Penn State Hires New Football Coach Matt Campbell

Praised for being genuine and empowering his staff

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Penn State University has hired Matt Campbell as its new head football coach, replacing the previous coach. Campbell, who has been the boss of assistant coach Ryan Clanton since 2023, is being praised for creating a positive working environment and giving his staff a lot of autonomy in their roles.

Why it matters

Penn State's football program has struggled in recent years, so the hiring of a new coach seen as a strong leader and motivator is an important move to try to turn the team around and re-energize the fan base.

The details

Ryan Clanton, who has worked under Campbell since 2023, described the new Penn State coach as "probably the easiest coach in the nation to work for" and said the working environment under Campbell "makes you a happy employee" because he "gives you a lot of ownership at your position."

  • Matt Campbell was hired as Penn State's new head football coach in 2026.

The players

Matt Campbell

The new head football coach at Penn State University.

Ryan Clanton

An assistant coach who has worked under Matt Campbell since 2023 and praised him for creating a positive working environment.

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What they’re saying

“He's probably the easiest coach in the nation to work for. The working environment makes you a happy employee. He gives you a lot of ownership at your position.”

— Ryan Clanton, Assistant Coach

What’s next

Penn State fans and alumni will be closely watching to see if Campbell can turn the football program around and lead the team to success on the field in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

The hiring of Matt Campbell as Penn State's new head football coach is seen as a positive move, as he is praised for his leadership style that empowers his staff and creates a positive work environment, which could help revitalize the struggling program.