Since landing in Happy Valley, Penn State football head coach Matt Campbell has prioritized relationship and culture building from staff to players and recruits alike. He has brought past Nittany Lions and legends back to speak to current players, visited former teammates and colleagues, and worked on maintaining relationships with recent Penn Staters who have gone on to the next level even if he didn't coach them himself.
Even in recruitment, Campbell has taken a unique approach that has stood out to targets and commits. The relationships he and his staff have built with these young players speaks volumes and is a recurring reason why prospects choose the blue and white come decision day.
This isn't a new approach to Campbell's coaching style. It is something that has been a part of his leadership since starting his coaching career.
Looking at his most recent stop at Iowa State, he has left an impact on his former staff members. Four of his on-field assistants, in fact, followed him from the Cyclones: offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Taylor Mouser, offensive line coach Ryan Clanton, secondary coach Deon Broomfield, and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters. That's not the mention the support staff Campbell brought over from Ames, Iowa.
Even beyond those who stuck with him, Campbell continues leaving a lasting impact on coaches no matter where they end up. For Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, Campbell is still one of the two coaches that come to mind as most influential to his coaching style.
"I believe in relationships. I believe that's the only way to lead people well . . . You got to know them, you got to be in it with them, and I wouldn't know any other way than to build relationships with our players with our staff to be able to lead alongside them," Scheelhaase told reporters.
"I think having that 'Nose down, go to work' mentality [and] find[ing] a way to make an impact has always been a calling card of mine; and I've learned that from the people that I've been around. Spending six years with Matt Campbell at Iowa State was largely impactful to who I am as a coach."
Leadership style based off relationships. pic.twitter.com/KPPDdMQimK
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 8, 2026
After his three-year stint at Illinois, Scheehaase joined Campbell's staff at Iowa State in 2018. He started out as his running backs coach and transitioned to the Cyclones' wide receiver coach after a season. Scheelhaase added run game coordinator and running backs coach to his title before he was promoted to offensive coordinator before the start of the 2023 season.
In February 2024, Scheelhaase left Iowa State for the Rams, starting out as their pass game specialist and offensive assistant. Two years later, he was promoted to Los Angeles' offensive coordinator.
Alongside Campbell, Scheelhaase also called out Rams head coach Sean McVay in his media availability, specifically commenting on the relationship building and leadership style as it translates to the NFL.
"Those two have been the impacts," Scheelhaase said of Campbell and McVay. "Relationships and hard work [are] . . . my calling cards of what I got . . . you feel like you get to lead out of your true self in that way."
Being named alongside an NFL head coach is huge praise for Campbell as he jumps from the Big 12 to the Big 10 in 2026. That jump, though, hasn't changed how he goes about coaching and strengthening a program. Based on Scheelhaase's comments, there isn't much Campbell needs to adjust to succeed at Penn State.
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