Podcast Summary: Cover 3 College Football

Episode: 🚨 Report: Penn State Finalizing Deal With Matt Campbell To Become Head Coach | College Football

Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson & Tom Fornelli (Danny Kanell and Bud Elliott not present in this conversation)

Episode Overview

This special episode of the Cover 3 College Football podcast focuses on breaking news: Penn State is in the final stages of a deal to hire Iowa State’s Matt Campbell as head football coach. Chip Patterson and Tom Fornelli provide a comprehensive breakdown of the protracted coaching search, Campbell’s fit at Penn State, implications for both programs, and quick takes on the coaching carousel. The conversation draws from both hosts’ longstanding observations of Campbell and offers early projections for the 2026 season.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context: The Search & The Surprise Outcome

• Penn State’s search was long and bumpy: 54 days after James Franklin’s firing, the process was public and scrutinized, featuring many rumored candidates.

• Chip acknowledges the journey:
  "Penn State fans...it feels like it's been 84 years, but it's been 54 days. ...We get to say...Penn State is in the final stages of negotiation to hire Iowa State's Matt Campbell." (03:00)

• Tom on the process:
  “Wow, what a horrible process for a great result. And how do we let Penn State fall ass backwards into a good hire?” (03:15)

• Jokes about the reporting caution: Media are very careful about the language, given previous failed negotiations both for Penn State and for Matt Campbell in the past.

  "I have never seen so many reporters scared in my life with the way that they were phrasing it all day on Twitter..." (04:49)

2. Why Matt Campbell? What Does He Bring?

• Track Record at Iowa State:

  • Most successful ISU coach historically: 5 of 12 "8-win seasons" are Campbell’s, majority of AP Top 25 finishes, plus notable bowl wins.
  • Player development: Particularly strong with quarterbacks & wide receivers—an area Penn State has struggled with recently.

  “He did a very good job of developing a lot of players at Iowa State, but particularly he developed quarterbacks and wide receivers. And what has Penn State had trouble developing in these last few years? Quarterbacks and wide receivers.” (07:47) “Since 2019, he's had 15 players drafted...” (06:56)

• Recruiting Potential:

  • Tom points out that Campbell recruited under constraints at ISU, but should adapt to Penn State’s higher-profile recruiting landscape.
  • “Penn State kind of will sell itself...the fact that Matt Campbell hasn't...really [been able] to swim in those four and five-star waters...will [not] keep him from being able to do so at Penn State.” (06:56)

• Why Campbell leaves now:

  • Financial limitations in the Big 12: ISU facing a projected $147M deficit by 2031.

  “Now that we’re in an era where NIL and all that kind of stuff...there’s a very real chance that Iowa State’s just not going to be able to compete.” (08:22)

• "Missed his window" no more:

  • Campbell long viewed as a top candidate for big jobs; perhaps Penn State was always on “the list.”

3. Fit & Expectations at Penn State

Short-term Outlook:

• Roster challenges:

  • Recruiting class cratered after Franklin’s departure; expected player attrition.

  “As we detailed through the week, they are also losing a ton of the players that had us declaring them the number two team in the country and a Big Ten favorite.” (14:59)

• 2026 Season Prediction:

  • Realistic for fans: 8-4 seems reasonable, aiming higher ("not competing for a playoff spot next year" is OK).

  “I’m a really big Matt Campbell guy. I would have plenty of faith in that guy to get your program headed in the right direction in short order.” (16:16)

  • Penn State Schedule Analysis: Win projections range from 8–9 wins. (29:10–29:53)

Quarterback Situation:

• Rocco Becht possibility: Could follow Campbell from ISU to PSU; combo with incumbent Ethan Grunkemeyer desirable.

  “I would try to get both...” (16:36)

Transfer Portal & NIL Landscape

• Campbell is not expected to rely on “mercenary” transfers but will use the transfer portal strategically to fill holes.

  “The Matt Campbell culture probably is going to be developmental...trying to get a lot of good players in who are going to stay for a couple years.” (18:13)

• Overall, little change from the James Franklin model, but expectations are for Campbell to deliver in "big games." (19:19)

What is Success for Campbell at Penn State?

