Many Penn State fans wanted interim head coach Terry Smith to be promoted and lead the program. Others were excited at the thought of Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell coming to Happy Valley to lead the Nittany Lions.
Penn State is looking to get the best of both worlds.
Penn State Football introduced Campbell as its 17th coach in program history on Monday in front of the media, boosters, staffers, and others at Beaver Stadium.
Smith is staying at Penn State and joining Campbell’s staff, rekindling a relationship forged years ago.
“I got to meet coach Smith when he was the head football coach at Gateway (High School) and I was recruiting at the University College of Toledo,” Campbell said. “Terry was always such an inspiring human to be around. I loved going to watch him interact with his players.”
Campbell, 46, was Toledo’s run game coordinator in 2009 and offensive coordinator from 2010-2011 before being named head coach in 2012. He led the Rockets through the 2015 season before landing at Iowa State.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“We loved to go recruit his players because you know if you got a great player from Terry, you knew what they stood for and it was bigger than just football,” Campbell said.
Smith took over as interim head coach after James Franklin was fired on October 12. Smith guided Penn State to a 3-3 record and finished the season with three straight wins, clinching a matchup against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 27.
“It’s been so awesome to watch his commitment to Penn State and watch how he’s led this football program and football team through tough and trying times,” Campbell said. “It’s been rewarding.”
Campbell understood the importance of retaining Smith, who played wide receiver at Penn State from 1987-1991 and joined Franklin’s staff in 2014. The Pinstripe Bowl will mark Smith’s final game as head coach before beginning his new role with the program.
I know he’s the cornerstone of his program,” Campbell said. “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.”
