See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: ONE-ON-ONE with Iowa State Head Coach Jimmy Rogers
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: David Pollack
Guest: Jimmy Rogers, Head Coach, Iowa State

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth, candid conversation between host David Pollack and newly appointed Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers. The discussion covers Rogers’ defensive philosophy, building a winning culture at Iowa State, the modern era of college football, and personal traditions and stories that reveal his approach to both coaching and life. Listeners get to know Rogers as a coach shaped by toughness, honesty, and strong values—qualities he believes will help Iowa State compete at the highest level.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defensive Mindset in Modern College Football

Timestamps: 01:22-03:31

• Rogers, a lifelong defensive coach, emphasizes the importance of defense in winning championships, noting the recent resurgence of defense in both college and pro football.
• On what defense brings:
  “I believe in winning on defense and being able to run the football and wear people out...the toughness and the mindset, what it comes with playing defense. I've always just, it's kind of my mentality.” – Jimmy Rogers (01:48)
• Rogers remarks on the increased creativity and disguise in today’s defensive schemes, which has made offenses work much harder for points.

2. Why Iowa State?

Timestamps: 03:31-05:12

• Rogers details his Midwest roots and deep recruiting experience in the region, expressing fondness for Iowa’s people and values.
• “Although at times it, you know, a lot of people feel like this is remote...the kids are wired the right way and they're raised the right way, and they come with...great morals and they're easier to coach and relate to.” – Jimmy Rogers (04:28)
• Competing in the Big 12 and chasing a College Football Playoff berth were a huge draw.

3. Building Culture and Belief

Timestamps: 05:12-06:30

• Pollack and Rogers agree that college football has changed, allowing well-coached programs with strong cultures to win big.
• Rogers believes in building with the “right people”:
  “I believe in team, right—together everyone achieves more. I believe in culture, and I believe in...toughness.” – Jimmy Rogers (05:53)
• He stresses the edge, physicality, and culture necessary to contend for championships.

4. Coaching Style: Seriousness, Honesty, and Authenticity

Timestamps: 06:30-08:28

• Rogers is known for serious intensity and honesty; he acknowledges his “resting (bleep) face” persona but says he values being authentic and tells players the truth.
• “If I was trying to change to fit the mold of somebody else...I'm not really being myself and I don't...think it connects to people. And I don't think the play—I think players see it right through it.” – Jimmy Rogers (07:37)
• He stresses honesty and direct feedback as the best foundation for player development.

5. Setting the Tone with the Team

Timestamps: 08:28-11:11

• Upon arriving amid a coaching change, Rogers focused on listening to his players and understanding their experience, rather than giving a “rah rah” speech.
• He conducted one-on-one meetings with every player, seeking honest feedback on the program’s strengths and weaknesses.
• “When something's not broke, which this program wasn't broke, it doesn't need a full sail change...but just taking in ideas from the players, I think that's sometimes your greatest feedback.” – Jimmy Rogers (09:35)

6. Player Honesty & The Grind of Development

Timestamps: 11:11-13:49

• Rogers appreciates when players reciprocate his honesty, allowing for real progress.
• On mental versus physical grind:
  “At times what we do is I think it takes a certain amount of time to develop a player, especially from the knowledge side...So we do meet and we do quite a bit of walkthroughs and at times it could feel like a...grind. A grind? Yeah. Mental grind more than it is physical at times.” – Jimmy Rogers (12:02)
• Stresses teaching football from both the basics to the nuanced, with a focus on strong foundations.

7. Navigating the Transfer Portal & Staff Building

Timestamps: 13:49-17:28

• The modern game requires constant adaptation: Rogers oversaw record numbers of transfers at both Washington State and now Iowa State (81 transfers in the current year).
• On change:
  “...this is the modern era of college football. When a coaching change happens, the players have, you know, you have these agents coming in...you have, you know, other opponent teams coming in...the players that are currently here don't know you yet. And so you're trying to make up ground as far as relationships and painting a picture of what their life will be like.” – Jimmy Rogers (14:54)
• Highlighted staff cohesion and regional expertise as key to recruiting success and program stability.

