Matt Campbell Could Boost Penn State—and Give the Eagles a Big Edge

Penn State’s coaching search has zeroed in on Matt Campbell, and the potential ripple effect goes far beyond State College. Campbell, who built a tough and respected program at Iowa State with a 72–55 record, is seen as a strong cultural fit for the Nittany Lions. But one of the biggest reasons his name is gaining traction isn’t on the field—it’s a relationship that dates back to his college days.

If Penn State hires Matt Campbell, the NFL team most excited might actually be the Philadelphia Eagles, a franchise valued at $8.3 billion. Eagles reporter Zach Berman summed it up simply: “Matt Campbell is Nick Sirianni’s college roommate.” That connection alone could strengthen an already tight relationship between Penn State and the Eagles.

Matt Campbell and Sirianni go way back to their days at Mount Union, where they were teammates, roommates, and part of a powerhouse run from 1999 to 2002. Together, they helped the Purple Raiders win three straight Division III national titles. Their paths crossed again in 2005 when both served as assistant coaches. Sirianni has never hidden his respect for Campbell, calling him a flat-out “winner” and keeping close tabs on Iowa State because several former Mount Union players coach there.

Their longtime bond could turn into a major recruiting tool for Penn State. The university already sits in Eagles territory, with a massive chunk of its fan base also rooting for Philadelphia. Historically, it’s also been a strong draft pipeline—23 Penn State players have been selected by the Eagles over the years, including big names like Saquon Barkley, who signed with Philly in 2024.

With Matt Campbell in charge, Penn State players could benefit from easier access to NFL feedback through the league’s College Advisory Committee. And with Sirianni in the mix, the Eagles’ front office—led by GM Howie Roseman—would likely stay even more plugged in to Penn State’s talent pool.

But it’s not all upside for the Nittany Lions

Matt Campbell brings toughness, consistency, and the ability to develop under-the-radar talent. Still, his recruiting résumé raises fair questions. His best class at Iowa State, ranked No. 49 nationally, doesn’t match Penn State’s usual recruiting firepower. His top 2026 commit sits outside the national top 450, and 11 of his 21 signees ranked below 1,000—a major contrast for a program used to landing blue-chip talent.

Former players like Landon Tengwall have also voiced caution, pointing out Iowa State’s tendency to rely more on developmental pieces rather than elite prospects. Penn State, meanwhile, has signed only two recruits outside the top 1,000 since 2016.

There’s also the timing factor. If Campbell takes the job, he’ll be thrown directly into the deep end. The transfer portal reopens on January 2, giving him almost no time to settle in before fighting to keep Penn State’s roster intact. The comparison to James Franklin’s whirlwind turnaround at Virginia Tech shows how aggressive a new coach needs to be. Franklin flipped more than 10 Penn State commits and pushed VT’s class up to No. 23, all with the help of GM Andy Frank.

Matt Campbell might pull 10–15 transfers, but Penn State expects more than steady rebuilding—it expects top-tier recruiting and instant stability.

Penn State has a big decision to make. Campbell has the connections, the reputation, and the leadership style to stabilize the program. But the question remains: can he recruit at the level Penn State fans expect?

His hiring could strengthen the bridge to the Eagles, energize local fans, and create a powerful NFL pipeline. The only thing left to decide is whether that upside outweighs the risks.

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