Penn State Set to Hire Matt Campbell as New Head Football Coach

Penn State University is on the verge of finalizing an agreement with Matt Campbell, the current head coach of Iowa State University, to take over as the new head football coach for the Nittany Lions. This development follows a thorough search that began after the dismissal of James Franklin on October 12, 2023, during his twelfth season with the team. Reports indicate that Penn State officials are enthusiastic about the prospective hire, with one source exclaiming, “We have our man!”

In his ten seasons at Iowa State, Campbell has compiled a record of 72-55, including an impressive 50-40 in the Big 12 Conference. This season, he led the Cyclones to an 8-4 finish. Known for his ability to develop overlooked talent, Campbell has earned recognition as a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year. He guided the Cyclones to their first two top 15 finishes in school history and has a competitive record of 4-6 against top 10 teams.

Coaching Search Progress and Interviews

The search for a new head coach has been extensive, as Penn State’s Director of Athletics, Pat Kraft, evaluated several candidates. Initially, the university expressed interest in coaches such as Kalen DeBoer from Alabama, Mike Elko of Texas A&M, and Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame. Earlier this week, Kalani Sitake of BYU emerged as a top target; however, he opted to remain with the Cougars. Following this decision, Kraft conducted interviews with various coaches, including former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, and Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

According to Ross Dellenger from Yahoo Sports, Penn State officials interviewed Campbell on Wednesday and met with him in Iowa the following evening, indicating a strong interest in securing his services.

Campbell’s Coaching Legacy and Future Prospects

As the winningest coach in Iowa State’s history, Campbell has significantly impacted the program, which historically has struggled, remaining over 100 games under .500 since its inception. His recent success includes securing the highest-ranked recruiting class in Iowa State history, signing 22 prospects who rank 48th nationally according to 247 Sports.

Before his tenure at Iowa State, Campbell played college football at Mount Union, where he contributed to three national titles as a defensive lineman from 1999-2002. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 2003 and eventually became the youngest head coach in FBS history when he took the reins at Toledo in 2011. He recorded a 35-15 record over four seasons with the Rockets, further establishing his reputation as a capable leader.

Looking ahead, Campbell’s appointment at Penn State represents a pivotal moment for the Nittany Lions as they aim to return to national prominence in college football. His ability to identify and develop talent could play a crucial role in revitalizing the program and enhancing its competitiveness in the Big Ten Conference.