I think they chose Iowa State for reasons other than wanting to be in Ames and wanting to be a Cyclone. Some of those pieces aren't in place anymore.

We've got (Iowa coach) Steve Alford and (Iowa State coach) Wayne Morgan to thank. If they were not willing to play us, we'd be sitting where Missouri State is.

Part of me could have stayed at Northern Iowa forever and sailed off into the sunset. But the competitive side of me wanted to coach in the Big 12 conference and wanted to attempt to win a championship in the Big 12 conference.

I think (Thompson) understands that.

It's like a mini Iowa-Iowa State.

Basically for personal reasons he chose to put his hand up.