Iowa State defensive coordinator John Heacock could be a top candidate to follow Penn State head coach Matt Campbell to Happy Valley as the Nittany Lions' next defensive coordinator. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
Penn State head coach Matt Campbell met with the media on Wednesday on national signing day to discuss his plans for his first season in Happy Valley.
Just over a month after he was hired, Campbell noted the “whirlwind” of his first month on the job, which included retaining key pieces of the Nittany Lions‘ 2025 roster, working to rebuild a 2026 class that was essentially bare when Campbell accepted the job, bringing in one of the biggest transfer portal classes in the country, and assembling his first Penn State staff.
“Whirlwind” Continues: Noah Pauley Poached by Green Bay Packers
Just one day after many members of Campbell’s staff met with the media for the first time on the job, one of the top staff hires by Campbell is now off to the NFL.
As reported by CBS’s Matt Zenitz, Noah Pauley is being hired by the Green Bay Packers for the same role after just one month with Penn State.
Noah Pauley followed Campbell to Penn State after working with Campbell for three years in Ames.
The Christian Watson Connection
Pauley was seen as a rising star in the coaching field at the wide receiver position. In his three years at Iowa State, Pauley developed Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel into day two NFL draft picks.
He also coached Christian Watson at North Dakota State, who was a second-round draft pick and will reunite with Pauley in Green Bay.
Buy The Newest Penn State Gear From Fanatics | Shop Penn State Merchandise on Amazon
Why This Loss Stings: The “Development Delta”
The loss of Pauley is a tough blow for Campbell’s first staff at Penn State.
Pauley was widely considered an extremely good developer and recruiter at the wide receiver position, a position that Penn State struggled to develop in the final years of James Franklin’s tenure.
Campbell will now search for a second wide receivers coach of the offseason in the coming weeks before spring practice begins for the Nittany Lions.
Loved this story? Get all our Penn State football coverage and insider updates first. Join our FREE newsletter — your front-row seat to the Lions.
- “Poached in a Month”: NFL Powerhouse Just Stole Matt Campbell’s ‘Rising Star’ Assistant - February 5, 2026
- “The Winningest Leader”: Why Matt Campbell is Handing the Keys Rocco Becht at Penn State - February 4, 2026
- Penn State Football 2026 Schedule Revealed: Thoughts, Takeaways, Analysis - January 28, 2026
Author
About the Author
