After a tumultuous search, Penn State is getting closer to hiring Matt Campbell as their next head coach. The hiring process for Penn State’s next head football coach has not been easy. In fact, it might be generous to describe it as “chaotic.” Since James Franklin was fired by the Nittany Lions earlier this season, the program has started a broad search that has fluctuated between candidates, frequently with little clarity and a lot of conjecture. However, it looks like Penn State is finally focusing on the man they want to guide the program into its next phase after weeks of uncertainty.
Penn State is finalizing an agreement to hire Matt Campbell, the head coach of Iowa State, according to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos. Even though the deal hasn’t been finalized, its momentum has been growing quickly, particularly in the past day. Additionally, it usually indicates that something is about to break when several indicators point in the same direction. This feels like one of those moments.
For years, Campbell’s name has been mentioned in coaching rumors, particularly after he made Iowa State a consistently competitive Big 12 program. It seemed inevitable that a significant program would make a strong push for him, and Penn State, which is at a crucial juncture following the Franklin era, might be the school to do so at last.
Because of his success, he became a popular target for Power Five programs. In 2016, Iowa State brought him to Ames in the hopes that he could turn around a program that had previously struggled to remain relevant in the Big 12. Campbell changed it, not just brought it back to life. Over nearly a decade with the Cyclones, he put together a 72-55 record and led Iowa State to seven bowl games, with an eighth now pending after this season’s 8-4 campaign.
A portion of the story is revealed by those figures, but not all of it. Campbell transformed Iowa State into a formidable opponent. The Cyclones gained a reputation for being tough, disciplined, and willing to fight for every inch. They weren’t the largest, the most ostentatious, and typically didn’t have a lot of five-star recruits. However, they were competitive, well-prepared, and well-coached qualities that typically translate well to major programs.
From that perspective, Penn State’s interest in Campbell makes sense. After a difficult period, the Nittany Lions require stability. They require a culture-builder. They need someone who can develop players, maximize talent, and sharpen the program’s competitive edge. They require leadership that is stable, contemporary, and flexible. Campbell fulfills all of those requirements, and he has done so for a long enough period of time that his resume is credible beyond a single year of success or a brief season. Additionally, all indications suggest that Penn State feels confident enough to move this deal closer to completion, even though nothing is official yet. This situation seems to be nearing the end of the process, but coaching searches can change quickly one phone call or one unexpected candidate can turn everything upside down.
Fans of Penn State have been anticipating clarification. Maybe they’re finally getting it. It would be one of the most interesting coaching decisions of the offseason if the agreement is finalized. There would be a lot of excitement if Matt Campbell entered Happy Valley, and there would be significant repercussions for Iowa State, the Big 12, and even the larger coaching carousel. However, for the time being, Penn State keeps pushing, Campbell keeps assessing, and the college football community keeps a close eye on things. The search seems to be coming to an end. That may be the best news of all for a program that is eager to move on.
