Penn State Reportedly Retaining Trace McSorley on Staff

A former Nittany Lion will be sticking around in Happy Valley.

Penn State assistant quarterbacks coach Trace McSorley is expected to be retained by new head coach Matt Campbell, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. It’s unclear what his role will be next season, but with quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien following James Franklin to Virginia Tech, McSorley may be in for a promotion.

There was speculation McSorley, a Virginia native, could be headed to Blacksburg as well. He played four seasons under Franklin from 2015-18 and was a full-time starter for three of them, completing 720 of 1215 passes for 9,899 yards with 77 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. McSorley was named second-team All-Big Ten on three occasions and is responsible for Penn State’s most recent Big Ten championship in 2016.

After being selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he also spent brief stints with the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders before entering the coaching world.

He joined the Nittany Lions’ staff ahead of the 2025 season and was credited by quarterbacks Drew Allar and Ethan Grunkemeyer for being crucial in their development.

McSorley joins Terry Smith as the only coaches confirmed to be staying, while O’Brien, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, wide receivers coach Marques Hagans, tight ends coach Ty Howle, running backs coach Stan Drayton and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein will not be retained.