Incoming Penn State head coach Matt Campbell isn't physically familiar with Happy Valley, but knows it all too well.
In his introductory press conference on Monday, Campbell got emotional thinking about his growing up and how prevalent the Nittany Lions were to his young career. Despite never stepping foot on campus, becoming the program's next head coach was not only a full circle moment, but a dream come true at that.
He spoke of his family and his grandparents who worked in Carmichaels, Penn. when he was growing up. Campbell talked about idols, coaches and players alike, that came out of Penn State and how one day he wanted to be like them.
"It's this full circle moment in my life, our family's life. This young boy that grew up in Mason, Ohio and all you heard about was Todd Blackledge and you understood his excellence and what he stood for and watched my father compete against him.
"To, man, spending so much of my childhood in Carmichaels, Penn. My great-grandfather who worked in the coal mines, my grandparents who worked in Carmichaels, Penn., and all you heard around those family discussions was coach Paterno and the toughness and the character of the Penn State football program.
"To the 16-year-old tight end who was starting to get recruited, and you couldn't stop watching No. 81, this Kyle Brady, and all you kept saying was 'Man, someday I want to be like that guy.'
"It's a dream come true for me. It's one of the greatest honors of my life. And I couldn't be more grateful to be here."
Campbell didn't have to meet anyone face-to-face or even come to campus to know how special the Nittany Lions were. With how important Penn State was in his upbringing, Campbell is determined to lead the team with dedication to the players and program, putting both above himself.
“If we were ever going to leave Iowa State, I wanted to go somewhere and I wanted to finish my career and I wanted to stand for something that’s bigger than Matt Campbell,” Campbell said. “It’s not about me, but about the players and representing something bigger than myself and I found that.”