Taylor Mouser Brings Grit, Loyalty, and a Fresh Vision to Penn State’s Offense
Taylor Mouser hasn’t been in State College long, but he’s already making his presence felt - both in the stands and in the locker room. In just two months as Penn State’s new offensive coordinator, he’s embraced the community with the same energy he brings to the field. Whether it’s downing a Bud Light at Beaver Stadium or catching a men’s hockey game at Pegula Ice Arena, Mouser’s not just coaching in Happy Valley - he’s living it.
But don’t let the beer can antics fool you. Behind the scenes, Mouser is all business - a rising offensive mind with a decade of experience under Matt Campbell at Iowa State. From his early days as a graduate assistant to his recent stint as offensive coordinator, Mouser has climbed the coaching ladder the hard way, earning every step with a mix of loyalty, football IQ, and relentless drive.
“You’ve watched him mature in terms of who he’s become as a play-caller, a great leader of people,” Campbell said. “When you put the coordinator title to any of these coaches, I think you’re expecting a gentleman and somebody that’s got unbelievable leadership ability and the ability to align and unify a group, and Taylor’s done a great job of that.”
That leadership now belongs to Penn State.
Mouser’s relationship with Campbell goes way back - even before their Iowa State days - to a time when Mouser was fresh out of Adams State, a Division II program in Colorado, trying to break into the coaching world while working at Little Caesars. Of all the coaches he reached out to, Campbell was the only one who returned his call.
“He’s the only person that hit me back,” Mouser said. “I don’t forget that.
The loyalty that he’s given me to be able to promote me to a spot where I got to be the offensive coordinator for the last couple years at Iowa State, and have success. So, it didn’t necessarily matter.
It was Penn State.”
That loyalty runs deep - and it’s part of what’s shaping the culture shift Mouser is helping usher in at Penn State. He’s not just bringing a new playbook; he’s bringing a new energy, a new voice, and a deeply rooted belief in the power of relationships.
“He's a special dude. He can wear every hat,” said quarterbacks coach Jake Waters.
“He's extremely smart, football wise, extremely competitive. Wants to be the best and then he cares about relationships a lot.”
That sentiment is echoed by offensive line coach Ryan Clanton, who called Mouser the “biggest hockey fan” in Pennsylvania - a nod to Mouser’s enthusiasm for his new home, even if he’s still adjusting to life in central Pennsylvania. But on the field, Mouser knows the real work begins now.
He’s stepping into a role that comes with big expectations, especially after a 2025 season where the offense, under former coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, struggled to find consistency. Mouser isn’t trying to copy and paste what worked at Iowa State - he’s tailoring his approach to fit the Nittany Lions’ personnel and culture.
That adaptability, paired with his competitive edge and reputation as a players’ coach, has already earned him buy-in from the staff and locker room. As the 2025 Football Scoop Tight Ends Coach of the Year, Mouser’s résumé speaks for itself. But it’s his connection to players and coaches - his ability to lead, motivate, and relate - that might be his biggest strength.
“If you believe in something, he believes in it,” Clanton said.
For Mouser, coaching at Penn State isn’t just another stop on the coaching carousel. It’s a dream realized - one that felt out of reach not long ago.
“This place is incredible, and it’s a school that you dream about when you’re a small school guy,” Mouser said. “I played at a Division II.
As a kid, you watch Penn State football games and the history here. You know about it.
Even the idea of coming and coaching at a place like this, it’s so far-fetched. It doesn’t even enter your mind when you know where I was at before.”
Now, it’s reality. And with Mouser calling plays, Penn State’s offense is poised for a new chapter - one built on trust, toughness, and a coach who knows exactly what it means to earn your shot.