8. Offensive Philosophy & Scheme Adaptation

Timestamps: 17:28-20:19

• Rogers values offensive multiplicity: different looks, basic plays executed at high speed, and physicality.
• Importance of communication and adaptability on both sides of the ball.
• “The more multiple you can be as far as what you display formations as and then be able to shift, trade, motion, it creates all these little nuances and puts defenses in a bind.” – Jimmy Rogers (18:40)
• Defensive mentality shapes his offensive approach—prioritizing knowing assignments and attacking with physicality.

9. Team Traditions: The Burger Eating Contest

Timestamps: 20:19-22:18, 24:46-25:34

• Rogers describes the famed “burger eating contest” tradition from fall camp, which bonds players and coaches.
• “There's a trophy and everything...the freshman DBs sing the national anthem prior. Yeah. And then we sing the fight song after the burger [contest].” – Jimmy Rogers (21:30)
• Notable moment: Players so committed they would “throw up in the water cup and then drink it down” to win. (21:44)
• Rogers has participated three times—never won, but got close as a freshman.

10. Family, Hobbies, and Personal Side

Timestamps: 25:34-32:46

• First calls after being hired: his wife, parents, key staff—reflecting on excitement, responsibility, and the challenge of moving after signing day.
• For fun, Rogers enjoys the outdoors, lakes, fishing, and golf (but “sucks” at it).
• On golf:
  “If I'm going to be on a golf course and say it's fun, there'll be a brewski in my hand and I'll be on the [cart].” – Jimmy Rogers (29:13)
• Values spending time with his children and teaching them to compete and carry themselves well, more than just winning.
• “I would tell you my kids are a blessing to me because losing sucks, and we experienced some tough ones this last season, and they don't care, you know, they just want to give you a hug. So, honestly, having kids was the best blessing of my life.” – Jimmy Rogers (32:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On defensive philosophy:
  “I believe in winning on defense and being able to run the football and wear people out...that’s kind of my mentality.” – Jimmy Rogers (01:48)

• On culture and the new landscape of college football:
  “Anybody can win these days...if you can get your players to play with their hair on fire...with a certain level of edge and physicality.” – Jimmy Rogers (05:53)

• On authenticity as a coach:
  “If I was trying to change to fit the mold of somebody else...I don't think it connects to people. And I think players see it right through it.” – Jimmy Rogers (07:37)

• On the burger eating contest:
  “People throwing up into their water cup and then drinking it down. It’s pretty…” – Jimmy Rogers (21:44)
  “There's a winner, and there's a loser, so you gotta try to compete.” – Jimmy Rogers (25:31)

• On parenting and perspective:
  “Having kids was the best blessing of my life.” – Jimmy Rogers (32:15)

Key Timestamps

• Defensive Mindset & Modern Football: 01:22–03:31
• Why Iowa State: 03:31–05:12
• Building Culture & Belief: 05:12–06:30
• Coaching Style & Authenticity: 06:30–08:28
• First Team Message & Player Feedback: 08:28–11:11
• Portal & Roster Overhauls: 13:49–17:28
• Offensive Philosophy & Scheme Adaptation: 17:28–20:19
• Hamburger Eating Contest Tradition: 20:19–22:18, 24:46–25:34
• Family, Hobbies, and Personal Side: 25:34–32:46

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode is direct, energetic, and thoughtful—reflecting both Pollack’s straightforward hosting and Rogers’ no-nonsense, values-driven approach. Listeners come away with an authentic sense of who Jimmy Rogers is: a coach with a passion for defense, an advocate for honesty, and a leader determined to build a physical, disciplined, and tight-knit program at Iowa State. His blend of coaching intensity and personal humility underscores Iowa State’s aspirations in a shifting college football landscape.