Penn State's football program has taken a bold step by bringing in Matt Campbell as their new head coach, following an exhaustive search. So far, it's looking like a promising move for the Nittany Lions. Notably, The Athletic's Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel have ranked Campbell 11th in their top 25 college football head coaches for the 2026 season, signaling high expectations.
Feldman praises Campbell as "an excellent hire," highlighting his underrated success during his tenure with the Iowa State Cyclones. Since the end of World War II, Iowa State has only enjoyed 25 seasons with a winning record in conference play, and Campbell was responsible for eight of those in the past nine years. That's a significant achievement, considering the program's historical challenges.
Campbell's knack for talent evaluation and development, along with his ability to instill a winning culture, has been particularly impressive. Last season, despite a rough patch with injuries, the Cyclones started strong at 5-0 and managed to close the season at 8-4. While a .567 win percentage might seem modest on the surface, it's actually the best in over a century for Iowa State.
Mandel points out that Campbell led the Cyclones to their first two Big 12 title games, their inaugural New Year’s bowl appearance at the Fiesta Bowl, and a record-setting 11-3 season in 2024. However, his final season at 8-4 was seen as a bit of a letdown.
Now at Penn State, Campbell has access to more resources than he did at Iowa State, which should help him avoid any lackluster performances. The transition is further eased by several transfers from his previous team joining him at Happy Valley. With a favorable schedule ahead, Campbell is well-positioned to replicate his past success and make a significant impact with the Nittany Lions.