Iowa State's Matt Campbell named Big 12 Conference coach of the year

What a week it's been for Matt Campbell.

The Iowa State football coach was rewarded with a new contract on Monday, celebrated his 38th birthday on Wednesday and received some more good news on Thursday.

Campbell was named the Big 12 Conference's coach of the year as selected by the league’s coaches.

The second-year coach shocked the college football landscape with an impressive season full of monumental moments.

Campbell guided the Cyclones to a 7-5 overall record and a 5-4 mark in Big 12 play. The Cyclones, who were picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll, tied for fourth. Iowa State also tied the school record for conference wins in a season (five) and won four road games, tying for fourth-most in school history.

Campbell wasn’t the only one recognized by the league Thursday. A total of 20 Iowa State players were awarded postseason honors.

Wide receiver Allen Lazard, safety Kamari Cotton-Moya and running back David Montgomery picked up first-team all-Big 12 recognition. Linebacker/quarterback Joel Lanning, defensive end J.D. Waggoner, offensive lineman Jake Campos, cornerback Brian Peavy and tight end Chase Allen were named to the second team.

Lazard earned first-team all-Big 12 honors for the second consecutive season. He's the first Iowa State offensive player to be a two-time first-team pick since Ennis Haywood.

Iowa State tallied arguably the biggest win in school history when the Cyclones won at then-No. 3 Oklahoma in October. The Cyclones became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2012 later in the month by beating then-No. 4 Texas Christian.

The achievements earned the Cyclones a ranking in The Associated Press' top 25 for the first time since 2005. Iowa State even made its first appearance in the College Football Playoff rankings.

It all happened thanks to Campbell, who took over a program that won just eight total games from 2013-15. The Cyclones went 3-9 in Campbell’s first season, but the 2017 turnaround was swift.

Campbell instantly became of the most buzzworthy coaching names in college football. His name was linked with multiple job openings. Those talks quickly died down when Campbell agreedin principle to a new, six-year deal worth $22.5 million. (The new contract has yet to be signed.)

Iowa State announced the deal on Monday — two days before Campbell's 38th birthday. Another big payday is on the way for Campbell, who receives a $50,000 bonus for winning Big 12 coach of the year honors.

Elsewhere, JaQuan Bailey (defensive end), Hakeem Butler (wide receiver), Colin Downing (punter), Julian Good-Jones (offensive lineman), Willie Harvey (linebacker), Kyle Kempt (quarterback), Ray Lima (defensive lineman), Garrett Owens (place kicker), D’Andre Payne (cornerback), Trever Ryen (wide receiver/punt return), Sam Seonbuchner (tight end) and Marcel Spears Jr. (linebacker) were honorable-mention all-Big 12 picks.