That's right, head coach Gene Chizik is getting his likeness emblazoned onto a commemorative coin. A freakin' coin. Rumor is that paper money featuring his likeness in Argentina is starting to wear out and get old.
In actuality, the coin will be used during the pre-game coin toss at Iowa State games.
Jacquie Holm-Smith, spokeswoman for Community State Bank, says they worked with Cyclone Sports Properties which holds the multi-media rights for ISU athletics on the idea. She says two versions of the coin will be available. One is antique gold, while the other version has red inlaid accents around the border.
Holm-Smith says it's a way to mark the new season with a new coaching staff, and celebrate the football team as a whole. The coin goes on sale July 16th and will sell for $15. It will be used for the first time on August 30th when the Cyclones open the season against Kent State.
One has to wonder just how many teams have coin tosses with the likeness of their coach on the coin. A quick Googling doesn't reveal much, but I'm willing to bet we're pretty unique with this one. Let's hope Mean Gene's face will help us during that pivotal toss, if nothing else.