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Penn State's Matt Campbell Cites UConn's NCAA Upset of Duke as Coaching Lesson
The Nittany Lions coach wants to learn how his players respond to wins and losses, even in practice.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:11pm
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Penn State football coach Matt Campbell referenced UConn's stunning NCAA tournament upset of Duke as a teaching moment for his team during spring practice. Campbell wants to see how his players respond to both wins and losses, even in practice drills, as the Nittany Lions install a new defensive system under coordinator D'Anton Lynn.
Why it matters
Campbell is using the UConn-Duke game as an example to emphasize the importance of mental toughness and the ability to consistently perform at a high level, even in the face of unexpected outcomes. This aligns with his goal of instilling a 'slow and right' mindset focused on technique and communication as the team builds towards the upcoming season.
The details
During spring practice, Campbell has been stressing the need for his players to maintain their composure and focus regardless of whether they experience success or failure in drills. He wants to see how they respond to 'wins and losses' on every rep, believing that is indicative of the mental fortitude required to win at the highest level.
- Penn State is in its second week of spring practice.
- The Nittany Lions are installing a new defensive system under coordinator D'Anton Lynn.
The players
Matt Campbell
The head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
D'Anton Lynn
The new defensive coordinator for the Penn State Nittany Lions, who is installing a new defensive structure that requires constant communication from the players.
Deon Broomfield
The safeties coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions, who said that new coordinator D'Anton Lynn is asking players and coaches for 'obnoxious communication'.
Braylon Mullins
The UConn basketball player who hit the game-winning shot to upset Duke in the NCAA tournament.
What they’re saying
“You guys got to watch the Duke basketball game against UConn. Like, that's the world we live in. Boy, we all want to be great coaches and we want it to all look perfect, but that's not the world we live in.”
— Matt Campbell, Head Coach, Penn State Nittany Lions
“Tough times are going to happen. Good things are going to happen. And it's the team that's mentally tough enough and physically tough enough to be able to just consistently keep showing up and being the best in the moment. Those are the ones that have the ability to win.”
— Matt Campbell, Head Coach, Penn State Nittany Lions
What’s next
As Penn State continues spring practice, Campbell will be closely monitoring how his players respond to both successes and setbacks during drills, looking for signs of the mental toughness and focus he believes will be crucial for the team's success in the upcoming season.
The takeaway
By using the example of UConn's upset of Duke, Matt Campbell is emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and the ability to maintain composure in the face of unexpected outcomes - a lesson he believes will serve his Penn State team well as they work to install a new defensive system and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
