Why Matt Campbell's Shocking College Move Has Fans Divided—You Won't Believe What Happens Next!

After a lengthy 54-day search, Penn State's athletic director Pat Kraft has officially named Matt Campbell, the head coach of Iowa State, as the new head football coach for the Nittany Lions. This appointment comes at the conclusion of a tumultuous eight weeks for Penn State's football program, which had been rife with speculation and heightened public interest. The reactions on social media and television have been overwhelmingly positive, signaling a hopeful new chapter for the storied program.

Notable figures across the college football landscape have applauded the decision. Former Nittany Lion star Allen Robinson expressed his enthusiasm on X, stating, “I’m excited for the future of Penn State!” ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit shared his thoughts on the Pat McAfee Show, saying, “Nothing against Iowa, but I’d love to see Matt Campbell in State College. If they close this hire, that would be as good of a hire in this very volatile coaching carousel.” He added that he had previously thought Campbell was “untouchable” given his success at Iowa State.

McAfee also chimed in, declaring, “I think this is a great hire for Penn State at this stage of the game. Matt Campbell feels like a winning hire.” Meanwhile, ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager noted, “If you told me 50 days ago that Penn State was going to end up with Matt Campbell, I would have told you that’s a huge home run. Campbell has been asked to consider NFL jobs for a decade and hasn’t left.”

On3 Sports’ Ari Wasserman echoed similar sentiments, remarking, “Matt Campbell is a really good hire. And boy did he bail out Penn State from what was looking like an absolute disaster.” Fox Sports' Chris Fallica highlighted Campbell's impressive track record: “Love this hire for Penn State. Campbell had Iowa State one game from the CFP twice in the last five years. He’s been viewed as a top candidate in a lot of places because of what he’s done in Ames.”

Campbell’s coaching history reflects his capability; during his time at Toledo, he posted a record of 35-15, including a standout performance in 2015 when he led the team to a 9-2 finish. His tenure at Iowa State has been equally noteworthy, with an overall record of 72-55, including two seasons where the Cyclones finished just a game away from the College Football Playoff. His record at Iowa State includes impressive seasons in 2020 with a 9-3 finish and a recent 11-3 season in 2024.

In a statement announcing Campbell's hiring, Pat Kraft expressed his excitement: “I’m thrilled to share with the Penn State community that we have reached an agreement with Matt Campbell to have him serve as the 17th head football coach at Penn State.” He further emphasized Campbell's alignment with the university's values, noting, “Coach Campbell is, without a doubt, the right leader at the right time for Penn State Football.” Kraft also acknowledged the interim coach, Terry Smith, expressing gratitude for his leadership during a challenging season.

The Penn State football program now looks forward to a promising future under Campbell's guidance. As Kraft noted, “As we start this exciting next chapter for our football program with Coach Campbell at the helm, the future is bright. We will continue to build upon and elevate the high standard that is the hallmark of our program.” With high expectations and a solid reputation, Campbell's appointment marks a significant turning point for the Nittany Lions, who aim to reclaim their status among college football’s elite.