Penn State Players Offer Early Praise for New Head Coach Matt Campbell Ahead of Pinstripe Bowl
It’s been a whirlwind few months in Happy Valley, and while Penn State still has one more game left on the 2025 slate - this Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl matchup against Clemson - the buzz around the program has little to do with bowl prep and everything to do with what’s next.
The Nittany Lions are officially in transition mode. The arrival of new head coach Matt Campbell has shifted the focus from the season finale to the future of the program. That shift was on full display during last week’s pre-bowl media availability, where four Penn State players fielded more questions about Campbell and the program’s direction than about the Tigers they’re set to face.
Campbell, introduced on December 8, has wasted no time getting to work. He’s already addressed the team as a group and has been meeting with players one-on-one - not just those returning in 2026, but even those whose eligibility has expired. It’s a clear sign he’s diving deep to understand what went wrong for a team that started the year ranked No. 2 in the nation but fell short of expectations.
Here’s what some of the players are saying about their early impressions of their new head coach:
Ethan Grunkemeyer - Redshirt Freshman Quarterback
Grunkemeyer, one of the young quarterbacks in the room, has already had multiple sit-downs with Campbell. And the early vibe? All positive.
“I’ve met with him a couple times now, and since recruiting, I’ve always had a really good impression of him,” Grunkemeyer said. “I know the culture he’s built at Iowa State, and I really liked that from recruiting. I think it’ll carry over here really well.”
Grunkemeyer pointed to Campbell’s leadership style and overall approach as reasons for optimism. “I like how he handles the program, and I like what he’s about as a coach and as a person.”
That kind of buy-in from a young signal-caller is a big box to check early for any new coach, especially one inheriting a roster with talent but also some uncertainty at key positions.
King Mack - Junior Safety
Mack didn’t mince words when talking about Campbell’s directness - and that’s exactly what the team seems to need right now.
“He’s a great guy. I had a meeting with him, and honestly, it was a great conversation,” Mack said.
“He’s very honest. He’s straightforward.
He sees where we went wrong this year, and his job is to one, get it fixed as soon as possible and to use all the seniors as one big group to help us fix all those issues as well.”
That last part is telling. Campbell isn’t just looking ahead - he’s pulling in the voices of those who’ve been through the grind to help shape the foundation moving forward.
“Coach Matt Campbell plans on changing the culture, and I feel like the plan that he has, it’s a great plan,” Mack added. “All we need to do is just have everyone buy in. If everyone buys in, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be where we’re supposed to be.”
Mack also expressed confidence in the talent across the roster, from his own defensive unit to the offense. “At the end of the day, it’s Penn State,” he said.
“Coach Matt Campbell, he’s going to do a great job leading us. He is.”
Trebor Peña - Redshirt Senior Wide Receiver
Peña, one of the veterans on his way out, didn’t hesitate to endorse the new man in charge.
“He’s a great dude. You can tell he cares and can tell he’s smart.
You can tell he’s well-respected,” Peña said. “I’m excited for the guys that are staying, and I’m excited for where he takes this program.”
That’s a meaningful message coming from a player who won’t be around to see the next chapter unfold firsthand. It speaks to the early respect Campbell has earned inside the locker room.
Dom DeLuca - Redshirt Senior Linebacker
Like Peña, DeLuca is nearing the end of his Penn State career, but he’s been impressed with the early interactions.
“He seems like a great guy. I’m excited to see what he does here for Penn State and the program,” DeLuca said.
“Trying to get to know him was awesome. He seems like he’s really trying to do whatever he could to help the players achieve their goals.”
That player-first mindset has been a hallmark of Campbell’s coaching style, and it’s clearly resonating with the current roster.
So while the Pinstripe Bowl remains on the schedule, the real story in State College is what’s coming next. The players’ early feedback paints a picture of a coach who’s not just stepping into a big role - he’s already making an impact. And if the locker room continues to rally behind him like this, the next era of Penn State football might be taking shape faster than expected.