Chicago, IL – Penn State head coach Matt Campbell appeared at his first Big Ten Media Days. Here is the transcript of everything Campbell had to say from the main stage.
Matt Campbell Opening Statement – 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days
First and foremost, I want to thank Commissioner Petitti for his leadership. I’m the new guy in this conference, and from the day we arrived at Penn State, the way he has communicated and led has been outstanding. I’m incredibly grateful.
For me, growing up in the footprint of the Big Ten, playing high school and college football in the Big Ten, and spending my entire coaching career in the footprint of this conference, this is a tremendous honor. Over the last two decades, I’ve studied the great teams and coaches in this league, and I truly believe the Big Ten is the premier conference in college football.
This conference features prestigious academic institutions from coast to coast and football traditions that span generations. I couldn’t be more humbled to represent Penn State. Our university, our athletic department, and our football program.
The history and legacy of Penn State run deep. Great coaches. Great players. Great teams. Some of the finest in the history of college football. It’s an honor to build upon that tradition.
Penn State has played more than 139 years of football and has nearly 950 victories. To have the opportunity to represent that program is one of the greatest honors of my career.
In our short time in State College, we’ve found an incredible community that has wrapped its arms around my family, our coaches, and their families. We’ve also found one of the proudest and most distinguished fan bases in the country.
It’s a fan base that loves football, but more importantly, understands how a football program should be built with character, integrity, class, and excellence. I’ve really appreciated their commitment to those values.
We’ve also found outstanding leadership at the university. President Neeli Bendapudi has tremendous humility, character, and excellence. Athletic Director Pat Kraft is one of the most passionate and competitive leaders in college athletics. Both of them love football, but even more importantly, they want Penn State football built the right way.
That’s why this was such a perfect fit for us. It’s the primary reason we accepted this opportunity.
I’ve always believed that culture and people are what truly create success in college football. Over the last six months, we’ve worked tirelessly to make sure we have the right people in our program.
We continually emphasize three core values.
First, we want great men of character young men who stand for what’s right both on and off the football field.
Second, we want young men with a genuine passion for football. In today’s environment, that passion is constantly challenged. We have to find players and families who trust us and allow us to help those young men become the very best they can be.
Third, we want young men and families who value a meaningful education. That’s one of the greatest gifts Penn State provides. It has one of the strongest alumni networks in the country, and earning a meaningful degree remains incredibly important.
While many things surrounding college football continue to change, winning football games has not. Neither has my belief in how you build a football program.
I still believe it’s my responsibility to help turn young men into great husbands, great fathers, and great leaders. That responsibility hasn’t changed, and it’s one I embrace every day.
At Penn State, we’ve chosen a culture that embraces doing what’s hard rather than what’s easy. We want people who are chasing something greater than simply winning football games.
I’m incredibly proud of our coaching staff and our performance staff. Together, we’ve built a process designed to help this program reach its full potential.
I’d also like to recognize the three young men representing Penn State today. They’re outstanding examples of a locker room filled with players just like them.
They’ve been part of a senior class that includes 24 seniors who have helped establish the standard since we arrived in January.
Anthony Donkoh is entering his fourth year at Penn State and is a two-year starter. Anthony was the first player who committed to staying at Penn State after we arrived. His work ethic, character, and leadership have been tremendous both on and off the field.
Rocco Becht is a senior quarterback who spent the past four seasons at Iowa State. He’s the winningest returning quarterback in college football. His character, toughness, and competitiveness have defined his career, and in a short time he’s become an outstanding leader and connector within our locker room.
Tony Rojas is also entering his fourth year at Penn State and is a two-year starter. After suffering a significant injury in the Oregon game last season, Tony’s determination to battle back has been remarkable. His work ethic, talent, and leadership continue to set the standard for our football program.
Those three are just a small sample of what exists inside our locker room—a group of young men who have chosen to stay at Penn State and others who came here because they believe in what we’re building.
We continue to talk about building one team—a team with high standards and expectations, a team that understands nothing is guaranteed.
Our hopes and dreams must be earned every single day.
This opportunity is bigger than any one individual. We have the privilege of representing one of the greatest traditions in college football, and together we’ll pursue success with honor every single day.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.With that, I’d be happy to take your questions.
Q&A
Q: What made D’anton Lynn the right choice as your defensive coordinator?
Campbell: Great question.
First, D’anton has spent the last three years as a defensive coordinator in the Big Ten. He understands this conference, the style of play, and what it takes to build great defenses. You’ve seen the impact he’s had at both UCLA and USC.
Second, he’s a former Penn State player. He understands what it means to play here and what it means to lead here. He and his family have a deep passion for Penn State and the community.
Beyond that, he’s an outstanding teacher. He’s assembled an excellent staff around him and has already made a tremendous impact on our players. Those qualities made him the right fit.
Q: You’re moving away from the 3-3-5 defense you used at Iowa State. Why make that change?
Campbell: There were several factors.
Earlier in my career at Toledo, we were primarily a four-down front with multiple variations. Even during our first two seasons at Iowa State, we started from a four-down structure before evolving into the defense we became known for.
As the Big 12 evolved with more multiple tight-end sets and more pro-style offenses we found ourselves naturally moving back toward four-down fronts in certain situations anyway.
When we got to Penn State, we evaluated who we are, what our personnel looks like, and what gives us the best opportunity to succeed.
Multiplicity remains extremely important to us. We still have coaches like Tyson Veidt and Deon Broomfield, who bring tremendous experience from Iowa State. We’ll continue to be multiple defensively, but our foundation will begin from a four-down front.
Q: How important was it to retain Terry Smith on your coaching staff?
Campbell: It was extremely important.
Before I even accepted the job, keeping Terry was a priority, and I give Pat Kraft and the university a great deal of credit for making that possible.
I’ve known Terry for a long time. When I coached at Toledo, we were always trying to recruit players from his high school because of the kind of young men he developed.
Then, watching him lead Penn State through a difficult stretch at the end of last season only reinforced my respect for him. It wasn’t an easy situation, but Terry steadied the program and gave us a strong foundation moving forward.
I’m grateful to work alongside him, and our players benefit tremendously from having him on staff.
Q: You nearly left Iowa State for the NFL a few years ago. Why was Penn State the right opportunity now?
Campbell: I truly loved my time at Iowa State, and I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished there over ten years.
If we were ever going to leave, it had to be for a place that aligned with my beliefs about culture, leadership, and building a football program.
Over the past six months, we’ve been reminded every day why Penn State was the right fit.
The history is special. The tradition is special. But what really resonated with me is how Penn State has always valued integrity, character, and class at its best.
That aligns with who I am and how I believe a program should be built. That’s why this opportunity was the right one for my family and for me.
