Penn State Names Iowa State’s Matt Campbell as New Head Coach

Campbell, a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, spent the last 10 years at Iowa State and will replace James Franklin.
Penn State Names Iowa State’s Matt Campbell as New Head Coach
Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones calls a play during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 8, 2025. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
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The nearly two-month saga involving the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) football head coach opening has finally come to an end. On Friday, the school announced that it had reached an agreement with former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to become the next man in charge of the Nittany Lions football team.

The school’s athletic director, Patrick Kraft, released a statement in which he said that Campbell will officially join PSU as coach on Monday, after the Board of Trustees approves the hire. Kraft hailed Campbell as “the right leader at the right time.”
Ross Kelly
Ross Kelly
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Ross Kelly is a sports journalist who has been published by ESPN, CBS and USA Today. He has also done statistical research for Stats Inc. and Synergy Sports Technology. A graduate of LSU, Ross resides in Houston.