Iowa State Football Building Offense From Scratch

New offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl assembles staff with diverse backgrounds to install his vision for the Cyclones' attack.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Iowa State's new football coaching staff is working to build the offense from the ground up this offseason. Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl has assembled a staff with diverse backgrounds, as only one of his five position coaches has worked with him previously. The group is focused on teaching Roehl's offensive system to the coaches and aligning on the identity and philosophy before installing it with the players in spring practice.

Why it matters

Iowa State is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season and establish a new offensive identity under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers. Roehl's ability to quickly get his staff on the same page and implement his vision for the offense will be crucial to the Cyclones' success in 2026.

The details

Roehl said the biggest challenge so far has been getting his new coaching staff, which includes position coaches from various backgrounds, to see the game through his lens and align on the offense's schemes, checks, and overall philosophy. The group is meeting daily to work through these details before spring practice begins next month. While Roehl has a clear idea of the physical, run-first identity he wants to establish, he acknowledges that the specifics of the offense will take time to solidify as they get to know the personnel.

  • Spring practice is quickly approaching for the Cyclones.
  • The coaching staff is working to get on the same page before installing the offense with players next month.

The players

Jimmy Rogers

First-year head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones who will be heavily involved in the team's defense.

Tyler Roehl

Offensive coordinator for the Iowa State Cyclones, tasked with installing a new offensive system and identity.

Jesse Bobbit

Defensive coordinator for the Iowa State Cyclones, who previously worked with head coach Jimmy Rogers at South Dakota State and Washington State.

Seth Hestness

Tight ends coach for the Iowa State Cyclones, the only member of the offensive staff who has previously worked with coordinator Tyler Roehl.

Jake Thornton

Offensive line coach for the Iowa State Cyclones, a close colleague of coordinator Tyler Roehl who has been trying to join the same staff for years.

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What they’re saying

“Having them see the game through my vision, through my lens and then all the different ways we can activate schemes, checks at the line of scrimmage – there's a whole step-by-step process.”

— Tyler Roehl, Offensive Coordinator (amestrib.com)

“This offensive system, (I have to) teach it to the coaches. We're doing that every single day right now. From alignment to stances to the intent of the play.”

— Tyler Roehl, Offensive Coordinator (amestrib.com)

“I probably talked more football with coach Roehl the last eight or nine years than anybody I haven't been in an actual room with.”

— Jake Thornton, Offensive Line Coach (amestrib.com)

What’s next

The coaching staff will continue working to align on the offense's identity and install the system during spring practice, which begins next month.

The takeaway

Rebuilding an offense from scratch is a significant challenge, but Iowa State's new coaching staff is embracing the opportunity to shape the Cyclones' identity on that side of the ball. Their ability to quickly get on the same page and implement Roehl's vision will be crucial to the team's success in 2026.