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Iowa State’s Matt Campbell Emerges as Leading Candidate for Penn State Head Coaching Position
STATE COLLEGE, PA - December 5, 2025 - Iowa state head football coach Matt Campbell has rapidly ascended to the top of Penn State’s list of candidates to replace recently departed coach James Franklin, sources with direct knowledge of the search confirmed late Thursday. Discussions between representatives for Penn State and Campbell are ongoing, though no offer has been formally extended as of 11:55 PM EST.
The pursuit of Campbell marks a significant shift in Penn State’s coaching search, signaling a preference for a proven program builder with a demonstrated ability to cultivate talent and achieve consistent success within a Power Five conference. Franklin’s departure on November 28th created a vacancy at one of college football’s most prestigious programs, prompting an extensive national search to identify a leader capable of maintaining the Nittany Lions’ competitive standing in the Big Ten and beyond.
Campbell, 45, has revitalized the Iowa State program during his eight seasons in Ames, leading the Cyclones to a program-record four consecutive bowl appearances and a Big 12 Championship Game berth in 2020. His emphasis on player development, strong recruiting ties in the Midwest, and commitment to a cohesive team culture have garnered widespread respect within coaching circles. Penn State officials reportedly view Campbell as possessing the qualities necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of college football, including the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) initiatives.
prior to Iowa State, Campbell spent four seasons as head coach at Toledo, where he compiled a 35-17 record and two MAC Championship titles. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Miami (OH) in 2003, followed by assistant roles at Bowling Green, Mount Union, and Ohio State. Penn State’s athletic director, Patrick Kraft, is leading the search and is expected to move swiftly to finalize a deal with Campbell if negotiations prove successful. The timeline for a potential proclamation remains fluid, but sources indicate Penn State aims to have a new head coach in place before the start of the early signing period on December 18th.
