Penn State football finds itself in a bit of a transitional limbo as it prepares for the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson on December 27. The game will cap off the 2025 season, but it’s also serving as a bridge between two coaching regimes - the final act of the James Franklin era and the early groundwork for Matt Campbell’s tenure, which officially begins in 2026.
That means this bowl prep isn’t just about game planning for Clemson - it’s also about navigating a coaching shuffle that’s already in motion.
Defensive Play-Calling Duties Shift to a Familiar Face
With defensive coordinator Jim Knowles already off to Tennessee, the reins of the defense have been handed to safeties coach Anthony Poindexter. Senior linebacker Dom DeLuca confirmed that Poindexter has taken over play-calling duties for the Pinstripe Bowl, and early signs point to a smooth transition.
“I feel like he’s doing a great job,” DeLuca said. “He’s making sure we’re confident with the calls, playing fast, playing physical. He’s not overhauling anything - just letting us go out there and play our game.”
Poindexter isn’t new to this role. He’s stepped into the defensive play-caller’s seat before - first in the 2021 Outback Bowl after Brent Pry left for Virginia Tech, and again in the 2023 Peach Bowl following Manny Diaz’s departure to Duke. While both games ended in losses, Poindexter’s familiarity with the system and his players is a stabilizing force during a turbulent stretch.
Defensive analyst Robb Smith has also been part of the play-calling process in the past and could be involved again behind the scenes.
Poindexter’s résumé speaks for itself. A College Football Hall of Famer for his playing days at Virginia, he’s coached at his alma mater, UConn, and Purdue before landing at Penn State in 2021. He’s been a steady presence on the staff and has earned respect from players and peers alike.
What Comes Next for Poindexter?
That’s the big question. With Campbell assembling his own staff for 2026, Poindexter’s future in Happy Valley is uncertain. Campbell brought his longtime safeties coach, Deon Broomfield, with him from Iowa State, though Broomfield’s role hasn’t been officially defined yet.
Still, there’s an opening at defensive coordinator, and Poindexter’s experience - not to mention the trust he’s built with the players - makes him a logical candidate to stick around in some capacity.
Junior safety King Mack shared that having Poindexter calling the defense has been “fun,” noting that the coach brings energy, keeps things simple, and listens to player feedback.
“Coach Dex, he puts himself in our shoes a lot, because he was a player as well,” Mack said. “He knows what we’re good at, what we’re not, and he puts us in position to play fast and make plays.”
That’s the kind of leadership you want in a bowl game - especially one being played amid so much change.
Offensive Staff Turnover Continues
The coaching carousel hasn’t stopped on the defensive side. Several offensive assistants have also moved on.
Tight ends coach Ty Howle and quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien have both joined James Franklin at Virginia Tech, with Howle taking over as offensive coordinator. Running backs coach Stan Drayton is heading to South Carolina but will remain with Penn State through the bowl game. Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is returning to his alma mater, Florida, though it’s unclear if he’ll coach in the Pinstripe Bowl.
It’s a lot of movement, but the locker room seems to be handling it with maturity. Freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer acknowledged the strange dynamic but credited the current staff for keeping things steady.
“It’s definitely weird,” Grunkemeyer said. “But I think the coaches that have come in so far with Coach Campbell, they’ve done a good job letting the coaches that are still here do their job and coach us out through the bowl game.”
Campbell’s Staff Already Taking Shape
Even as the current staff finishes out the season, Matt Campbell is laying the foundation for the future. Several hires have already been made official, including:
- Taylor Mouser as offensive coordinator
- Ryan Clanton as offensive line coach
- Noah Pauley as wide receivers coach
- Deon Broomfield, the aforementioned safeties coach from Iowa State
Campbell’s approach so far has been to allow the outgoing staff to handle bowl prep while his new hires begin to settle in behind the scenes. It’s a delicate balance, but one that could pay off in the long run if it allows players to stay focused on the task at hand.
The Bigger Picture
Penn State’s Pinstripe Bowl appearance is more than just a postseason matchup - it’s a transitional moment for a program in flux. With multiple staff changes already in motion and more to come, this game offers a chance for players and remaining coaches to finish strong, even as the next era begins to take shape.
It’s not the most conventional lead-up to a bowl game, but it’s also not without opportunity. For players like DeLuca and Mack, and for coaches like Poindexter, this is a chance to show resilience, leadership, and maybe even make a case for a role in what’s next.
The Nittany Lions will take the field at Yankee Stadium with plenty of questions swirling off it - but on game day, it’s still football. And for now, that’s where the focus lies.