Terry Smith Steadies the Ship: How Penn State’s Interim Coach Turned a Tumultuous Season into a Bowl-Bound Finish
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Just before Penn State kicked off against Rutgers on Saturday, a plane circled SHI Stadium with a message trailing behind it: “Pat Kraft - Hire Terry Smith.”
It wasn’t just a plea from the sky - it was a reflection of what’s been building on the ground in Happy Valley. Terry Smith, Penn State’s interim head coach, stepped into the fire midseason and didn’t just survive - he sparked a turnaround that’s now earned the Nittany Lions a bowl berth. With uncertainty swirling around the program after James Franklin’s October 12 dismissal, Smith steadied the wheel.
And he did it the hard way.
Smith’s first three games as interim came against Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana - three teams with top-10 defenses at the time. Ohio State, still ranked No. 1, and Indiana, sitting at No. 2, weren’t exactly the kind of matchups you want when you're trying to stabilize a program.
Penn State dropped heartbreakers to both Indiana and Iowa by a single point. But even in those losses, there were signs - grit, belief, and a team starting to respond to its new leader.
Since then? Three straight wins.
Bowl eligibility secured. And a locker room that clearly believes in the man leading them.
“It taught me a lot. It taught me that I know that I can truly do this job,” Smith said postgame.
“It taught me patience. It taught me the role of one of the biggest jobs in college football.
It taught me that I have a special bond with people and my players.”
That bond was on full display Saturday night.
After the win over Rutgers, Smith embraced his players like family - because to him, they are. He pulled in running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen for a heartfelt moment.
He exchanged a handshake and hug with wide receivers coach Marques Hagans. Starting right guard Anthony Donkoh shook him with a celebratory jolt.
It wasn’t just a coach celebrating a win - it was a man who’d earned the trust of his team, and was soaking in the moment.
And make no mistake - this wasn’t just about emotion. Smith’s growth as a coach has been evident week by week.
“I was thinking about the Indiana game and what I would do different,” Smith said. “I’m a ton better coach than I was the night of Iowa.
A ton better than Indiana. We shouldn't have given Indiana the ball back and I said we’re not gonna do that tonight.
It worked out for us, and nothing better than going into victory formation.”
That’s the kind of self-assessment and in-game learning you want from a head coach. Not just reacting - evolving.
Smith hasn’t spoken publicly about what comes next. He reportedly met with Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft earlier this week for a formal interview, but he’s keeping the focus on his players.
And his players? They’ve been loud and clear about where they stand.
Linebacker Dom DeLuca summed it up: “He’s a hell of a dude. Everything he does for the program and his family too.
He’s a great guy all around. So anything he does in the future endeavors, I’ll have his back no matter what.
If it’s here, somewhere else, he’s gonna make it. He’s gonna make a name for himself.”
That kind of endorsement doesn’t come easy. But the support for Smith has been organic and vocal - players holding signs, advocating for him, and playing inspired football down the stretch.
Tight end Andrew Rappleyea didn’t mince words: “You see the way this program has changed in three weeks, four weeks or the last couple wins we’ve had behind Terry. He’s a gritty dude.
Everybody wants to play for that guy. Everybody wants to go to battle for him.”
That grit has defined this late-season surge. Penn State could’ve folded after a midseason coaching change and a pair of gut-punch losses.
Instead, the team rallied. They didn’t just get back up - they fought their way into a postseason.
Falling down is part of the game. Staying down is a choice. Terry Smith chose to stand up, lead, and bring his team with him.
“Thankful for these guys. They played their hearts out,” Smith said.
Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: Terry Smith didn’t just hold the line - he moved it forward.