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College football: Penn State to hire Iowa State’s Matt Campbell as head coach
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Practically two months after the firing of James Franklin, Penn State is reportedly nearing the end line with a brand new head coach.
The Nittany Lions have reportedly employed Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to switch Franklin. Campbell and Penn State are engaged on a deal and receiving formal approval for compensation to ESPN.
The 46-year-old is the winningest coach in Iowa State historical past. The three-time Large 12 Coach of the Yr went 72-55 in 10 seasons with the Cyclones, with eight profitable seasons, together with an 8-4 mark this season.
Campbell helped lead Iowa State to 2 Large 12 championship video games.
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Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell reacts in the course of the fourth quarter in opposition to BYU at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, Oct. 25, 2025. (Picture)
Earlier than teaching at Iowa State, Campbell was head coach at Toledo for 5 seasons, the place he completed 35-15.
Penn State fired Franklin after three straight losses. The Nittany Lions’ three-game dropping skid began with a 30–24 additional time loss to Oregon at house, and the group by no means recovered.
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Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell celebrates after an interception in opposition to Kansas in the course of the fourth quarter at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, Nov. 22, 2025. (PROPOSE)
The group’s second loss got here on the highway, after they misplaced 42-37 to UCLA, which entered the sport 0-4. The third loss got here in a 22-21 loss to Northwestern at house, dropping Penn State to 3-3. Franklin was fired a day later.
Franklin was largely profitable at Penn State in the course of the common season, going 104-45, however was by no means in a position to win a nationwide championship. Franklin received the Rose Bowl in 2022, the Cotton Bowl in 2019 and the Fiesta Bowl in 2017.
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The veteran coach dates again to Franklin’s three seasons at Vanderbilt and is 8-7 in bowl video games.
Penn State named Terry Smith interim head coach, and the 56-year-old has gone 3-3 in his six video games on the helm. Penn State is 6-6 this season and can look to show issues round in Campbell’s first season.
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