Penn State’s coaching saga has finally reached its climax—or has it? After a grueling 54-day search, the Nittany Lions appear to be zeroing in on Iowa State’s Matt Campbell to fill the void left by James Franklin’s firing. But here’s where it gets controversial: is Campbell the savior Happy Valley desperately needs, or is this just another chapter in a story of missed opportunities and high-profile rejections? Let’s dive in.
Nearly two months after Franklin’s dismissal following a humiliating loss to Northwestern—Penn State’s third straight defeat at the time—the program is on the brink of securing Campbell’s services, according to multiple reports. However, as ESPN’s Pete Thamel cautions, the deal is far from done. “There’s multiple steps needed to finalize, including agreeing to terms and formal approval of compensation,” he notes, reminding us that even the most promising deals can unravel at the last minute.
Franklin’s firing on October 12 marked the end of a disappointing season for the Nittany Lions, who finished 6-6 overall and a lackluster 3-6 in the Big Ten. The program’s fall from preseason favorite status left fans yearning for a fresh start, and Campbell’s name has emerged as the potential answer.
With a 72-55 record at Iowa State since 2016 and a 3-4 bowl game mark, Campbell has proven himself a steady hand. His overall 15-year head coaching record, including five years at Toledo, stands at an impressive 107-70. But can he replicate that success in Happy Valley? And this is the part most people miss: Campbell’s potential move comes after several high-profile candidates turned down the job, including BYU’s Kalani Sitake, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm. Why did they say no, and what does that say about Penn State’s current standing in college football?
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit weighed in on the “Pat McAfee Show”, expressing surprise at the development. “I was under the assumption that [Campbell] was almost untouchable at this point… I thought Iowa State has done a pretty good job of making it clear, hey, the buyout is ridiculous, no one can come in here and take him,” Herbstreit said. If Penn State pulls this off, it would indeed be a major coup—but at what cost?
Meanwhile, Franklin has already landed on his feet, signing a reported five-year, $41.75 million deal with Virginia Tech, not including the $9 million buyout settlement negotiated down from $49 million. His departure is just one piece of the larger NCAA coaching carousel, which has seen high-profile moves like Lane Kiffin’s jump from Ole Miss to LSU and Florida’s hiring of Tulane’s Jon Sumrall.
So, is Matt Campbell the right man to restore optimism in Happy Valley, or is Penn State settling after striking out with bigger names? Is this a bold move or a desperate one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
