John B’s Sports Blog

By John Brown Dec-5-2025

Sources: Penn State in final negotiations with Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell.

Update dec 5 7:40pm Campbell agrees to an expected $40 million 8 year deal.

Now 2 months post the firing of James Franklin following Penn States loss to now 6-6 Northwestern. Reports are coming out of negotiations between Penn State and Matt Campbell finalizing on the Head coach position.

Campbell’s “Do more with less” philosophy should be a good fit as Penn State struggled to recruit for the 2026 season. Campbell has no problem turning 3 and 4 star recruits into NFL caliber talent, Brock Purdy, Breece hall, Allen Lazard, and David Montgomery are all notable players coached under Matt Campbell.

Since 2016 Matt Campbell has been the head coach of the Cyclones, Recognized as a turnaround point for the program as Campbell is the winningest coach in Iowa State history with a record of 72-55.