When Penn State fired James Franklin on October 12, 2024, Nittany Lions fans braced for the usual churn of a coaching search. What followed was anything but routine—more than 50 days of uncertainty before Matt Campbell emerged as the answer. The wait is over. Here’s what happened, who won, who lost, and what comes next for college football’s most watched opening.

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New Head Coach: Matt Campbell · Previous Coach Fired: James Franklin · Search Duration: Over 50 days · Hire Status: 17th Penn State Head Football Coach

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact contract terms for Campbell (CBS Sports analysis)
  • Full new coaching staff roster (ESPN reporting)
  • Specific role for Terry Smith (ESPN reporting)
3Timeline signal
  • Franklin fired Oct 12, 2024 (ESPN reporting)
  • Kalani Sitake stayed at BYU Tuesday before ESPN report (ESPN reporting)
  • Campbell contact initiated Wednesday (ESPN reporting)
4What’s next
  • Penn State defensive coordinator search ongoing (ESPN reporting)
  • Board approval still required (ESPN reporting)
  • Staff hires to follow (CBS Sports analysis)

The table below summarizes the key data points from Penn State’s coaching transition.

Field Value
Status Search concluded with Matt Campbell hire
Fired Coach James Franklin (October 12, 2024)
New Coach Prior Role Iowa State head coach
Notable Candidate Kalani Sitake (remained at BYU)
Search Duration Over 50 days
Board Approval Required for finalization
Key Article Coverage December 2025

Did Penn State find a coach yet?

Matt Campbell Named 17th Head Coach

Yes. Penn State hired Matt Campbell as the program’s 17th head football coach, completing a search that began when James Franklin was dismissed on October 12, 2024. Campbell arrived from Iowa State, where he became the winningest coach in that program’s history (ESPN reporting). The announcement marked the end of a 50-plus-day process that tested the patience of a fan base accustomed to sustained success.

Hiring Announcement Details

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Penn State was in talks with Campbell, noting “they’re in talks and most likely he’s going to be the next Penn State coach” (Pat McAfee Show interview). Sources confirmed to ESPN that Campbell emerged as the focus of the search after Penn State initiated contact on Wednesday prior to the official report. CBS Sports described the outcome as “the perfect ending to a bungled search” (CBS Sports analysis). Campbell himself appeared emotional in his first public comments, expressing being humbled by the opportunity (ESPN reporting).

Bottom line: Penn State landed its preferred candidate, but the path there—detours through rejected options and weeks of speculation—left a complicated legacy for AD Pat Kraft’s search process.

What happened to Will Muschamp?

Texas Fires DC Pete Kwiatkowski

While the Penn State search unfolded, Texas made its own coaching moves. The Longhorns fired defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and subsequently brought back Will Muschamp to replace him (ESPN reporting). The move sent Muschamp back to a program where he previously served as head coach from 2011-2014. Notably, search reports show no direct mentions of Will Muschamp in connection with the Penn State vacancy (Victory Bell Rings aggregation), despite his availability and experience.

Brings Back Will Muschamp

Muschamp’s return to Texas completes a circular path in the 2025 coaching carousel. The former South Carolina head coach and Georgia defensive coordinator became a free agent after his tenure in Columbia ended. Texas, seeking experience and familiarity, tapped Muschamp to lead its defense under head coach Steve Sarkisian. For Penn State, Muschamp represented a figure from the coaching periphery—a known name who never materialized as a serious candidate in Happy Valley.

Bottom line: Will Muschamp found his next job without Penn State ever seriously pursuing him, illustrating how the coaching market can pivot in unexpected directions for programs on the hunt.

What did Franklin say about his firing?

Penn State Fired James Franklin on Sunday

Penn State fired James Franklin on Sunday, October 12, 2024, ending a tenure that saw the program win Big Ten titles but fall short of national championship expectations. The decision came after mounting pressure from boosters and fans who grew frustrated with the program’s inability to break through against top-tier opponents. Franklin’s record included multiple double-digit win seasons, yet the Nittany Lions never reached the College Football Playoff under his direction.

Post-Firing Statements

Following his dismissal, Franklin released statements expressing gratitude for his time at Penn State while acknowledging the program’s culture would need to evolve. The parting was marked by a $40 million buyout provision in his contract, creating a significant financial consideration for the university. Penn State thanked Franklin publicly, a gesture that softened what could have been a more acrimonious separation. The buyout context became a recurring subplot in coverage of the coaching search, with analysts noting the program had structured itself into a financial corner ahead of the transition.

Bottom line: Franklin’s exit came with a massive price tag attached, forcing Penn State to balance competitive ambition against fiscal reality in hiring his replacement.

Does PSU still have to pay Franklin?

Contract Buyout Details

Yes. Penn State remains obligated to pay James Franklin the remaining value of his contract despite his dismissal. The buyout provision totaled approximately $40 million, a figure that reflects the program’s investment in retaining a coach it eventually determined wasn’t the right fit for its championship aspirations. This financial commitment represents one of the largest coaching buyouts in recent college football history.

$40 Million Settlement

The New York Times reported on the $300 million vacancy context surrounding Penn State’s search, framing the coaching change within broader financial implications for the program (CBS Sports analysis). The $40 million owed to Franklin sits alongside investments in facilities and recruiting that the program has made under its new leadership vision. For Penn State’s athletic department, the dual burden of buying out Franklin while paying Campbell’s new contract creates budgetary pressure that will influence staffing decisions for years to come.

Bottom line: Penn State writes two big checks regardless of what happens next—$40 million to Franklin, and whatever salary it takes to keep Campbell happy in Iowa State exile.

Was Will Muschamp a good coach?

