Penn State SHOCKER: Is Matt Campbell the Next Head Coach?!

State College, PA – It looks like Happy Valley is about to get a new sheriff in town. Multiple sources, including The Athletic and ESPN, are reporting that Penn State is deep in discussions with Iowa State's Matt Campbell to become the Nittany Lions' next head football coach. And honestly, this could be a real game-changer for the program.

Penn State SHOCKER: Is Matt Campbell the Next Head...

Penn State, remember, started the season with sky-high expectations, ranked number two after that impressive CFP semifinal appearance last year. But things kind of sputtered out, and they finished a somewhat disappointing 3-3 under interim coach Terry Smith. They're still waiting for their bowl assignment, but the bigger news is clearly this potential coaching hire.

Now, Matt Campbell is no slouch. He's the all-time winningest coach at Iowa State, which, let's be honest, is no easy feat. He transformed a program that had been wandering in the wilderness for decades. We're talking about a 72-55 record, eight winning seasons, three bowl victories, and even that incredible 11-win season last year where they almost snagged the Big 12 championship. It’s a testament to his coaching ability, his talent for finding diamonds in the rough, and frankly, his sheer will to win.

Before Iowa State, Campbell did a solid job at Toledo for five years, bringing his overall head coaching record to a very respectable 107-70. He even signed a contract extension with Iowa State back in August, a deal that was set to pay him $5 million annually through 2032. The buyout clause is around $2 million, which, for a program like Penn State, is probably just a minor detail to iron out.

Born and raised in Ohio, Campbell would be Penn State's 17th full-time coach. He’s inheriting a team that's facing some challenges on the recruiting front, especially after a rocky early signing period. They only managed to secure two players for their 2026 recruiting class, and currently have zero commitments for the 2027 class. So, yeah, there's work to be done.

It'll be interesting to see how current Nittany Lions players react. They'll have to decide whether they want to stick around under Campbell, a coach who, as I mentioned, has a reputation for squeezing every ounce of potential out of his teams, often with limited resources. He's also reportedly turned down other offers, even some from the NFL, which says something about his long-term vision for the right program.

Athletic director Pat Kraft ran this coaching search solo, without a search committee. And, somewhat surprisingly, a lot of Penn State players were pushing for Terry Smith, a Penn State alum and a long-time veteran of James Franklin's staff, to get the permanent gig. After that Nebraska win on November 22nd, players were even holding up "HIRE TERRY SMITH!" signs on the sidelines. It's always complicated when there's a sentimental favorite in the mix.

Penn State, of course, is still adjusting to life after Joe Paterno’s incredible 46-year run. The search for his successor back in 2011, amidst all that Jerry Sandusky scandal turmoil, took 40 long days. Bill O'Brien was eventually brought in on January 7th. And then, just two years later, O'Brien left for the NFL, and Franklin arrived nine days after that. So, things have been a bit… turbulent, to say the least. Now, the university seems ready to write a new chapter with Matt Campbell at the helm. Let's see what he can bring to the program. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.)