Sources report that Penn State has recruited Matt Campbell, the head coach of Iowa State.

Penn State has reportedly concluded its lengthy coaching search by reaching an agreement with Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to lead the Nittany Lions. Multiple sources indicated that the deal, anticipated to span eight years, will position Campbell among the top-paid coaches in college football.

The decision follows Penn States early-season move to part ways with James Franklin in October after a three-game losing streak. Despite initiating its search ahead of most major programs, the school faced setbacks as several coaching candidates declined interest. BYUs Kalani Sitake and Louisvilles Jeff Brohm both opted to remain with their current teams.

Campbell arrives after transforming Iowa State into a consistent contender since taking over in 2015. Under his leadership, the Cyclones accumulated a 72-55 record across ten seasons, achieving only two losing campaigns. The program posted five seasons with at least eight victories and reached the Big 12 title game last year with a College Football Playoff berth at stake.

Before his success in Ames, Campbell guided Toledo to a 35-15 record over five seasons. A native of Ohio, he previously served as an assistant at Toledo and Bowling Green and played collegiately at Division III powerhouse Mount Union.

Iowa State endured six consecutive losing seasons prior to Campbells arrival, and the bowl streak established under his tenure from 2017 to 2021 remains the longest in school history. He also holds the programs all-time wins record, eclipsing previous long-tenured coaches by a significant margin.

Campbell steps into a Penn State program that opened the 2025 season with top-tier expectations. Ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP poll, the Nittany Lions began 3-0 before a string of losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern derailed their campaign and led to Franklins dismissal.

Interim coach Terry Smith later guided the team from 3-6 to bowl eligibility with three straight victories. Smith, a longtime staff member and former Penn State receiver, had served as associate head coach and cornerbacks coach before assuming interim duties.

Author: Logan Reeves