Walden Accepts Job as Iowa State Coach

Football Coach Jim Walden of Washington State University said Monday that he will resign to become coach at Iowa State.

Walden broke down in tears at a late-morning news conference at which he confirmed reports of his new job.

“It’s not an easy decision,” Walden told reporters. “I love this place.” He added that the Big Eight school’s commitment to sports had won him over.

In nine seasons at WSU, Walden has a 44-52-4 record. The Cougars were 3-7-1 this season, with a 2-6-1 record in the Pacific 10 that included a victory over USC and a 21-21 tie with conference champion Arizona State.

Walden, 48, said that no counter-offers had been made by Washington State. “Money is not getting me over there in the first place,” he said. “I don’t know if money would have kept me.”

Washington State athletics face a deficit of at least $250,000, and a meeting is scheduled this week to determine which sports, if any, will be trimmed next year.