Where Matt Campbell ranks on USA Today’s top-25 CFB coaches list
· Yahoo Sports
Penn State knew they were taking somewhat of a risk when they hired Matt Campbell last December. They could have targeted a young hotshot or retained Terry Smith as head coach, who had a ton of support from the front office and fanbase, but they went with Campbell instead.
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The former Iowa State coach brings a mix of experience and success, with the only caveat being that he hasn’t faced much competition at either of his past stops. Paul Myerberg, Blake Toppmeyer, Jordan Mendoza and Austin Curtright of USA Today surely took those factors into account when creating their top-25 head coaches in college football list, where they have Campbell placed at No. 15.
That isn’t a bad ranking for someone beginning his first job with a powerhouse school, but it will surely ruffle some feathers in the Nittany Lions’ fanbase, as James Franklin is rated slightly above Campbell at No. 14. While the Virginia Tech coach has his flaws, it’s hard to argue with the sustained success he cultivated and the national respect he carries.
For Penn State, they have a capable roster that will face one of the easiest schedules out of any Power 4 school. Campbell can significantly outshine this ranking if he capitalizes on the favorable path he seems to have in the 2026 season. He’s already proven to be a shockingly good recruiter and a culture setter, but now let’s see if he has the power to embolden his group to make an unexpected run.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Where Matt Campbell ranks on USA Today’s top-25 CFB coaches list