Penn State football finally has its new leader in place.
Iowa State’s Matt Campbell has reportedly agreed to terms to become only Penn State’s fifth head coach since 1950, ending a winding, if not tiring, 54-day search since James Franklin was fired.
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Campbell’s first tasks will be to quickly galvanize a decimated recruiting class and an uncertain roster that must prepare for a bowl game, with or without beloved interim head leader Terry Smith.
Campbell, 46, is known for building one of college football’s better résumés at one of its most difficult places to succeed. He won at least eight games five times since arriving at Iowa State — a program that, somehow, had managed that just one time before since 1978.
Campbell was making $5 million in guaranteed pay in 2025. Penn State presumably will cover the $2 million he owes Iowa State for breaking his contract early, according to the contract obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
Here are five things to know about the Nittany Lions’ new head coach:
Oct 4, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell reacts from the sideline against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Penn State football: Matt Campbell was a national title winner
The Ohio native was an All-American defensive end (1999-2002) at in-state Mount Union, a Division III power.
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There, he won three national titles and four conference titles with a stunning 54-1 record.
He was inducted into the Mount Union Hall of Fame in 2018.
Matt Campbell, overachieving coaching success
His head coaching stats are impressive enough at two of the tougher places to win in the nation: Toledo and then Iowa State.
He owns a 107-70 overall record.
Even more telling: He suffered only one losing season after his first year at Iowa…
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