In a remarkable turn of events, the coaching search at Penn State appears to be narrowing its focus toward Iowa State’s head coach, Matt Campbell. This ongoing search, which has now extended over 53 days since James Franklin’s departure, is capturing the attention of college football fans and insiders alike. And here’s where it gets really intriguing: despite multiple attempts, Penn State has yet to secure the ideal candidate, with several prominent names turning away from the opportunity in recent days.
But here's where the controversy kicks in: Penn State’s list of potential replacements has been notably long and complex, involving some well-known coaching figures. For example, BYU’s head coach Kalani Sitake and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm both decided to stay at their respective programs, despite significant attention from Penn State. Other notable candidates considered this week included Brian Daboll, the current NFL coach with strong support from the Penn State-affiliated Pegula family, as well as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and Cleveland Browns’ offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. The interim head coach, Terry Smith, has also garnered support from both current and former players.
At the center of this whirlwind is Matt Campbell, a respected coaching figure who has made a significant mark at Iowa State over the past decade. His impressive 72-55 record includes reaching the Big 12 Championship Game twice and setting a school record with 11 wins in 2024. One of his most historic achievements was leading Iowa State to an unprecedented first-place finish in the conference in 2020, going 8-0 in Big 12 play — the first time since 1912 that the Cyclones finished atop the league standings.
Originally from Ohio, Campbell is an alumnus of Mount Union, a powerhouse in Division III football. His playing career includes a season at Pitt, but he spent most of his coaching life in Ohio, including a stint as Toledo’s head coach from 2012 to 2015. His extensive experience in coaching searches isn’t new; he has been linked to several high-profile opportunities over the years, such as turning down interest from the New York Jets and being a finalist for the USC head coaching position, which ultimately went to Lincoln Riley.
As Penn State continues its quest to find Franklin’s successor, many fans and analysts are eager to see if Campbell will indeed be the next leader of the Nittany Lions. But with other top contenders still in the mix and some already declining, the outcome remains uncertain. This story is sure to evolve, and we will keep you updated as the situation develops.
What do you think — is Matt Campbell the perfect fit for Penn State, or will the search take an even more surprising turn? Share your thoughts below!
