What Matt Campbell said at first Penn State football press conference

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The Matt Campbell era at Penn State football is officially underway.

The Nittany Lions‘ new head coach had his introductory press conference in State College, alongside AD Pat Kraft and university president Neeli Bendapudi. The former Iowa State head coach talked about his knowledge of Penn State and his plans for the program while addressing the peripherial factors of coaching staff, general manager and the resources of the program.

Here are the takeaways from Matt Campbell’s introductory press conference.

Why did Matt Campbell choose Penn State football?

Campbell was adamant that he did not want to be a coach that continually climbs the proverbial ladder to the next job. He prioritized family, which as an Ohio native, was an advantage to moving to State College.

“We’re two and a half hours away from home. To be able to have my father and my mother and my brother and my wife’s family be able to come be a part of this journey with me, that means a lot,” Campbell said.

He also was supportive of Kraft and Bendapudi, citing they want to be the best “for the right reasons.”

Matt Campbell’s connection to Penn State football’s Terry Smith

Terry Smith was already a well regarded Penn State alum before this season started. Now, he’s become a folk hero who was in contention to be his alma mater’s permanent head coach.

Although the program went with Campbell, the new head coach spoke highly of Smith, sharing how they both knew each other over the years.

“I got to meet Coach Smith during my time when he was the head football coach at Gateway High School and I was recruiting at the University of Toledo,” Campbell said. “Terry was always such an inspiring human to be around. I loved going to watch him interact with his players. We love to go recruit his players, because you knew if you got a great player from Terry you knew what they stood for, and it was bigger than just football.

“It’s been so awesome to watch his commitment to Penn State, to watch how he’s led this football program and football team through tough and trying times. It’s been rewarding. I know he’s the cornerstone of this program as a player, as a student athlete and now as an incredible football coach, and it is my honor to work hand in hand with Terry to build on this great foundation moving forward.

Smith is staying with Penn State as an associate head coach and possibly return to his position as cornerbacks coach.

Matt Campbell’s influence from Penn State football legends

Campbell, a Massillon, Oh. native, said he grew up listening to stories of Todd Blackledge, and the “toughness and character” of Penn State football under Joe Paterno.

He also referenced Kyle Brady as the player he wanted to model his game after; and he was teaching his sons about Courtney Brown and Kerry Collins.

The shared ties with Cael Sanderson and Iowa State

Sanderson is leading one of the greatest dynasties in the history of sports with Penn State wrestling, and like Campbell, he came to State College after leading the Cyclones.

“I can’t thank Cael enough. He spent 45 minutes with me on the phone two nights ago, and we talked about our similar journeys and similar paths,” Campbell said. “We’ve watched Cael from afar and talked about building excellence in a program the way Cael has, and to be out to be able to link arms with him, I couldn’t be more grateful. Cael, I really appreciate your time.”

How does Matt Campbell plan to recruit from high school and the transfer portal?

Campbell’s remarks indicate that he’ll have a balance of recruiting players out of high school and the transfer portal.

“I think one of the greatest reasons being here is you’re in the most fertile ground of excellence of high school football in a 6-8 hour radius,” Campbell said. “Everything will start with building high school football and continuing to do a great job in this state and our surrounding states. Nobody’s going to attack more than us.

He also highlighted the success Iowa State has had in the portal, most recently with wide receiver Jayden Higgins and offensive tackle Jalen Travis, both of whom are now in the NFL.

Moreover, he’s emphasized the importance of player development and how that’ll be the catalyst of future success.

“The flash of the stars is cool on signing day, but winning football games on Saturday is what we’re going to be about, and that’s development,” Campbell said. “And we’re going to have to be better than anybody in college football if we want to get where we want to go.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Top takeaways, from new Penn State football head coach Matt Campbell

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