: The Challenges Facing Iowa State 18:15 Iowa State’s Future, Leadership and Financial Priorities 26:20 What Benko Needs to Do to Connect With Cyclone Fans 35:30 Fundraising, Fan Support and Building Revenue 43:20 College Football Playoff Expansion: Who Benefits? 54:30 Week 7 Matchups and the Big 12’s Playoff Chances 1:04:10 Could a Bigger Playoff Change Iowa State’s Future? 1:12:20 Who Should Decide the Playoff Field? 1:17:30 Closing Conversation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices