Penn State football assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith was named as one of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association's Hall of Fame coaches. Seven coaches were inducted as the PSFCA's class of 2026.
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The PSFCA made its announcement on Feb. 2. The press release stated that the group of seven coaches represent "decades of excellence, leadership, and a profound commitment to the development of student-athletes across the Commonwealth."
“The PSFCA Coaches Hall of Fame represents the very soul of high school football in Pennsylvania,” PSFCA executive director Garry Cathell said, according to the press release. “This year’s inductees devoted their lives to shaping young people, building character, and upholding the values that make our game so meaningful. Their commitment extended far beyond the sidelines and left a lasting imprint on every student-athlete they coached.
“These seven coaches didn’t just win games – they changed lives. Through decades of leadership, mentorship, and service, they strengthened their schools and communities while setting a standard of excellence for generations to follow. It is a privilege to honor their extraordinary legacies with induction into the PSFCA Coaches Hall of Fame.”
Penn State football's Terry Smith named to Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Smith was named to the Hall of Fame alongside Eastern Lebanon County High School coach Mark Evans, Bellefonte High School coach Tom Gravish, Central Bucks East High School coach Larry Greene, Fox Chapel High School coach Tom Loughran, Littlestown High School coach Mike Lippy, and Erie Cathedral Preparatory School coach Mike Mischler.
During the 2025 season following Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin's firing, Smith took over a dreadful Nittany Lion season as interim head coach. He pieced the locker room back together and found Penn State's identity on and off the field, leading to a 6-6 overall record and a Pinstripe Bowl victory.
While it wasn't the season the blue and white anticipated, Smith redeemed any potential remaining. His players rallied around him and had his back when it came to the head coaching search. Nittany Lions, like linebacker Tony Rojas, made bold announcements that not only should Smith get a real opportunity at being the program's head coach full-time, but would stay (if eligible to return) if he were.
Smith's dedication and commitment to the program is unwavering, and the PSCFA's decision to include him in the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees is a no-brainer.