The college football offseason hasn't even officially started yet. Still, across all Power Five and Group of Five conferences, there is already massive movement in both player and coaching personnel.
This trend hits home for those in Happy Valley, where Penn State football already experienced both types of moves, including coordinator and position-group coaching departures.
Both coordinators are gone, as head coach Matt Campbell opted not to retain either defensive coordinator Jim Knowles or offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
Even within the position groups, former head coach James Franklin already purged many staff members for his new gig at Virginia Tech. Both coaches on each side of the trenches, Deion Barnes and Phil Trautwein, also moved to new gigs in the SEC, with South Carolina and Florida, respectively.
While this is only slightly concerning, as Campbell already filled most of these roles, questions remain about what will happen with the third unit, especially with special teams coach Justin Lustig.
On Thursday, Jan. 1, that question was answered.
Special Teams Coordinator Justin Lustig will remain on Matt Campbell's staff in 2026, according to a report from @Lions247.
— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) December 30, 2025
In two years at Penn State, Lustig has coached six Nittany Lions to Big Ten honors.
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Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig set to return to Penn State on Matt Campbell's staff
Lustig signed with the blue and white in January 2024 as their special teams coordinator, outside linebackers coach, and nickelback coach. During his tenure, the Nittany Lions experienced a rejuvenation, particularly in the special teams unit.
The Erie, Penn. native coached six players to Big Ten team honors at Penn State, and in 2025, the special teams unit became one of the few bright spots. Punter Gabriel Nwosu broke out with his booming leg, posting statistics that rank in the top half of the conference in most categories, and Ryan Barker only missed one field goal all season.
It's a significant boost to have such an accomplished and experienced coach back at the helm of a new staff, as Lustig coached for 25 years.
The return game for Penn State had flashes, such as King Mack's season-long 73-yard return, but matched the subpar season in Happy Valley. Devonte Ross' lone punt return stood as the only return touchdown in 2025, and ultimately, both punt returning and kick returning season averages stood in the bottom half of the conference.
In 2026, Lustig has an opportunity to run it back for Penn State and turn those pockets of success into long-term stability. While his unit faces several departures, it also adds several key players.
Next season, freshman Lucas Tenbrock, a six-foot-six-inch, 220-pound punter joins the squad. Tenbrock is the No. 6 player of his position, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
The departures for the special teams unit undoubtedly come from the struggling returning unit. Still, Penn State contains no shortage of fast-twitch, speedy players, ready to step up if willing to run it back with Lustig and Campbell next season.