NY Jets: Matt Campbell should be the team’s top head coach target

The NY Jets shouldn’t hesitate to bring in Iowa State’s Matt Campbell for an interview.

The NY Jets have been on the prowl for a head coach for what seems to be every few years. But the answer to their longstanding problems could be Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell.

To this point, the team has now let go of three head coaches since 2010 leading up to the 2021 NFL offseason, where the priority will be to find a leader of 53 young men who can elevate a team that has been too bad, for too long.

It isn’t easy to find “that guy”. Just look at the Jets. They’ve rigorously been trying to find a coach that has the background, knowledge, and moxie to take their team over the top. That guy is sitting right in front of their eyes.

Matt Campbell declined to interview with the Jets back in 2019 when the organization ended up hiring former Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase, who has now been fired. Campbell has everything the Jets want, and need.

A background in program building from when he first took over as head coach at Iowa State, to now where he leads a program that players and staff are proud to name their own.

It isn’t a coincidence that Campbell has turned Iowa State into a yearly competitor, that’s what competent coaches are hired to do.

Matt Campbell could change the culture of the NY Jets’ organization

The Jets haven’t been able to lay their hands on a coach of Campbell’s nature for a while, what feels like decades. It may be time for the Jets to consider gifting Campbell whatever he desires to get him on a plane to Florham Park.

Reports have begun to emerge of the names of various coaches the Jets are set to interview when the time comes — Campbell’s name was not included on that list.

It’s currently still early in the process, as the team is expected to run a comprehensive, methodical search towards their next head coach. Though, it would be intriguing to see Campbell announced as a candidate sooner, rather than later.

Matt Campbell’s overall record at Iowa State from when he took over as head coach in 2016, to now, is 35-28. Not eye-popping, that’s for certain. Though, from 2017-2020, once Campbell rebuilt the program to his liking, his overall record improves to 32-19.

These years highlight Campbell’s greatest seasons as head coach of the Cyclones, competing in various bowl games throughout his tenure.

The Jets need to step up as an organization, bringing in a coach of Campbell’s caliber to lead their franchise for the foreseeable future, and beyond.