Matt Campbell takes over as head coach at Penn State after James Franklin departs following a 7-6 season. He brings Taylor Mouser from Iowa State as offensive coordinator to take over play-calling duties. Quarterback Rocco Becht also follows Campbell after throwing 64 career touchdown passes, while running back Carson Hansen joins the backfield after averaging 87 rushing yards per game last season. Update (Oct. 14): James Peoples has emerged as another option in Penn State’s running back rotation alongside Hansen, giving the Nittany Lions a two-back approach. Iowa State’s Benjamin Brahmer, Chase Sowell, and Brett Eskildsen also come to the Nittany Lions after recording 37, 32, and 30 receptions, respectively, last season, giving Becht several familiar targets in the new offense. Anthony Donkoh is the lone returning starter on the offensive line after 11 starts last season, while Trevor Buhr joins the group after six starts.
D’Anton Lynn arrives from USC as defensive coordinator and inherits a unit that lost nine of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including its top four. UCLA transfer Keanu Williams and Ikenna Ezeogu bolster the defensive front after each made 12 starts last season. Update (Oct. 14): Defensive lineman Max Granville is reportedly out for the remainder of the 2026 season with an undisclosed injury, reducing Penn State’s depth along the defensive front. Kooper Ebel will lead the linebackers after starting 12 games for the Cyclones, while Tony Rojas returns after starting all four games he appeared in during an injury-shortened 2025 season. Caleb Bacon also strengthens the linebacker group after making 12 starts. The secondary returns Audavion Collins after making 13 starts and Zion Tracy after making nine. Marcus Neal Jr. adds to the secondary after making 12 starts, while Jamison Patton brings nine starts of experience. Jeremiah Cooper also joins the secondary after starting all four games he appeared in during 2025.
Justin Lustig returns for his third season as special teams coordinator. Ryan Barker is back at placekicker after connecting on 95 percent of his field-goal attempts last season, while Nathan Tiyce takes over at punter.
Penn State entered 2026 with extensive turnover following the coaching change, but Campbell brought several familiar, experienced players from Iowa State. Update (Oct. 14): The Nittany Lions are 3-3 after three straight losses, including a 31-23 defeat to USC. Offensive inconsistency and the adjustment to Campbell’s new system have contributed to the difficult start. Penn State returned only two of last season’s top eleven tacklers and just one offensive-line starter, while new additions supplied significant starting experience throughout the defense.