AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell announced today that four coaches have been added to his Cyclone football staff.
Tom Manning – offensive line
Tom Manning, a teammate with Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell at Mount Union, and member of Campbell’s staff at Toledo the last four seasons, will join Campbell on his Iowa State staff as offensive line coach.
“Tom is truly one of the best offensive line coaches in the country,” Campbell said. “He’s done a fantastic job developing the line at Toledo. Tom played for me and now coached for me, and he’s one of the great talents in college football right now.”
Manning has played a major role in building Toledo’s potent offense from 2012-15, helping shape Rocket offensive lines that have been among the best in the Mid-American Conference.
The Rockets tallied three nine-win seasons and qualified for a trio of bowl appearances in his four seasons at UT.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here at Iowa State with Coach Campbell,” Manning said. “Hearing about Coach Campbell’s experiences at Iowa State, I knew this was also the right place for our family. The people, you can tell, make the university. That’s the thing that we are excited about the most. Working with the people.”
The 2015 Rocket offensive line had to replace five starters from the season before, but Manning still produced outstanding results. UT ranked in the top-30 in rushing offense and in the top-five in sacks allowed, as the Rockets won nine games and advanced to a bowl game. UT allowed just four sacks in the 12-game regular-season.
In 2014, three Rocket offensive linemen earned All-MAC honors: Greg Mancz, Josh Hendershot and Jeff Myers. Mancz made first-team All-MAC and was named second-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America. Mancz also became the first lineman in MAC history to win the Vern Smith Leadership Award, presented annually to the league’s top player.
UT led the Mid-American in just about every major offensive category in 2014, including scoring offense (36.6), total offense (490.5) and rushing offense (256.4). The season culminated with a nine-touchdown outburst in a 63-44 victory over Arkansas in the GoDaddy Bowl, capping a 9-4 season.
In 2013, Toledo led the nation by allowing just six sacks for the entire season. UT’s offense overall ranked No. 4 in the MAC in total offense (447.3 yards/game) and No. 2 in rushing offense (240.6). Toledo had three offensive linemen make All-MAC in 2013: Zac Kerin, Greg Mancz and Jeff Myers.
In 2012, Manning guided an offensive line that helped power the Rockets to the third-ranked offense in the Mid-American Conference (445.2 yards per game) and a 9-4 mark that included a trip to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Junior center Zac Kerin earned first-team All-MAC honors, while sophomore guard Greg Mancz notched third-team honors.
Manning has also received off-the-field recognition for his role as a recruiter when Rivals.com named him one of the nation’s top recruiters among non-BCS schools in 2013.
Manning’s first stint with the Rockets began in 2009 when he was hired as a graduate assistant. He worked with the offense under then-offensive coordinator Matt Campbell’s guidance. Manning next served as UT’s director of football operations for the 2010 season.
Manning went on to coach the offensive line for Mount Union, his alma mater, in 2011. The Purple Raiders went 14-1 and advanced to the Division III national championship game before losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater, 13-10.
Manning returned to UT in December of 2011. He re-joined the staff in time to coach the Rockets’ offensive line at the 2011 Military Bowl.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Manning was a two-time all-conference player at Ursuline High School. He made first-team all-state as a senior, leading his school to the Division IV state championship in 2000. He played his college ball at Mount Union, where he was a two-time all-conference player at left tackle. Manning, who was a team captain as a senior, helped his team win NCAA Division III national championships in 2002 and 2005. The Purple Raiders had a 59-3 record during his time on the team.
Manning and Campbell were teammates for one season at Mount Union. Campbell also was Manning’s position coach in his senior season with the Purple Raiders.
Manning began his coaching career as the offensive line coach at Massillon (OH) Jackson High School in 2006. His first job at the collegiate level was at Emory & Henry (VA) College, where he was the offensive line/run-game coordinator from 2007-08.
Manning and his wife Sally have a daughter, Josephine.
Alex Golesh – tight ends/recruiting coordinator
Alex Golesh, who spent the last four seasons at Illinois, will reunite with Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell and join his Cyclone staff as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.
Golesh and Campbell were assistants on Toledo’s staff from 2009-11.
“I had the opportunity to work with Alex at Toledo before he left for Illinois, and he laid a great foundation to the talent we had there,” Campbell said. “He has emerged nationally as one of the great recruiters right now and we are lucky to have him here at Iowa State.”
