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Penn State Adds QB Coach Jake Waters From Iowa State

Penn State football coach Matt Campbell speaks at an introductory press conference on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 in Beaver Stadium. Photo by Paul Burdick | For StateCollege.comconference on

Joel Haas

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Penn State poached another Iowa State coach.

As expected, quarterbacks coach Jake Waters is the latest Cyclone assistant to follow head coach Matt Campbell to Happy Valley. His X bio has been updated to reflect the new role, though he’s yet to appear in the university staff directory.

A former Iowa Western and Kansas State quarterback, Waters coached at Iowa State for the last five seasons, including three as an offensive quality control analyst and two as the quarterbacks coach. He worked closely with Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht, a potential transfer target for Penn State should he choose to enter the portal with his final year of eligibility.

Waters replaces Danny O’Brien, who held the role for the last two seasons but has since followed James Franklin to Virginia Tech. However, former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, who played four seasons under Franklin, is expected to remain on staff in some capacity after serving as an assistant quarterbacks coach this season.

Waters joins offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Taylor Mouser, offensive line coach Ryan Clanton, wide receivers coach Noah Pauley, secondary coach Deon Broomfield, head strength and conditioning coach Reid Kagy and assistant strength and conditioning coach Brandon Pietrzyk as coaches who’ve followed Campbell from Ames.