playFinebaum: The Penn State coaching search is 'a disaster' (2:16)Heather Dinich and Paul Finebaum weigh in on Penn State still not having a coach in December after firing James Franklin in October. (2:16)Max OlsonDec 4, 2025, 08:08 PM ETCloseCovers the Big 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaFollow on XEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIowa State coach Matt Campbell has emerged as the focus of Penn State's head coaching search, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Penn State is in discussions with Campbell about its vacancy after initiating contact with him Wednesday. Both sides are early in the process, and any hire at Penn State will require additional steps and board approval. Penn State shifted its attention to other candidates after BYU coach Kalani Sitake chose to remain with the Cougars and agree to a long-term extension Tuesday. Penn State had also engaged at least three other candidates over the past few days, sources told ESPN. The hiring of Campbell, the winningest coach in Iowa State history, would bring an end to a search that has extended more than 50 days since Penn State fired longtime coach James Franklin on Oct.