Golesh was the tight ends coach in 2013 and 2015, and worked with the Illini running backs in 2014. He was also recruiting coordinator from 2012-14 and worked with the special teams.
“I’ve worked with Matt before and I am beyond ecstatic to be a member of his coaching staff at Iowa State,” Golesh said. “Honestly, I’ve never met anybody that can lead a group of men, whether it’s the players or staff, like Matt can. He’s just a first-class human being and leader.”
Golesh helped running back Josh Ferguson rank among the nation’s top all-purpose backs in 2014. He was one of only seven players in the nation with over 700 rushing yards and over 400 receiving yards. A preseason Doak Walker Award candidate, Ferguson had 1,162 yards from scrimmage in 2014 (735 rushing, 427 receiving) and recorded 10 TDs on the season (8 rushing, 2 receiving).
Golesh guided a productive group of tight ends that combined for 52 catches, 545 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013, including four touchdowns against Miami (Ohio), the most tight end TDs in a game in school history. He also helped punter Justin DuVernois to a solid season, as the junior posted a 41.1 yard-per-punt average with 10 over 50 yards and 13 downed inside the 20.
Golesh, who was named a top-10 recruiter in the Big Ten by Rivals.com and Scout.com in 2013 and 2015, guided DuVernois to a strong sophomore campaign in 2012 as he ranked fourth in the Big Ten in punting with a 41.9 yard-per-punt average, with a long of 72 yards, 16 fair catches, 19 punts downed inside the 20 yard line and 15 punts of 50 or more yards.
Golesh was on staff at Toledo for three years from 2009-2011, serving as both the tight ends coach and the recruiting coordinator. Golesh aided the UT program in securing the No. 1 recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference in consecutive years. The 2010 UT class was No. 1 according to Rivals.com, while both Rivals and Scout.com rated the 2011 class No. 1.
Golesh’s tight ends served as key blockers in a Rocket rushing attack that ranked No. 3 in the MAC in both 2010 and 2011. In 2009, Golesh coached the running backs at Toledo, helping senior running back DaJuane Collins earn third-team All-MAC honors.
Prior to going to Toledo, Golesh spent three seasons as a graduate assistant, two at Northern Illinois (2006-07) and one at Oklahoma State. Golesh worked with the outside linebackers at Oklahoma State in 2008, helping the Cowboys to a 9-4 record and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. At NIU, Golesh worked for one season assisting with the secondary and one season with the offensive line, helping the Huskies make the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl.
Golesh got his start in the coaching business as a student assistant coach while attending Ohio State as an undergraduate. He spent 2 ½ years aiding the Buckeyes’ defensive coaches, with responsibilities that included working with the defensive line. During his time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes claimed the 2005 Big Ten Championship and went on to earn a victory in the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame. OSU also posted a win in the 2004 Alamo Bowl over Oklahoma State.
Golesh also spent one year as a defensive line coach in a first-year football program at newly opened Westerville Central High School in 2002.
Golesh was born in Moscow, Russia, but grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Dublin, Ohio, where he was a three-year letterwinner in football at Dublin Scioto High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio State in 2006.
Golesh and his wife, Alexis, have a daughter, Corbin, and a son, Barrett.
D.K. McDonald – cornerbacks
D.K. McDonald, who spent the last four years at Toledo, will continue his relationship with Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell and join his Cyclone staff as cornerbacks coach.
“D.K. is a great recruiter and did a nice job with our defensive backfield at Toledo,” Campbell said. “We made great improvements in the secondary in the three years that he was there and will continue to do a tremendous job at Iowa State.”
McDonald has played a critical role in nurturing the Rockets’ rapidly improving secondary. He was also a part of three nine-win campaigns and three bowl teams in his four seasons with the Rockets.
“Coach Campbell is a great, energetic young coach who, most importantly, cares about the kids.” McDonald said. “What Coach Campbell said about Iowa State sold me. Buildings are buildings and facilities are facilities, but being around great people was important to me and my family.”
In 2015, McDonald’s work with the cornerbacks helped the Rockets rank first in the MAC in scoring defense at 21.1 points per game. One of his star corners, Cheatham Norrils, was fifth in the league in breakups with 13. Norrils ended his senior year with 60 tackles and three interceptions, as UT won nine games and earned its third bowl berth in four seasons.
