Inside Terry Smith’s Accountability-Driven Turnaround at Penn State
When Terry Smith took over as Penn State’s interim head coach in mid-October, the Nittany Lions were at a crossroads. Once ranked No. 2 in the nation, PSU had stumbled to a 3-3 record, and James Franklin was out.
The program needed more than a spark - it needed a reset. Smith, a former Penn State captain and longtime assistant, didn’t just bring energy.
He brought accountability.
And not the kind that gets tossed around in press conferences. Smith’s version is tangible.
It’s on film. Literally.
Since stepping in, Smith has leaned heavily on what he calls “accountability tape” - a no-nonsense breakdown of practice and game film that highlights both the good and the bad. It’s unfiltered, it’s honest, and it’s made an impact.
After dropping their first three games under Smith to Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana, the Nittany Lions responded with three straight wins. Now, at 6-6, they’re heading into a Pinstripe Bowl showdown against Clemson at Yankee Stadium with renewed confidence.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer has felt the difference. “You get that good balance of, [Smith is] going to love you hard but he’s going to coach you hard, as well,” Grunkemeyer said earlier this season.
“We all mess up in practice, so just learning from it, moving on. And then he’s also gonna show what you did well and how to keep building on that.”
That’s the core of Smith’s approach - accountability without humiliation, growth without sugarcoating. And it’s rooted in who he is.
A product of Aliquippa, Pa., Smith has always believed in owning your performance. During a recent Pinstripe Bowl press conference, he explained how that mindset has shaped his coaching philosophy.
“I think I’ve been doing it all my life as a coach,” Smith said. “It was how I was brought up. You were just accountable for your actions.”
In his cornerback room, there’s a sign that reads: “Check your feelings in at the door.” It’s a simple message, but it sets the tone.
“Anything you put on the tape, we have to discuss,” Smith said. “The good plays, we pat you on the back; the bad plays, we need to correct them and fix them.”
That approach resonates with the players, especially the veterans. Left tackle Drew Shelton, one of the team’s most experienced linemen, appreciates that no one gets a pass - not even the seniors.
“It’s easy to call out the freshmen that aren’t doing the right thing,” Shelton said. “But when [Smith] goes at the seniors, the three-year starters, when he goes at guys like that … it sets the tone for those guys.”
That tone is clear: if you want to play at the next level, you’ve got to be willing to confront your flaws. Smith doesn’t just preach it - he puts it on the screen for everyone to see.
“I think for guys at this level, they all want to be NFL guys,” Smith said. “And the only way you can get there is to be able to fix your problems.”
And that means being uncomfortable sometimes. “When we show a tape and you’re getting called out in front of your teammates, it’s an uncomfortable feeling,” Smith said.
“But it’s a learning lesson, right? Part of the learning lesson is, don’t put bad things on film.”
Effort, in particular, is non-negotiable. “Don’t let effort ever be a problem, right?”
Smith said. “Because if you’re loafing on a play, that’s the worst thing you can do in football.”
Mistakes happen - missed tackles, blown assignments, busted blocks. Smith’s message isn’t about perfection.
It’s about response. “If you miss a block or miss a tackle or miss a play, what is the correction?
As long as we’re fixing and solving these things, then it’s effective.”
That effectiveness is starting to show. Penn State’s late-season turnaround has been fueled by more than just better execution - it’s been driven by a locker room that’s bought into the idea that every rep, every snap, every film session matters.
Now, with a bowl game on deck and a chance to close the season with a winning record, Smith’s Nittany Lions are playing with a purpose. The accountability tape doesn’t lie - and neither does the progress.