Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith reacts against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

As much as the media that covers Penn State likes Terry Smith (and, why not, many of them have been covering him in some form for more than three decades), the contingent has also been fair and honest about his chances to become the program’s head coach.

They’ve chronicled the hype and have generally not gotten caught up in it — including last week’s high-water mark for Smith’s coaching candidacy, as he secured his first home victory in the role.

Obvious things like the Hire Terry Smith effort championed by a fan on Instagram, which included players with signs on the field after the game, and the persistent cheers for Smith during last week’s game at Beaver Stadium are newsworthy and notable.

They’re emotional, honest and even feel-good moments in a season that had too few of those when it really mattered.

Still, you get the sense that most media members would be at least mildly surprised if Smith got the job — although he reportedly got his official interview this week.

Kudos to Smith, even if he had no part of the campaign, for getting the interview. It’s a deserved opportunity, and he’s made the most of his interim role.

He’s clearly authentic, committed to Penn State and passionate — and all those traits have played well in the media since he took over. It’s been good, compelling and even refreshing.

It’s not clear it will be enough, though.

Most of all, Smith would be less than what athletic director Pat Kraft said he wanted when he ousted James Franklin. And, as many have pointed out (both locally and nationally), you do not fire the top guy only to hire his top assistant.

Now, maybe Smith’s program would be markedly different from Franklin’s, because they’re different people. And maybe Smith’s run in charge of things has revealed traits Kraft and others did not know existed, things that make him a strong candidate.

Plus, with the way the field of candidates has closed off, maybe Smith represents a good option without breaking the bank for some higher-profile head coach Penn State would have to pry from another program.

It’s interesting on so many levels, and it’s largely an unknown, quiet process. Just as Franklin’s firing was first reported by a national outlet, it seems likely that the next person’s arrival will come from a national media outlet before a local outlet as well.

Sure, Smith might tip some folks off if he does not get the gig, but if someone’s coming from the outside, it’s a good bet it will be an outside entity that shares it first.

Stadium stuff

It might have been the last home game of the season at Beaver Stadium last week, but Penn State’s gameday presentation still displayed what should have been early-season struggles.

For whatever reason, the overall operation and presentation typically take a couple weeks to iron out each season, and by the end it’s smooth. Last week, though, was a throwback.

For example, the pregame senior class sendoff included a couple of players out of order, the game stats on the videoboards were incorrect at the start of the game and an honorary captain segment featuring former standout Rich Gardner was completed without any on-camera acknowledgment of Gardner.

The last one seemed like a technology issue, and stuff does happen. Still, this is one of the world’s largest stadiums, with seven major events each calendar year. It just seems like they should come off feeling like major events — and too often they do not.

Notable

– The upcoming coaching decision for Penn State — and it could come as early as this weekend — guarantees a busy couple of months during what’s typically the early offseason for media covering the program. That’s because the change will bring transfer portal news (comings and goings), stories about the staff makeup, stories about NIL and revenue plans and a lot of stories about recruiting. Plus, there will be a public rollout and a lot of competition to find different angles on the news.

– Former Penn State standout QBs Todd Blackledge and Michael Robinson, both of whom were part of NBC’s coverage of last week’s Nebraska-Penn State, got their chance to offer on-air support of Terry Smith as coach during the broadcast. Robinson’s came early, and Blackledge’s comments were near the end. It took a little bit for Blackledge to chime in, it seemed. Probably not because he did not have an opinion, but he often strives to remain on the game assignment. Clearly last week’s case was different, though.

– While NBC seemed behind a bit in teeing up Blackledge to comment on the coaching situation, the broadcast did a good job chronicling Kaytron Allen’s march to become the programs all-time rushing leader. In fact, a couple of plays before it happened, Blackledge seemed antsy and encouraged Penn State to call a play for the running back and get it over.

– If you’re pondering a potential Penn State postseason opportunity, the GameAbove Sports Bowl is scheduled at 1 p.m.

Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit and the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe bowl kicks off at noon Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium in New York. Potential opponents would be a Mid-American Conference team in the former and maybe Pitt in the latter.

– This week’s 3:30 p.m. kick time is the sixth of the season at that time for Penn State — the most of any game starts. There have also been three at noon, two at 7 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.

Worth watching

Ohio State at Michigan, Noon Saturday, Fox

Miami at Pitt, Noon Saturday, ABC

Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN

Alabama at Auburn, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC

Sampsell covers the broadcast end of Penn State football for Gameday. He can be reached at stevesampsell@gmail.com