McDonald may have faced his greatest challenge as a coach in 2014 when senior corners Norrils and Cameron Cole were lost for the season due to injuries. But McDonald skillfully guided the Rockets’ young players, helping Toledo go 9-4 and win the GoDaddy Bowl. Junior Christian Dukes led UT cornerbacks with 62 tackles, two interceptions and 10 breakups.
In 2012, Toledo’s secondary helped the Rockets rank among the top 25 in the nation in fourth-down conversions (ninth), red-zone defense (10th), interceptions (18th) and turnovers forced (25th). UT went 9-4 and earned a trip to play Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
A native of Orrville, Ohio, McDonald previously coached defensive backs at Edinboro (2003-05), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2006-10) and William & Mary (2011).
McDonald came to Toledo after one season at William & Mary, where he coached the defensive backs. Prior to that, McDonald was the secondary coach at Indiana (PA) for five seasons. During his tenure with the Crimson Hawks, McDonald mentored a pair of All-Americans and five all-conference performers. Highlighting those standouts was Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, a fourth-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2010. In addition to his coaching duties with the defense, McDonald also served as IUP’s recruiting coordinator.
Prior to his stint at IUP, McDonald coached and coordinated the defensive secondary at his alma mater, Edinboro (PA), from 2003-06. During that time, he developed an All-American and four all-conference honorees. In 2005, the Fighting Scots led the nation in scoring, rushing and total defense and ranked third in passing efficiency defense.
McDonald was a four-year starter at cornerback at Edinboro from 1997-2000. He was a first-team All-PSAC West selection as a junior when he totaled 29 tackles and a team-high 11 pass breakups. McDonald finished his career with 108 tackles, four interceptions and 34 breakups.
McDonald graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 2001 and was a scholar-athlete all four years. He served as the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was an Erie area representative for that organization after his graduation.
McDonald and his wife Kayla have a daughter, Reagan.
John Kuceyeski – director of scouting
John Kuceyeski will join Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell on his Cyclone staff as director of scouting.
“John is a great recruiter, a son of a really successful Chicago football coach and has a great understanding of what we look for in each position,” Campbell said. “He will do a great job leading our scouting department at Iowa State.”
Kuceyeski spent three seasons (2013-15) on Campbell’s staff as director of football operations and director of high school relations.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here in Ames with Coach Campbell,” Kuceyeski said. “Ames is such a great place to recruit to. Our staff already has a great camaraderie and it’s going to be a special journey here the next few months and obviously years to come.”
Kuceyeski began his career as a student-manager and undergraduate assistant coach at Penn State before working for three seasons with the football program at Northwestern. He had a brief stint as the director of player personnel and on-campus recruiting coordinator at Western Michigan before joining the Rockets in 2013.
Kuceyeski, a 2009 graduate of Penn State with a degree in finance, served as the offensive and special teams quality control intern at Northwestern during the 2010 season and moved to the director of offensive quality control in 2011. He became the offensive graduate assistant for the Wildcats in March of 2012, working with the wide receivers in the spring before moving back to the offensive line for fall camp. Kuceyeski also worked with all four phases of special teams during the 2012 season.
Kuceyeski, a native of Libertyville, Illinois, assisted in all phases of the program at Northwestern, including scouting, self-scouting, video breakdown, strength and conditioning, and recruiting. As an assistant to the offensive line in 2012, Kuceyeski helped Northwestern have its most productive season rushing the ball in 10 seasons, ranking 19th nationally.
Kuceyeski worked as a student-manager and undergraduate assistant coach at Penn State from 2005-09, assisting the defensive line. During that period, the Nittany Lions had five defensive linemen selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and won the 2008 Big Ten Championship.
Going back to his days at Penn State, Kuceyeski was a part of eight-straight bowl games, including Northwestern’s 10-win season in 2012 in which the Wildcats’ registered their first bowl win since 1949.
Kuceyeski played safety and linebacker at Libertyville High School where his school was 7A state champions in 2004 and state runner-up in 2003. Kuceyeski’s father, Randy Kuceyeski, was the head coach at Libertyville for 34 years until his retirement following the 2011 season.
