Penn State has been the center of a whirlwind of noise around its 2025 season, following disastrous results on the gridiron.
Such results led the administration to change coaches at the midpoint of the season. Following a third straight loss, James Franklin exited Happy Valley with a $50 million buyout, and longtime assistant Terry Smith stepped in as interim.
Smith played for the Nittany Lions from 1987 to 1991 and has top-20 career figures in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Despite his extensive knowledge on the field, Smith was limited to assistant roles throughout his coaching career. His only prior head-coaching experience is at the high school level.
With this special connection and opportunity for Smith, he reflected on the chance to boss the Nittany Lions, including the one he has right now as interim.
"I love Penn State," Smith said. "Any opportunity that would present itself, I would pray on it, and I would entertain the opportunity to always stay here."
Even though he has a connection to the Nittany Lions, he still has freedom in leading the team. Smith has extensive knowledge of the team — over a decade of experience — and doesn't have heavy expectations weighing him down for the remainder of the 2025 season. He already proved he can rally a depressing locker room and shun outside drama from the team's sight.
The program needs a leader. In times of uncertainty, Smith is weathering the storm even if Penn State isn't winning football games. He embraces the chaos, seizes the reigns, and is focused on the present moment above anything else.
"We just don't know what's next. So, I'm grounded in my feet right now, and my job is to lead this team the rest of this season."
Penn State lost to the Buckeyes, and the game will mainly be remembered as a defeat, but there were some positives, especially in the first half.
At that point, Smith's unit had fought hard against the defending national champions, playing an unpredictable style of football that differed from Franklin's typical approach. Out of halftime, though, Ohio State's expert coach, Ryan Day, adjusted his game plan at halftime and overwhelmed Penn State with its passing offense.
Just like the aftermath of Franklin's firing and the following loss to Iowa before the bye week, Smith is helping the team salvage any and all good from the season. The blue and white are still a talented roster, and Smith is an excellent figure for the program who found his way into the helm unexpectedly.
He already showed that he embodies all the values necessary for the program's progress. Although doubts about his coaching ability still exist, he should leverage this talented group, which gives Smith the chance to address concerns about his inexperience by working with some of the best players in the country.
If successful, he and the program can maintain their partnership, allowing Smith to contribute his strong voice, which is necessary for perseverance. How his team concludes this season will definitively define his role, which he evidently values highly, but his leadership cannot be understated.
With a head coaching vacancy in Happy Valley that has caused a lot of unease, Smith is likely to throw his hat in the ring and pull out any and all the stops to remain with his alma mater.