Penn State hired new head coach Matt Campbell after a disastrous 2025 season that saw the Nittany Lions fighting for a 6-6 record and non-playoff bowl game invitation.
While a huge number of players departed via the Transfer Portal, 2026 NFL Draft, or graduation, hiring Campbell wasn't, by definition, for a "rebuild." As CBS Sports put it, Penn State is in need of stability and elevation. The Nittany Lions are on the hunt for a national title, simply put.
With his hiring, Campbell inherited the group of returning Nittany Lions and more than enough NIL money to return the blue and white to the College Football Playoff. With quarterback Rocco Becht under center and an easy schedule in comparison to other Big Ten teams, that return teases to happen sooner rather than later.
However, overhyping Penn State burned fans before, so they should be wary to expect greatness instantly in year one with Campbell. In fact, CBS Sports is giving Campbell a lot of time to get the Nittany Lions where they want to be, especially when looking at what the expectations of the program were just one year ago.
"The Nittany Lions made [this move], expecting Campbell to elevate the program into the national-title conversation right away -- at least in the next few seasons. The Nittany Lions hired him to provide stability and close the gap nationally against some of the Big Ten's better-equipped competition. Campbell wasted little time rebuilding key positions through the portal with ample Iowa State talent, including experienced offensive line help, veteran defensive depth and proven playmakers capable of helping Penn State contend right away rather than endure a transition year," Brad Crawford of CBS Sports wrote.
"Campbell's first season will be judged less on long-term vision and more on whether these portal additions translate into wins against the league's heavyweights -- the exact hurdle Franklin's teams consistently struggled to clear."
CBS Sports gives Matt Campbell a four-year patience meter at Penn State
Crawford allotted Campbell a four-year timespan to bring Penn State back to the top of the college football world.
Though pieces are falling in place almost perfectly for year one, it's unrealistic to assume the Nittany Lions will be serious national title contenders. Right now, they're a reasonable top 15 team.
As Crawford explained, the purpose of year one, with the resources Campbell has, is to prove that the foundation he's creating can withstand Power Four pressure. It's hard to gauge if his offseason work can translate into a national title years down the line, but it's easy to see if he's going in the right direction.
So, while fans might be antsy for a CFP appearance and championship, it'll take more than one year of Campbell in charge to get there fully.
Finishing the 2026 season with a winning record and a clear path towards the Nittany Lions' ultimate goal will speak volumes to recruits, adding to Campbell's restructuring efforts more and more.
By the time Campbell is halfway through his contract, four seasons in, though, the blue and white need to be serious title contenders, if not champions.
Athletic director Pat Kraft didn't hire Campbell to get there in eight years. He hired him to get there as soon as possible and sustain that success.
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