Matt Campbell didn’t have any previous ties to Happy Valley, but after arriving in December, it didn’t take him long to understand the value of tradition and history at a place like Penn State. Campbell has even called former players the program’s “superpower” at his first Big Ten Media Days this week in Chicago.
It’s a power that he continues to tap into. On Thursday, former All-Big Ten linebacker Michael Mauti officially joined his staff as “director of football engagement.” According to Lions247, which first reported the hire, Mauti “will be tasked with serving as a liaison between current players, key financial supporters of the program and members of the PSU Football Letterman's Club.”
Mauti is the ninth former Penn State letterman on Campbell’s inaugural staff, joining associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, assistant linebackers coach Dan Connor, recruiting assistant Steven Gonzalez, director of player development Jordan Hill, assistant cornerbacks coach Jordan Lucas, assistant defensive line coach DeOn’tae Pannell, and director of talent acquisition Alan Zemaitis.
Former All-Big Ten LB Michael Mauti hired as Penn State’s Director of Football Engagement
This hire doesn’t come completely out of nowhere. Since May 2024, Mauti has served as associate director of development for the Nittany Lion Club, the fundraising arm for all of Penn State athletics. Now, he’s simply moving over to work more closely with Campbell and the football program, presumably in a similar capacity.
Arriving at Penn State in 2008 under Joe Paterno and departing after the 2012 season, which he played under Bill O’Brien, Mauti helped Penn State navigate the most tumultuous time in its history. The transition from James Franklin to Matt Campbell was nothing compared to the unceremonious end of Paterno’s tenure amid the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Mauti was named the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2012, after recording 96 total tackles for Penn State, a career high.
A seventh-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2013 NFL Draft, Mauti then went on to play in the NFL until 2017. A Nittany Lion legacy, Mauti’s father, Rich, played wide receiver and running back at Penn State from 1974-76 before spending time in the NFL.
Mauti’s Penn State roots run about as deep as anyone, and Campbell is smart to lean on that. Some head coaches arrive at a program determined to do it their way, shunning tradition. At Iowa State, Campbell could do that. As far as tradition, the program had none. Penn State is much different, so he’s wise to adapt.
Whether it’s through garnering support in fundraising efforts or simply a long-standing institutional knowledge of the moving parts around State College, Penn State’s former players are a resource to Campbell. He views it that way, and so far, they’ve been happy to hop on board.
A hire like this is more than an appeal to the fanbase, though it’ll work in that capacity. It’s a coach being smart enough to recognize the resources he has at his disposal.
Add us as a preferred source on Google