Penn State Eyes Matt Campbell for Head Coaching Position
In a bid to restore some enthusiasm in Happy Valley, Penn State is reportedly in talks to hire Matt Campbell, the head coach of Iowa State. This comes nearly two months after dismissing James Franklin.
Multiple news sources indicate that while discussions are ongoing, there are still several steps needed to wrap up the agreement—like finalizing terms and approving compensation, as noted by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Franklin’s departure followed a 54-day investigation and occurred after Penn State suffered its third consecutive loss, a particularly disheartening one against Northwestern. This resulted in them finishing the season with a 6-6 record, which was disappointing enough to leave them out of postseason bowl games.
Campbell has been with Iowa State since 2016 and has achieved a 72-55 record there, with a 3-4 bowl game record. Over his entire coaching career, including his earlier years with Toledo, he boasts a total of 107 wins against 70 losses.
It’s interesting to note that several other candidates previously considered for the role at Penn State decided to stay put at their current institutions. For instance, BYU’s Kalani Sitake opted to extend his contract instead of making the move. Other coaches like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule likewise chose to remain with their teams, despite interest from Penn State.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit commented on the situation, admitting he thought Campbell was untouchable by any other team, especially given how Iowa State had successfully held onto him in the past. He mentioned that if Penn State manages to secure Campbell, it will involve considerable effort.
On a separate note, Franklin has transitioned to Virginia Tech, reportedly signing a substantial five-year contract worth $41.75 million, which doesn’t include a negotiated buyout of $49 million.
This coaching shuffle is part of a larger trend unfolding in NCAA football, highlighted by recent notable changes, including Lane Kiffin stepping in for Brian Kelly at LSU, and intriguing moves for other programs like Florida, which is expected to bring in Tulane’s John Sumrall.
