I returned home tonight after attending a religious concert at a church in Johnston, turned on my computer and saw the story.

The AP reported that Ennis Haywood, the former standout running back at Iowa State who was trying to win a job with the Dallas Cowboys, had died.

At 23.

Yes, at 23, this athlete who ranks fifth in career rushing at Iowa State with 2,862 yards and sixth in touchdowns with 27, is dead.

Mysteriously, I might add.

Still, as big a shocker as you can imagine.

"The cause of death at this time is unknown," hospital spokeswoman Diane Stout told the wire service in Dallas.

Haywood died at the Medical Center of Arlington after being placed on life support with an undisclosed illness.

Tom Kroeschell, Iowa State’s sports information director, said Haywood, a two-time all-Big 12 Conference player, was taken to the hospital early Saturday after waking up feeling ill and vomiting.

"Like everyone in the Cyclones’ football family, we are shocked and saddened beyond words," Iowa State Coach Dan McCarney told the AP. "Ennis was one of the classiest gentlemen there has ever been, on and off the field. He was an unbelievable competitor, and one of the most tenacious football players I’ve ever been around."

He led the team in rushing in the preseason with 120 yards on 31 carries. He participated in the cowboys’ three-day mini-camp last week, and was expected to compete for a roster spot at halfback.

As a senior, Haywood ran for 1,169 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Big 12.

Heading into that season, I interviewed him for a story I was writing for a Big 12 magazine.

I recall how confident he seemed.

"The way Ennis Haywood looks at it, 1,500 is a nice number," I wrote.

"And the words ‘bowl game’ have a nice ring to them," I added.

Haywood told me he’d "be pleased if I could run for 1,500 yards. If I could do that, everything else will fall into place."

McCarney was high on Haywood then, too.

"The thing that helps make Haywood good is that he’s one of the toughest guys on the team," McCarney said. "He’s very durable. He’s also a real unselfish player who makes a lot of yards after contact."

Now comes this horrible news.

What a tragedy.

Jeff Lebo?

Wayne Morgan?

Hell, they might as well bring back Johnny Orr to be Iowa State’s next basketball coach.

Orr and Lebo probably go to the same barber anyway.

At least Orr created Hilton Magic at Iowa State.

I’m not sure Lebo or Morgan even know what Hilton Magic is. Or was.

Iowa State’s search for someone to replace Larry Eustachy has been, in a word, underwhelming.

I’ll bet Kelvin Sampson at Oklahoma, Bill Self at Kansas and Rick Barnes at Texas are shaking in their Nikes now that Bruce Van De Velde and Cyclone Nation are debating between Lebo and Morgan.

I guess the first clue that Iowa State was in trouble was when Creighton’s Dana Altman said he didn’t even want to be interviewed for the job.

That’s like saying the Yankees’ Double-A manager doesn’t want to interview with George Steinbrenner for the job to succeed Joe Torre with the big club.

I seem to recall suggesting a while back that maybe the ball-boy would be the ideal choice to coach the Cyclones.

After looking at the so-called finalists, I think I was right.