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A new era has begun in the Penn State Nittany Lions football program.
The school hired Matt Campbell as its new head coach after spending 10 years with the Iowa State Cyclones, transforming them from a 3-9 team into a school that made seven bowl appearances after going four years without making one.
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Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell watches from the field during the Penn State Blue-White spring game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, April 25, 2026. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)
Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht, who transferred to Penn State from Iowa State, explained Wednesday how Campbell will be able to change the culture within the program.
“He wants to build a player-driven program,” he told ESPN. “When you’re not all aligned on the same goals and expectations, you’re not going to win those big games. … Last year, it wasn’t really player-driven and the culture just wasn’t always there.
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Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht reacts during the Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania on April 25, 2026. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)
“Right now, where we are, everyone is completely convinced.”
Campbell succeeds James Franklin, who worked for Penn State for 12 years before being fired midway through the 2025 season as the team lost three straight, including a surprise loss to unranked UCLA when the team was ranked seventh in the nation.
Terry Smith took over for Franklin and helped save the season with a Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson.
Now, with a new head coach, a new quarterback and a 12-team College Football Playoff, the excuses for the Nittany Lions to not make the playoffs are running out.
Penn State made the 2024 College Football Playoff, but lost to Notre Dame in the semifinals. It was the team’s only appearance in the CFP.
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell answers questions from the media after the Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, April 25, 2026. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)
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The team last won a national title in 1986.
