December 6, 2025

Matt Campbell: Head Coach, Penn State Football

Penn State's coaching search has turned its focus to Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, one of the most coveted candidates in recent cycles.
Penn State’s coaching search has turned its focus to Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, one of the most coveted candidates in recent cycles. (Syndication: The Ames Tribune)

The wait is over, and a new era has officially begun in Happy Valley. Matt Campbell has been named the 17th Head Coach of Penn State Football, concluding the program’s dramatic 54-day search.

Pat Kraft’s final selection is a proven program builder known for achieving historic success at Iowa State with far fewer resources than most Power Five peers.

Campbell’s 72-55 record in Ames includes the program’s only 11-win season and the development of NFL stars like Brock Purdy and Breece Hall. His philosophy, which emphasizes High Standards, Fierce Effort, and a “Five-Star Culture,” is viewed as a perfect fit for Penn State’s “Success with Honor” blueprint.