Campbell

UNIVERSITY PARK — It hasn’t taken long for Matt Campbell to feel the pride of Penn State.

Campbell was introduced as the Nittany Lions’ new head football coach on Dec. 8. For the last seven weeks, he’s been recruiting, assembling a coaching staff and roster, meeting and greeting lettermen, media and community members.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” he said Wednesday.

His family has now joined him.

“Finally, we’re settled in,” he told a national letter-of-intent day press conference at Beaver Stadium. “We’re actually in a house, so it felt like I was a normal human being for the first time in two months. To have them here has been awesome, and they’re off to a great start, which I’m really grateful for. This community has wrapped their arms around us, and I appreciate that.”

Campbell attended two events over the weekend that widened his eyes — the unbeaten wrestling team’s win over Nebraska at Rec Hall on Friday night followed a day later by the hockey team’s game at Beaver Stadium against Michigan State which drew 74,575.

“Two of the greatest sporting events I’ve ever been a part of,” Campbell told athletic director Pat Kraft. “To be able to watch that place (Beaver Stadium) fill up, it kind of gives you chills.”

Many of his players and staff members were on hand, which he called “great to watch — understanding it’s bigger than you.”

Including 24 transfers from his Iowa State program, Campbell said the Lions will have 55 new players this fall.

He frequently uses the words “unity” and alignment” to describe the integration process of fielding the best team possible with Cyclone newcomers — including quarterback and projected starter Rocco Becht — and the Lions who chose to remain.

“All the Iowa State people,” new offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said, “we told them we’re not Iowa State people anymore. We told that to the Penn State guys as well.”

Becht underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder in December and is unlikely to participate in spring practice contact drills.

Campbell did say he intends to stage a Blue-White game in April, a Penn State tradition. Some coaches have moved away from that due to injury concerns, but Campbell said: “I think it’s really important for our kids to be in that stadium with our fans.”

Becht, who threw 64 touchdowns passes in the last three seasons for Iowa State, has one season of eligibility remaining.

“I don’t think any college quarterback coming back has won more games in the final minutes than him,” Campbell said. “I believe Penn State football is integrity, character, class, excellence, grit. He embodies every one of those traits. He’s one of the greatest leaders I’ve been around.”

Campbell is not only confident about his quarterback but said, “I feel very good about our roster, top to bottom” and proceeded to run down the depth chart in detail.

“We need to create three-deep at every position,” he said.

He was glad Tony Rojas has returned from injury and said freshman linebacker Alex Tatsch “has the ability to be one of the all-time great linebackers here.”

After expressing confidence in almost every position group, he added, “I didn’t mention the offensive line. We feel as good about that room as any room.”

Following his hiring, Campbell met with every staff member over a three-day period. He said it took him “two seconds” to realize linebackers coach Dan Connor should stay along with quarterbacks coach Trace McSorley and recruiting specialist Alan Zemaitis – all former PSU players.

“Our lettermen are the superpowers of Penn State football,” Campbell said.

Campbell has met with lettermen by era in Zoom meetings over the past few days.

“These are the people, players and coaches, who came before us,” he said. “Unifying and aligning our history is so critical and makes Penn State really special. We need everybody.”

Notes: Sophomore LaVar Arrington, son of the former Lion star and College Football Hall of Famer, has moved from linebacker to defensive end … The Lions’ 2026 recruiting class includes four high school recruits and one transfer, along with 10 previously announced players. The entire newcomer roster is listed on the Mirror website.