Jamie Pollard, who holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured Director of Athletics in Iowa State history, today confirmed his plans to retire. The nation’s longest-tenured active Power 4 Athletics Director is set to conclude a transformative and innovative 22-year career leading the Cyclones’ 18-sport intercollegiate athletics programme.
His retirement is scheduled to be effective on June 30, 2027, or at an earlier date if a new athletics director is successfully appointed. Iowa State Athletics, based in Ames, Iowa, also stated that a national search for Pollard’s successor will commence in the autumn of 2026.
A Strategic Transition for the Cyclones
Explaining his decision, Pollard commented, "My wife, Ellen, and I look forward to the next chapter in our life’s journey." He further elaborated that it was important for them to transition now, while both are healthy and young, so they can fully enjoy their retirement years.
Pollard expressed gratitude to President Cook for allowing him to share the news at this time. He hopes this announcement will allow the university ample opportunity to properly transition new leadership to the department during what is described as a transformational period in college athletics. He also reflected on his family’s journey, noting, "When we moved to Ames in 2005, we did not anticipate the impact being a Cyclone would have on our family. The personal and professional opportunities our family has experienced during the past 21 years have been truly amazing."
Academic Excellence Under Pollard’s Vision
Under Pollard’s leadership, Iowa State Athletics has been guided to what is described as unprecedented heights over the past two decades. His visionary leadership and relentless commitment were directed towards both academic and athletic excellence, ensuring Iowa State student-athletes thrived in the classroom.
During the 2025-26 academic year, Iowa State student-athletes continued their record-breaking classroom achievements. The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) most recent academic metrics showed ISU’s 95 per cent 2025 institutional Graduation Success Rate (GSR) equalled the school record achieved in the previous three years. This also marked the 11th consecutive year the institution set a new school record in this area.
Additionally, ISU’s most-recent multi-year 992 institutional Academic Progress Rate (APR) also established a new school record. During Pollard’s tenure, Iowa State has earned 27 all-time academic NCAA Public Recognition Awards across 11 different sports, underscoring the department’s commitment to academic success.
Transformative Sporting Achievements
On the sporting front, the Cyclones have achieved significant success, securing 24 Big 12 team titles in eight different sports. The football programme has participated in 11 bowl games, notably winning the 2021 Fiesta Bowl. Furthermore, the men’s basketball team has made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, while the women’s basketball team has featured in 17 NCAA Tournaments.
Iowa State has registered all-time programme-best finishes in nine different sports during his leadership. Impressively, 24 NCAA individual champions have been crowned under his watch. The university has also demonstrated dominance in rivalry contests, winning four of the last five Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, accumulating 11 titles overall.
This past year marked a historic achievement as Iowa State swept the volleyball, football, wrestling, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball matchups in the same year for the very first time. The Cyclones have also consistently performed well nationally, finishing among the nation’s Top 50 in the Learfield Directors’ Cup on nine occasions, including a programme-best 34th-place finish in the 2009-10 season.
President Cook lauded Jamie Pollard’s contributions, stating that his bold vision has produced the most sustained period of academic and athletic excellence in Iowa State’s Athletics history. President Cook added that Cyclones everywhere are incredibly grateful for his leadership.