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The Big Ten is not just loaded with talent when it comes to the players it produces. There are also several elite coaches on the sideline as well. Some with championship pedigree, some with College Football Playoff experience, and some who are new to the best conference in college football, one being Penn State's own Matt Campbell. After a successful decade in Ames with Iowa State, he chose to join the Nittany Lions to lead a new era of the football program.
It might just be his reputation withe the Cyclones that sees him rank fifth in Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports' Big Ten coach rankings. Despite his newness to the Big Ten, Campbell was able to recruit well especially in the portal and as a result, completely revamped Penn State's roster. Fornelli seems to believe that Campbell's success with a smaller program will ultimately translate to future success.
"There were plenty of Power Four gigs that tried to lure Matt Campbell out of Ames over the years, and they all failed until Penn State came calling. Now the most successful coach in Iowa State history takes over a Penn State program that had plenty of wins under James Franklin but never broke through to elite status. Can Campbell get the Nittany Lions there? That remains to be seen, but there's no question the program is still home to one of the best coaches in the sport", Fornelli writes.
For Campbell, this year is all about establishing an identity for a program looking for direction again. After James Franklin's time with them came to an abrupt end, Campbell will be tasked with getting the Blue and White back to national relevance. Another reason many analysts believe that Campbell is the right man for the job could be the fact he gets an easy slate to start his career. He does not have to face the Big Three of Big Ten football for the past five years: Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana. While the Nittany Lions have three ranked games, none of those opponents are in the top 10 in the preseason polls.
This all sets up for Matt Campbell to have a smooth adjustment period to a new conference. It also helps that he was able to convince several of his former Iowa State players to join him in Happy Valley. QB Rocco Becht will take the reins of the offense, with fellow transfers Carson Hansen, Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen, and Benjamin Brahmer rounding out an offensive unit packed with potential.
On the defensive end, Marcus Neal Jr. and Jeremiah Cooper will hold down the back end, while Ikenna Ezeogu and Alijah Carnell will anchor things along the defensive front. While this team hasn't been tested by teams such as the ones they'll face this season, there's a reason Matt Campbell recruited them in the first place. It's that kind of trust and chemistry that could carry Campbell and Co. far this year.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Where Matt Campbell ranks in latest CBS Sports Big Ten coach rankings
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It might just be his reputation withe the Cyclones that sees him rank fifth in Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports' Big Ten coach rankings. Despite his newness to the Big Ten, Campbell was able to recruit well especially in the portal and as a result, completely revamped Penn State's roster. Fornelli seems to believe that Campbell's success with a smaller program will ultimately translate to future success.
"There were plenty of Power Four gigs that tried to lure Matt Campbell out of Ames over the years, and they all failed until Penn State came calling. Now the most successful coach in Iowa State history takes over a Penn State program that had plenty of wins under James Franklin but never broke through to elite status. Can Campbell get the Nittany Lions there? That remains to be seen, but there's no question the program is still home to one of the best coaches in the sport", Fornelli writes.
For Campbell, this year is all about establishing an identity for a program looking for direction again. After James Franklin's time with them came to an abrupt end, Campbell will be tasked with getting the Blue and White back to national relevance. Another reason many analysts believe that Campbell is the right man for the job could be the fact he gets an easy slate to start his career. He does not have to face the Big Three of Big Ten football for the past five years: Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana. While the Nittany Lions have three ranked games, none of those opponents are in the top 10 in the preseason polls.
This all sets up for Matt Campbell to have a smooth adjustment period to a new conference. It also helps that he was able to convince several of his former Iowa State players to join him in Happy Valley. QB Rocco Becht will take the reins of the offense, with fellow transfers Carson Hansen, Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen, and Benjamin Brahmer rounding out an offensive unit packed with potential.
On the defensive end, Marcus Neal Jr. and Jeremiah Cooper will hold down the back end, while Ikenna Ezeogu and Alijah Carnell will anchor things along the defensive front. While this team hasn't been tested by teams such as the ones they'll face this season, there's a reason Matt Campbell recruited them in the first place. It's that kind of trust and chemistry that could carry Campbell and Co. far this year.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Where Matt Campbell ranks in latest CBS Sports Big Ten coach rankings
Continue reading...
