Terry Smith, players talking about their Penn State football futures beyond Michigan State
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The conversations have already started about the highly-unknown next Penn State football season in the middle of this one.
While these Nittany Lions must figure out how to break an epic, six-game losing streak at Michigan State Saturday, they also are looking ahead to their futures beyond the final regular-season game in three weeks.
Penn State is still searching for a new, long-term head coach who will expect to bring in a new staff and new offense and defense.
Which Nittany Lions players will return for the 2026 season? What will interim head coach and Penn State alum Terry Smith do?
The talk has begun with at least three games still to play, Smith confirmed during his weekly Monday press conference. It seems likely that athletic director Pat Kraft and Penn State officials will hire a head coach from outside the current staff, one who expects to bring in assistants he’s worked with and players he’s coached.
“We have real conversations. James (Franklin) used to say I’m the truth-teller in the building,” Smith said. “So when the guys come up and ask me about my future, the truth is, I don’t know. I’m just like them, I don’t know. No one’s given me confirmation to say, ‘Hey, you’re going to be here’ (next season).
“Again, we live in the moment. … I love Penn State. I would examine any position to stay at Penn State, but my concern right now is how do we beat Michigan State.”
Smith would figure to be one of the top coaches on staff to be offered a position with a new staff, considering his long ties to Penn State (a captain and standout receiver under Joe Paterno; an assistant for all 12 seasons under Franklin), his success as a position coach and his abilities as the interim leader.
His players are another story. Each one who retains eligibility for the 2026 season will be able to leave, via the transfer portal, in January or upon the hiring of a new head coach.
How many will stay in State College?
Will Koby Howard, Chaz Coleman play Penn State football in 2026?
All eyes will be on the most promising, youngest players, from quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer to receivers Koby Howard and Tyseer Denmark, from defensive backs Daryus Dixon and DeJuan Lane to defensive ends Chaz Coleman and Yvan Kemajou. All own multiple years of college eligibility.
Will potential captains like linebacker Tony Rojas, offensive lineman Cooper Cousins and tight end Luke Reynolds stay?
“I’ve had conversations with some players, just talking about the future and what they’re plans are,” Smith said. “Essentially, the consensus right now is wait-and-see. We don’t know. It depends on who this new head coach is, and then decisions are going to be made from there.”
“Whoever that that coach is … what type of defense is he going to bring in, what type of offense is he going to bring in? Does it fit these kids? We’ll see how it all turns out.”
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Where will Terry Smith, these Penn State football players be in 2026?
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