After struggling to find a suitable candidate, Penn State has shifted its gaze to a notable name within the Big 12, targeting Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. This development comes after the Nittany Lions had initial discussions with Campbell on Thursday.
Campbell has carved out an impressive record of 72 wins and 55 losses over a decade at Iowa State, continuously linked to various coaching jobs within the Big Ten yet choosing to stay at his current position until now. His previous experience includes leading Toledo with a 35-15 record over five seasons.
While the wait for Campbell to emerge as a potential candidate has been lengthy, his impressive performance signifies that he could excel at Penn State. Campbell transformed Iowa State from a mediocre team into a consistent competitor in the Big 12. After starting his tenure with a three-win season, he has not suffered a losing season since 2017, boasting five consecutive bowl appearances and the program’s first-ever trip to a conference championship game in 2024.
Should Penn State successfully hire Campbell, it stands as a significant turnaround following a coaching search where many candidates declined interest, leaving the program stagnant. Notable candidates have recently locked up contract extensions or engaged in talks with their institutions, including Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, who recently denied any connection to Penn State.
The prolonged search hurt the program’s recruiting efforts, with only two recruits signed, impacting their future immediately. For Campbell, bringing in fresh talent via the transfer portal when it reopens on January 2 will be crucial.
The expectations at Penn State are notably high; Campbell’s task would not only be to maintain competitive consistency, but also to elevate the program to new heights. With an urgent need for a breakthrough, Campbell would have to overcome the team’s historical struggles against top competition.
A hallmark of a successful coach is surpassing expectations, and Campbell has proven adept at this. Under his guidance, Iowa State enjoyed AP Top 25 recognition during nearly all of his years while making it to seven bowl games.
While the expectation at Penn State would demand high-level recruiting, Campbell will need to showcase an ability to attract top-tier prospects, a challenge he didn’t face as intensely during his time at Iowa State.