UNIVERSITY PARK — After a nearly two-month, speculation-filled and highly-publicized search for a new head coach, Penn State welcomed Matt Campbell to the position at a press conference on Dec. 8.
Campbell was introduced first by university President Neeli Bendapudi and then by Athletic Director Pat Kraft. Bspoke in glowing terms about their new hire.
When Campbell took the podium, he spoke about how grateful he was for his family and their support, for his former coaches and mentors, for the support and trust he received from his former schools and about how excited and challenged he was to be named the head coach at Penn State.
He began by saying this has all been a “whirlwind,” yet the more he spoke, the more perfectly he seemed to fit into this program and this university. Almost to the point where it felt like this was planned all along, and it actually could have happened in one day.
Even Pat Kraft felt it.
Kraft told about a late-night phone call he had with Campbell during which they both seemed to realize that perhaps they should have been talking to each other from the beginning.
From there, the whirlwind began, and Kraft had his football coach.
“Penn State football today emerges tougher, clearer, and more driven than ever before,” Kraft said, “and we turn a page to a new era. We are introducing a leader who embodies everything Penn State stands for: A builder, a fighter, a standard bearer of what this place can be at its very best. A coach whose teams compete with a chip on their shoulder and conviction in their hearts. A coach who’s committed to shaping complete men, mind, body, character, and purpose, because he believes greatness is forged way beyond just the practice fields.”
Campbell talked first about his roots in Pennsylvania, going back to his grandparents and great grandparents, about his time growing up in Ohio, and his playing days in high school and in college at Mount Union and the national championships his team won.
He spoke about how his family was his “greatest blessing” and how none of this could have been done without them.
He went on to speak about the Penn State football program and about how proud he was that coach Terry Smith will be returning to work with him.
“It’s been so awesome to watch (Smith’s) commitment to Penn State,” he said, “and how he’s led this football program and football team through tough and trying times. It’s been rewarding. I know he’s the cornerstone of this program as a player, as a student-athlete, and now as an incredible football coach.
“It is my honor to work hand in hand with Terry to build on this great foundation moving forward.”
He referenced the former Penn State coaches, Bill O’Brien, James Franklin, Smith, and then he addressed the current players on the Penn State team.
“To our current players,” he said, “I can’t wait to meet with each and every one of you today. What I would just say is the great reward for me is, I’ve always said the greatest climb in life is the climb back. To watch these young men be on a three-game winning streak here at the end of this football season as so much adversity has hit them, it’s been inspiring.
“They get this unbelievable opportunity to go win four in a row at the end of the season for these great seniors, for themselves, and for the future of our program. Man, to give us unbelievable momentum in 2026. I’m really proud of that. I can’t wait to be around them and engrain myself in each and every one of your lives.
“I know this: It’s my responsibility to each and every one of you, every single step of the way to link arms with you, to unify us, and to continue to push this program to the greatest heights it’s ever seen.
“I know what I’m inheriting and what my responsibility is. To be honest with you, to link arms with every one of our lettermen, former players, and to unify this football program into the greatest football power in the country, I can’t wait for that opportunity.”
The conference went on as Kraft and Campbell answered reporters’ questions ranging from how the coach came to his decision, what his immediate plans for the team are and the importance of recruiting and the transfer portal. He also said that he will be watching the team prepare for the Pinstripe Bowl and try not to get in the way.
Throughout it all, though, there seemed to be an air of excitement about the hire, about where he came from and about where he can take Penn State. There will obviously be lots of decisions to make and activity coming up, but there seemed to be a sense of anticipation about all of it.
In case you were wondering, spring practice begins in late March and the Blue-White Game will be in late April.