• Benchmarks: Playing for Big Ten title within 4–5 years, competing for CFP, beating Ohio State/Michigan/Oregon at least occasionally.

  "I think success for Matt Campbell is that he is playing in a Big Ten championship game within four or five years." (27:45)

• Developing QBs and Receivers: A core expectation discussed multiple times.

4. Iowa State After Campbell

• Potential coaching candidates:
  • Nathan Scheelhaase (current Rams pass game coordinator, former ISU OC)
  • Jason Candle, Matt Entz, Sean Lewis discussed as possible hires.
• ISU’s job profile: Fan base is strong, but the job is not considered “great” due to financial constraints.

  “Matt Campbell made this job look a lot easier than historically it has been.” (24:29)

• Projected record for 2026: 7-5, acknowledging many unknowns at QB and HC. (30:53)

5. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the process:
  “Matt Campbell and Penn State told everybody that they're getting married and did not book a venue.” — Chip (11:57)

• On how Campbell will approach the transfer portal:
  "They're not going to be like getting into bidding wars for five stars who are looking for another payday...I think you're going to see high school recruiting and development." — Tom (18:49)

• On Campbell’s “fit” and Penn State’s outlook:
  "Our friend Ty Hildebrandt...I think he said, man, if Matt Campbell attacks this job the way he attacks those hat brims, oh, man, it's gonna be great." — Chip (20:12)

6. Carousel & College Football Sidebars

• Some brief, lighthearted speculation on other potential coaching moves, including Lane Kiffin rumors and hot yoga studio preferences (31:41–32:18).

• Quick discussion about selection committee rankings impacting other teams (Iowa vs. James Madison, etc.)—circumstantial to the main topic.

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:00 | Transparency about real-time news and the “finalizing” of Matt Campbell’s hire | | 04:18 | Tom’s hedging—“Let us be the first to report that it did not happen…” (joking) | | 06:56 | Analysis of Campbell’s tenure/results at Iowa State | | 08:22 | ISU’s financial situation/why Campbell might leave now | | 10:21 | “How does Matt Campbell feel about being the 11th choice?” (and hosts’ reactions) | | 14:59 | Penn State’s recruiting/player attrition challenges | | 16:16 | Realistic expectations for 2026 season | | 16:36 | Rocco Becht vs. Grunkemeyer QB talk | | 18:13 | Matt Campbell’s likely approach to the transfer portal | | 20:12 | Ty Hildebrandt’s “hat brims” comment | | 23:17–25:45| Discussion of Iowa State’s future HC search | | 27:45 | “What is success for Matt Campbell at Penn State?” | | 29:10–29:53| Hosts’ game-by-game projections for PSU in 2026 | | 30:53 | ISU’s projected 2026 record | | 33:44 | Recap: “You’ve wound up with him [Campbell]” and final reflections |

Tone and Language

• Conversational, wry, and sometimes irreverent: Plenty of jokes about the marathon coaching search, the uncertainty of reports, and even “big brain” athletic director theories.
• Honest & Direct: Both hosts are frank about the shortcomings in the coaching search and the new realities for both Penn State and Iowa State.
• Analytical but lighthearted: Despite the depth of detail, the tone remains accessible, appealing to a broad CFB audience.

Conclusion

This Cover 3 emergency pod delivers a thorough first reaction to the imminent Matt Campbell hire at Penn State. The hosts combine sharp analysis (historical stats, recruiting realities) with a grounded outlook for the future. The consensus: Despite the chaotic process, Campbell is a strong fit and brings developmental chops, program-building steadiness, and optimism for Penn State’s ability to compete at the upper tier of the new Big Ten. Iowa State’s post-Campbell era will be defined by its ability to manage new financial constraints and maintain momentum in a tougher landscape.

Memorable Sign-off:
"This is probably where you should have been all along, but that’s where it is…” — Chip (39:04)

For More Reactions:

Catch their instant reactions to Championship Weekend games live at 11:30pm ET on Saturday.
Follow Chip Patterson (@chip_patterson) and Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) on Twitter for updates.