The pressure that comes with being head coach at Penn State University was arguably better understood by James Franklin than by anyone else. Franklin spent over a decade at the program before being dismissed last year. For new head coach Matt Campbell, that pressure might just be the tip of the iceberg.
On “The Triple Option” podcast, Urban Meyer said he had high hopes for Campbell but wondered whether he would reach the heights Franklin did, which had made the program a powerhouse over several years.
“Matt Campbell, who’s a friend of mine for many years, took a big step from Iowa State to Penn State; again, he’s not used to the hammering that you’re gonna take if you stumble,” Meyer said on the podcast.
“And the question I have and I’ve actually asked Jay Paterno this. Can he do better than James Franklin? He’s got a new quarterback, he’s got new staff, and usually it takes a minute to get going and he can’t lose his momentum.”
Franklin posted a 104-45 record in 12 years at Penn State, winning the Big Ten Championship in the 2016 season and leading the program to the CFP semifinals in the 2024 season.
Jay Paterno has been synonymous with Penn State over the years, first playing for the program and then transitioning into coaching, training quarterbacks and tight ends while also serving as the recruiting coordinator.
Matt Campbell’s Philosophy While Recruiting Quarterbacks
Penn State head coach Matt Campbell recently spoke about his mindset during the recruiting process, specifically how he gets in quarterbacks.
“I feel like the quarterback has got to have the leadership ability, the toughness and the grit to control the locker room,” Campbell said, per Sports Illustrated.
“I think you’re always looking for the right intangibles that way. Everybody likes fast, everybody likes arm strength, but those things don’t win. What wins is grit, toughness, character and the ability to lead others around. The locker room always know who the quarterback should be.”
Penn State has landed commitments from quarterbacks Will Wood and James Armstrong, but missed out on Trey Tagliaferri, who committed to the Fighting Irish.
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