Penn State’s hiring of Matt Campbell as head coach touted by new quarterback
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A new era has begun for the Penn State Nittany Lions football program.
The school hired Matt Campbell as its new head coach after 10 years with the Iowa State Cyclones, turning them from a 3-9 team to a school that went to seven bowl games without playing one in four years.
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Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell looks on from the field during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium on April 25, 2026 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)
Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht, who transferred to Penn State from Iowa State, talked Wednesday about how Campbell could change the culture within the program.
“He wants to create a player-driven program.” he told ESPN. “When you don’t all have the same goals and expectations, you don’t win those big games. “Last year, it wasn’t really driven by the players and the culture wasn’t always there.
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Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht reacts during the Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium on April 25, 2026 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)
“Where we are now, everyone is completely convinced.”
Campbell replaces James Franklin, who was at Penn State for 12 years before being fired midway through the 2025 season; The team lost three straight games, including an upset loss to unranked UCLA, which ranked seventh in the nation.
Terry Smith replaced Franklin and helped salvage the season with a Pinstripe Bowl win over Clemson.
Now with a new head coach, new quarterback and a 12-team College Football Playoff, the Nittany Lions are running out of excuses for not making the postseason.
Penn State made the College Football Playoff in 2024 but lost to Notre Dame in the semifinals. This was the team’s only CFP appearance.
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell answers questions from the media following the Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium on April 25, 2026 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)
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The team last won the national championship in 1986.
