The Iowa State Cyclones have signed coach Paul Rhoads to a 10-year contract extension, the school announced Friday, taking another Pittsburgh Panthers coaching candidate off the market. The abrupt departure of Todd Graham, who left to take over the Arizona State Sun Devils, sent the Panthers scrambling to fill their coaching vacancy, and Rhoads, the former Pittsburgh defensive coordinator, was among the potential replacements whose name surfaced.
Rhoads served as Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator from 2000-2007 before leaving to take over the same position with the Auburn Tigers. He became Iowa State's head coach one year after that, and has since compiled an 18-19 record over three seasons, with a 1-0 record in bowl games. His Cyclones are due to play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 30.
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