PSU Football
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News—Dec. 8, 2025—Updated 12-10
Matt Campbell Introduced as Penn State Head Football Coach
Penn State officially introduced Matt Campbell (formerly of Iowa State) as the Nittany Lions 17th head coach on Monday, Dec. 8 about 90-minutes after Campbell’s contract (that had been agreed to on Dec. 5) was officially approved by the Board of Trustees Human Resources Committee in a unanimous vote. In his first news conference at Penn State, Campbell called the opportunity “a dream come true and one of the greatest honors of (his) life”. This moment finally ends a somewhat chaotic and drawn-out 54-day coaching search that had seen PSU attempt to lure a number of candidates including Campbell to replace the fired James Franklin. PSU Interim Head Coach Terry Smith, a popular choice of the players and many fans to get the top job, will remain with his Alma Mater in the role of Associate Head Coach.
On Dec. 5, Campbell reportedly agreed to an 8-year deal worth potentially $10 million per year (with $70 million in guaranteed money plus incentives). PSU will also reportedly provide a $17 million pool for staff compensation and $30 million in annual NIL money. Terry Smith reportedly will get a new 4-year contract to stay with the Nittany Lions coaching staff which some media outlets have labeled the largest deal for any non-coordinator. Penn State also reportedly agreed to a buyout payment to Iowa State for approximately $2 million to be able to hire Campbell. Penn State would also owe buyouts totaling around $12 million to Andy Kotelnicki OC & Jim Knowles DC, if they are not retained by Campbell on his new PSU staff. At this time, it is expected that Iowa State Defensive Coordinator Jon Heacock will follow Campbell to Penn State along with Iowa State OL coach Ryan Clanton. ISU Associate AD for Football Personnel Derek Hoodjer is already State College-bound to serve the role of football GM for the Nittany Lions.
UPDATE—as of Dec. 9, the athletic department football directory shows the following 5 new staffers—Derek Hoodjer (GM), Reid Kagy (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach), Trent Slattenow (Director, Player Personnel), Skip Brabenec (Chief of Staff), & Aaron Hillman (Sports Performance Manager)
Campbell was in his 10th season as head coach at Iowa State (2016-25) going 8-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12. He also beat a common foe of Penn State’s in 2025, defeating Iowa 16-13. Campbell won a program record 72 games (72-55) in his decade in Ames, Iowa and was named Big 12 Coach of the Year 3-times. His best season with the Cyclones was in 2024 when he won 11 games (11-3) for the first time in school history and reached the Big 12 Championship Game. Prior to Iowa State, Campbell was the head coach at Toledo for four seasons (2012-15). He is 5-5 in bowl games at both Toledo and ISU. His overall head coaching record is 107-70. Iowa State has opted to decline a bowl invitation this season after losing Cambell.
Campbell played college football for one season at Pitt in 1998 before transferring to Division 3 Mount Union in Ohio to finish his career (1999-2002). His roommate and teammate at Mount Union was current Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
