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Penn State Hires Matt Campbell as New Head Coach

4/17/2026

39 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Penn State hired Matt Campbell, Penn State's head coach, after James Franklin's departure.
Campbell and Rocco Becht, Penn State's quarterback, emphasize meeting standards for the program.
Becht says anything less than success is unacceptable for Penn State fans.
Under Franklin, the program posted a 104-45 record but did not reach playoff contention consistently.
The season opens against Marshall on September 5.

History

Historical Context

The Penn State child sex abuse scandal erupted in 2011 when former coach Jerry Sandusky was indicted for abusing minors, leading to the firing of Coach Joe Paterno and the resignation of President Graham Spanier. In 2012, the NCAA imposed severe sanctions, including a $60 million fine. The hiring of Coach Matt Campbell in 2026 reflects ongoing efforts to restore the football program's reputation and competitiveness.

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Story summary

Penn State hired Matt Campbell, Penn State's head coach, after James Franklin's departure.
Campbell and Rocco Becht, Penn State's quarterback, emphasize meeting standards for the program.
Becht says anything less than success is unacceptable for Penn State fans.
Under Franklin, the program posted a 104-45 record but did not reach playoff contention consistently.
The season opens against Marshall on September 5.

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