What Happened to Penn State Nittany Lions football?
Penn State Nittany Lions football experienced a tumultuous period from 2023 to 2025, marked by a strong 2024 College Football Playoff appearance followed by a significant downturn and the firing of long-time head coach James Franklin. As of April 2026, the program is undergoing a major rebuild under new head coach Matt Campbell, with a largely new coaching staff and roster, aiming for a resurgence in the upcoming season.
Quick Answer
Penn State Nittany Lions football is currently in a rebuilding phase under new head coach Matt Campbell, who was hired in December 2025 after the dismissal of James Franklin. The 2025 season saw a "historic collapse" from a No. 2 preseason ranking to a 7-6 record, leading to Franklin's departure. Campbell has overhauled the coaching staff and brought in numerous transfers, particularly from his former team, Iowa State, with former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht expected to lead the offense. The team is preparing for the 2026 season with renewed optimism, despite significant roster and staff turnover, and is projected by some to be a top-15 team nationally.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
James Franklin Signs 10-Year Contract Extension
Head coach James Franklin agreed to a new 10-year contract, extending his tenure through the 2031 season.
2023 Season Review and Defensive Coordinator Departure
Penn State finished the 2023 season with a 10-3 record, ranked 13th nationally, but lost the Peach Bowl. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz left to become head coach at Duke.
Penn State Signs 2024 Recruiting Class
The Nittany Lions signed 25 players in their 2024 recruiting class, which was ranked 15th nationally and 3rd in the Big Ten by On3.
2024 Season Concludes with CFP Semifinal Loss
Penn State finished the 2024 season with a 13-3 record, ranked 5th in the AP poll, after losing to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal Orange Bowl.
Penn State Inks 2025 Signing Class
Head coach James Franklin unveiled the 2025 Penn State Football recruiting class, welcoming 27 student-athletes. The class was ranked 13th nationally.
Key Additions to 2025 Roster via Transfer Portal
Penn State officially signed three new players to the 2025 roster, including linebacker Amare Campbell and receiver Trebor Pena, bolstering the team.
James Franklin Fired After "Historic Collapse"
Following a disappointing 3-3 start to the 2025 season and a six-game losing streak, James Franklin was fired as head coach. The team had started the season ranked No. 2 nationally.
Franklin Accepts Virginia Tech Head Coach Position
James Franklin agreed to a negotiated buyout with Penn State (approximately $9 million) and was subsequently announced as the new head coach for Virginia Tech.
Matt Campbell Hired as New Head Coach
Matt Campbell, formerly the head coach at Iowa State, was officially introduced as the new head football coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
New Coaching Staff Announced Under Campbell
Penn State announced 10 additions to its 2026 staff, including Taylor Mouser (Offensive Coordinator) and Ryan Clanton (Offensive Line), many joining from Iowa State.
Rocco Becht Named Starting Quarterback
Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, who followed Matt Campbell to Penn State, is expected to lead the offense as the starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
2026 Roster Bolstered by Signees and Transfers
Penn State added four high school signees and one transfer, QB Connor Barry, to the 2026 roster. The transfer class includes 40 student-athletes, with many from Iowa State.
ESPN Ranks Penn State No. 15 in Way-Too-Early Top 25
Despite significant turnover, ESPN's Mark Schlabach moved Penn State to No. 15 in his updated 'way-too-early' top-25 rankings for the 2026 college football season.
2027 Recruiting Class Nears Top 5
Penn State's 2027 recruiting class is ranked No. 6 nationally by 247Sports, following a strong recruiting weekend with multiple new commitments.
Blue-White Practice Concludes Spring Drills
Penn State concludes its spring football practices with the annual Blue-White Practice at Beaver Stadium, marking the end of the first spring under new head coach Matt Campbell.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Penn State Nittany Lions football program navigated a period of both high achievement and significant upheaval between 2023 and early 2026. Under head coach James Franklin, who had signed a substantial 10-year contract extension through 2031 in November 2021, the team aimed to consistently compete at the top of the Big Ten Conference and for national championships.
The 2023 season saw the Nittany Lions achieve a respectable 10-3 record, finishing 13th in the AP poll, but they fell short in key matchups against top-tier opponents like Ohio State and Michigan, and ultimately lost the Peach Bowl to Ole Miss. Offensive consistency remained a point of concern, despite quarterback Drew Allar's solid statistics, and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz departed for Duke after the season.
Hope surged in the 2024 season, where Penn State posted an impressive 13-3 record and reached the College Football Playoff semifinal, ultimately losing to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Quarterback Drew Allar showed considerable development, and the team's defense remained a strong unit. This performance fueled high expectations for 2025, with Penn State earning a No. 2 preseason ranking in the AP poll.
However, the 2025 season proved to be a dramatic turning point. After a 3-0 start, the Nittany Lions suffered a "historic collapse," losing six consecutive games, including significant defeats to Oregon, Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana. This unprecedented downturn led to the firing of James Franklin on October 12, 2025, midway through the season. Associate head coach Terry Smith stepped in as interim head coach, guiding the team to win its final three regular-season games and a 22-10 victory over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl, finishing the season 7-6. Franklin subsequently agreed to a negotiated buyout of approximately $9 million, a significant reduction from his initial contract terms, and was hired as the head coach at Virginia Tech in November 2025.
The program entered a new era in December 2025 with the hiring of Matt Campbell, formerly the head coach at Iowa State. Campbell immediately initiated a comprehensive overhaul, bringing in an entirely new coaching staff, including Taylor Mouser as offensive coordinator and Jon Heacock expected as defensive coordinator, many of whom followed him from Iowa State. The roster also saw massive changes, with approximately 50 new athletes joining the program, including over 20 transfers from Iowa State. Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht is slated to lead the offense in 2026.
As of April 25, 2026, Penn State football is in the midst of spring practice, concluding with the Blue-White Practice. Despite the extensive turnover, there is cautious optimism surrounding Campbell's patient approach and the team's potential. ESPN has already placed the Nittany Lions at No. 15 in its "way-too-early" 2026 rankings, and the upcoming schedule is considered manageable, setting the stage for a potential rebound season. Additionally, the 2026 NFL Draft is expected to be significant for former Nittany Lions, with up to 10 players potentially being selected, including projected first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Penn State Nittany Lions football made different choices?