Matt Campbell Opens Penn State Era With Respect for Franklin and Smith

Penn State fans have been dealing with mixed emotions ever since the school chose Matt Campbell as its next head coach instead of beloved interim Terry Smith. But Campbell wasted no time trying to win over the fanbase. During his introductory speech on December 8, he made it clear that he respects the men who came before him — James Franklin and the coach many players wanted permanently, Terry Smith.

The new coach arrives with a massive eight-year, $70.5 million contract that runs through 2033. He will make $8 million in year one, and his salary will rise by $250,000 in 2027, 2028, 2029 and again in 2031. With this kind of investment, Penn State has made it clear it expects Campbell to deliver big results.

Franklin left behind a strong résumé. He took Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinal, finished the 2024 season with a 13–3 record, and won the 2016 Big Ten championship. He also guided the program to nine additional bowl games, winning four of them. Across his entire run, Franklin had just one losing season — yet the school still decided to move in a new direction.

Penn State is determined to make the Matt Campbell era successful. According to Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone, the school has committed nearly $30 million in NIL backing for him. Athletic director Pat Kraft has also said he wants Campbell “to maximize elite-level resources.”

One of Campbell’s early challenges is easing concerns from fans who wanted Smith. Campbell addressed that head-on, speaking warmly about the longtime assistant.

Matt Campbell said he first met Terry Smith back when Smith was leading Gateway. Campbell added that they always enjoyed recruiting players from Smith’s program because they knew those athletes were well-coached. He also said it has been great to see Smith’s dedication to Penn State over the years.

Smith’s future is also looking bright. Insider Jordan Schultz reports that Smith will become the highest-paid non-coordinator in program history. His impact on the locker room is already well known — during Penn State’s 37–10 win over Nebraska, players held up “Hire Terry Smith” signs, and alumni voiced their support.

Even Kraft, whose leaked audio once hinted Smith wouldn’t keep the job, publicly thanked him once Campbell was hired. He said he was truly grateful to Terry Smith for stepping in and leading the team when they needed him the most.

As for Matt Campbell, his journey to Penn State took a few twists. For the first 51 days of the coaching search, he wasn’t even under consideration. He later revealed he had turned down two major offers after nearly leaving Iowa State — the winningest program of his career. His ties to the region played a major role in his final decision. Campbell grew up in Massillon, Ohio, spent summers with family in Pennsylvania, and his wife’s family still lives nearby.

Over the last five years, Matt Campbell has been one of the most sought-after names in the Power 4 and even drew NFL interest from teams like the Lions and Bears. His move to Penn State impressed many, including Ohio State alum and ESPN host Kirk Herbstreit, who called it “the best fit” of the entire coaching cycle.

Matt Campbell will lean on some familiar faces as he builds his new staff. Terry Smith is staying on board, and multiple reports say Campbell has already made his first major hire — Iowa State assistant athletic director for player personnel Derek Hoodjer, who will follow him to Penn State.

The Matt Campbell era is officially underway, and all eyes are now on who he brings in next — and how quickly he can turn respect into results.

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