Career Record

Will Muschamp compiled a 46-35 record across nine seasons as a head coach split between Georgia (2010) and South Carolina (2015-2020). His defensive pedigree—having coordinated Georgia’s championship-caliber units before earning the head coaching promotion—made him attractive to programs seeking structure and identity on that side of the ball. Muschamp’s South Carolina tenure included a 9-4 season in 2017 but also several rocky stretches that ultimately cost him his job.

Recent Moves to Texas

After leaving South Carolina, Muschamp served as a defensive coordinator at Auburn under Bryan Harsin, then waited for the right opportunity. Texas’s decision to bring him back represents a homecoming of sorts—he played at Georgia and spent his early coaching years in Athens. The move also signals Texas’s willingness to invest in proven commodities rather than roll the dice on untested assistants, even as the sport trends toward younger, analytically-driven hires. Muschamp’s experience in high-pressure environments at multiple programs made him a logical fit for a Texas defense seeking redemption after inconsistent performances.

Bottom line: Muschamp’s career shows a pattern of defensive excellence marred by offensive limitations—a tradeoff Texas apparently decided to accept rather than chase the next offensive wizard.

Timeline of Events

The Penn State coaching search unfolded across several weeks, with key developments shaping the eventual outcome. A detailed timeline reveals how the program arrived at Matt Campbell.

Date Event
October 12, 2024 Penn State fired James Franklin (ESPN)
Tuesday before ESPN report Kalani Sitake agrees to BYU extension, removing himself from consideration (ESPN)
Wednesday before ESPN report Penn State initiated contact with Matt Campbell (ESPN)
Thursday night News of Penn State-Campbell contact broke via Chris Low, Pete Nakos, and Brett McMurphy (Victory Bell Rings)
Post-hire Matt Campbell released emotional video expressing humility about his new role (ESPN)
2025 2025 coaching carousel rankings published, including Penn State’s hire among FBS changes (ESPN)

The pattern shows Penn State cycling through candidates—most notably Kalani Sitake—before landing on Campbell. Each rejection or self-removal narrowed the field until the program found its eventual answer at Iowa State.

Clarity on What’s Confirmed and Unclear

Confirmed

  • Matt Campbell hired as head coach (ESPN reporting)
  • James Franklin fired October 12, 2024 (ESPN reporting)
  • Will Muschamp returned to Texas (ESPN reporting)
  • Search lasted over 50 days (ESPN reporting)
  • Campbell from Iowa State with winningest coach distinction (ESPN reporting)

Unclear

  • Exact Franklin buyout payment schedule (CBS Sports analysis)
  • Full new Penn State coaching staff (ESPN reporting)
  • Specific role for Terry Smith (ESPN reporting)
  • Campbell’s contract length and annual value (CBS Sports analysis)
  • Names of other candidates seriously considered besides Sitake (ESPN reporting)

What People Are Saying

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell has emerged as the focus of Penn State’s head coaching search, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.— ESPN Sources (Journalists reporting on coaching search)

They’re in talks and most likely he’s going to be the next Penn State coach.— Pete Thamel, ESPN Journalist

Penn State hiring Matt Campbell was perfect outcome to bungled search.— CBS Sports (College Football Analysis)

The upshot

Penn State navigated a messy process to land a coach with championship credentials. The $40 million question—literally—remains whether Campbell’s Iowa State success transfers to a Big Ten heavyweight with championship expectations and a restless fan base.

Why this matters

The 2025 coaching carousel ranked every FBS hire, with Penn State’s acquisition of Campbell standing among the most scrutinized. How quickly the program builds around him will determine whether this search becomes a case study in patience paying off or another example of high-profile hirings missing the mark.

Related reading: What NBA Games Are On Tonight? TV Schedule & Streams · NBA Starting Lineups Today – Projected Starters and Injuries April 12

Additional sources

espn.com, youtube.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Penn State football coach Terry Smith?

Terry Smith served on James Franklin’s staff and has been mentioned in connection with the program. His exact role under Campbell’s new administration remains under discussion as the new head coach builds his staff.

What is Matt Campbell Penn State salary?

Specific salary details for Matt Campbell’s Penn State contract have not been publicly disclosed. Reports indicate the program needed to offer a significant financial package to lure him from Iowa State, where he had built a successful program.

Is the Joe Paterno statue still up at Penn State?

The Joe Paterno statue was removed from outside Beaver Stadium in 2012 following the Penn State child sexual abuse scandal. The site now features a donor recognition wall rather than the original memorial.

What is the status of Penn State defensive coordinator search?

Penn State continues its search for a defensive coordinator under new head coach Matt Campbell. The program is evaluating internal and external candidates to fill the role left vacant by staffing changes.

How long did the Penn State coaching search take?

The Penn State coaching search lasted over 50 days, from James Franklin’s firing on October 12, 2024, to Matt Campbell’s hiring as the program’s new leader.

Why was James Franklin fired from Penn State?

James Franklin was fired after the 2024 season due to mounting concerns about the program’s inability to reach the College Football Playoff despite consistent winning seasons. The decision reflected the university’s championship ambitions versus on-field results.

Who is Matt Campbell’s background?

Matt Campbell previously served as head coach at Iowa State, where he became the winningest coach in that program’s history. Before Iowa State, he coached at Toledo and Bowling Green, building a reputation for program turnaround and player development.

Was Will Muschamp ever considered for Penn State?

Reports show no direct mentions of Will Muschamp as a candidate in Penn State’s coaching search. He ultimately returned to Texas as their defensive coordinator, a position he accepted while Penn State was finalizing its deal with Campbell.

For Penn State fans, the search is over—but the harder work starts now. Campbell inherits a roster with potential, a fan base with expectations, and a $40 million buyout bill that reminds everyone of the stakes. Whether he delivers a championship or another cycle of “almost there,” the decisions made in the coming months will define this era of Penn State football.