Matt Campbell isn’t easing into his new job at Penn State - he’s stepping into one of the most pressure-packed roles in college football. As one of 17 Power Four head coaches entering their first season with a new program in 2026, Campbell’s expectations aren’t just high - they’re sky-high.
And in Happy Valley, “success” isn’t a vague buzzword. It’s defined in bold letters: College Football Playoff or bust.
That’s not hyperbole. That’s the standard.
Penn State didn’t bring in Campbell to maintain the status quo. They made a bold move, parting ways with James Franklin just nine months after a national semifinal appearance.
That decision sent a clear message: being very good wasn’t good enough. Athletic Director Pat Kraft is betting that Campbell can elevate the Nittany Lions from perennial contenders to national champions.
And while no one’s expecting Campbell to hoist a trophy in Year 1, making the expanded College Football Playoff is the clear benchmark for a successful debut season.
Campbell isn’t alone in that pressure cooker. He and two other first-year Power Four coaches - including LSU’s Lane Kiffin - are walking into programs where the bar is already set at elite.
Kiffin, fresh off a playoff run with Ole Miss in 2025, brought in a top-tier transfer class to Baton Rouge. The expectation?
Win big - and win now. But before we talk about LSU, let’s stay focused on what’s brewing in State College.
For Campbell, the challenge is deceptively tricky. He inherits a program that’s been knocking on the door but hasn’t quite broken through.
Penn State has been consistently good - double-digit wins, major bowl appearances, top-10 finishes - but hasn’t reached the mountaintop. Campbell’s job is to turn good into great.
That means not just competing with the likes of Michigan and Ohio State - it means beating them, and doing it consistently.
To his credit, Campbell wasted no time reloading the roster. He brought in the nation’s No. 6-ranked transfer class, a group headlined by several of his former Iowa State players, including quarterback Rocco Becht.
That familiarity could be a game-changer in Year 1, especially as Campbell installs his system and culture. Continuity matters, and having guys who’ve already played in his scheme gives Penn State a head start.
The roster isn’t short on talent, either. Between returning veterans and experienced transfers, this is a team built to compete right away. And with the expanded playoff format providing more access, the path is there - but it’s not an easy one.
The 2026 schedule doesn’t offer much breathing room. Unlike in 2025, when the Nittany Lions had a bit more margin for error, this year’s slate is loaded.
But that’s the nature of the job now. If you’re coaching at Penn State - especially in this new era of college football - you’re expected to win the big games.
Campbell knows what he signed up for. He didn’t take this job thinking he’d get a few years to build slowly.
This is a win-now situation, and he’s treating it as such. The pieces are in place.
The expectations are clear. Now it’s about execution.
A playoff appearance in Year 1 wouldn’t just validate Kraft’s bold decision - it would signal that Penn State is truly ready to take the next step. And for Matt Campbell, it would be the first major checkpoint on a journey that’s only just begun.