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By Matt Audilet
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Penn State Nittany Lions are entering their first season of the Matt Campbell coaching era.
Campbell was hired as the Nittany Lions' newest program leader in December of last year. He replaced longtime head coach James Franklin, who was fired following a 3-3 start to the 2025 season.
In order to accept his new position in Happy Valley, Campbell had to leave his beloved home in Ames behind. The 46-year-old coach spent the previous ten season coaching the Iowa State Cyclones.
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On Tuesday, Campbell explained exactly what it took for him to leaving Iowa State behind.
“For me, I really loved my time in Ames, Iowa. I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish at Iowa State in our 10 years," Campbell said at Big Ten Media Days, via On3 Sports. "Great players, great people, great community. If we were ever going to leave Iowa State, it was going to have to be a school and an institution that really fit how I believe you build culture, how you build team, and how you build forward.
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“I think for the last six months, we’ve been reminded why it was such a great fit for us at Penn State. The history, what it means to play there, how you do it, and the integrity and character and class in its finest moments; what Penn State football has stood for really resonated with myself and my background. It had to be a perfect fit, and that’s why.”
Campbell will begin his Penn State coaching career with a matchup against the Marshall Thundering Herd on Sept. 5.
Iowa State, now led by head coach Jimmy Rogers, will begin their season with a matchup against Southeast Missouri State.
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