Penn State football coaching staff tracker

Penn State's coaching staff is starting to come together for new head coach Matt Campbell, but there are still some key roles that need to be filled or ironed out. There are new names in place for the roles of offensive coordinator and a number of key positional coaching roles, but the Nittany Lions still need to confirm who will be calling the shots on defense and which former lettermen will remain on the staff moving forward.

As expected, a number of former assistants are making moves to Virginia Tech to join former head coach James Franklin wiht the Hokies, and Campbell has worked to bring in some of his trusted guys from Iowa State. Campbell isn't completely overhauling the staff with fresh blood, though, as some key staff members appear to be sticking around, including Terry Smith.

Here is a look at who is coming and who is leaving the Penn State coaching staff under new head coach Matt Campbell.

Associate Head Coach

• STAYING: Terry Smith

After serving half of the 2025 season as the interim head coach, Terry Smith will remain a key member of the new coaching staff. This is welcome news for Penn State fans who had been growing more vocal for Smith's candidacy for the head coaching job as the season came to a close. Smith's experience in the Penn State football program will serve Campbell well as he gets adjusted to the new surroundings.

Offensive Coordinator

• IN: Taylor Mouser
• OUT: Andy Kotelnicki

Penn State has added former Iowa State offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser to the Penn State coaching staff, where he will take the role previously filled by Andy Kotelnicki. Kotelnicki will continue calling the plays for the offense through the Pinstripe Bowl before officially parting ways with the Nittany Lions after two seasons in Happy Valley.

Defensive Coordinator - VACANT

• IN: Vacant
• OUT: Jim Knowles

After one season in Happy Valley, Jim Knowles is on his way out as defensive coordinator. Knowles will not join the program for the Pinstripe Bowl, leaving Penn State's defensive playcalling duties to be determined.

Matt Campbell is bringing his defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock, to Penn State, but it is unconfirmed at this time if it will be to fill the same role.

Special Teams Coordinator - VACANT

• IN: Vacant
• OUT: Justin Lustig

The future of Justin Lustig and the special teams coordinator role is still up in the air. Liustig is considered a favorite to join James Franklin at Virginia Tech in the same role. Special teams coordinator is not a position that was utilized at Iowa State under Matt Campbell, so there could be a new approach to special teams in Happy Valley in the works as well.

Quarterbacks Coach

• IN: Jake Waters
• OUT: Danny O'Brien

Matt Campbell is bringing Jake Waters with him to Penn State after serving as Iowa State's QB coach for the past two years. He replaces Danny O'Brien, who will be among the former Penn State assistants joining James Franklin at Virginia Tech.

It is also worth noting that assistant quarterbacks coach Trace McSorley is expected to return to the staff under Matt Campbell.

Running Backs Coach - VACANT

• IN: Vacant
• OUT: Stan Drayton

Former Penn State running backs coach Stan Drayton is on his way to the SEC to coach at South Carolina. Drayton will remain with the Nittany Lions through the Pinstripe Bowl before moving to South Carolina.

Wide Receivers Coach

• IN: Noah Pauley
• OUT: Marques Hagans

Former Iowa State receivers coach Noah Pauley will take over the same role with Penn State after following Matt Campbell to Penn State. His role will arguably be under the most scrutiny, given Penn State's consistent struggles to get consistent production out of the position over the years.

Pauley replaces Marques Hagans, who spent three seasons in the role with the Nittany Lions. It is unknown where Hagans will go from here at this time.

Tight Ends Coach

• IN: Taylor Mouser (offensive coordinator)
• OUT: Ty Howle

New offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser will take on the role of tight ends coach with the Nittany Lions, which he also did the past couple of seasons with Iowa State under Matt Campbell. Mouser fills the role previously held by Ty Howle, who will get a chance for an increased role as James Franklin's offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech following some great success working with tight ends at Penn State since 2021.

Offensive Line Coach

• IN: Ryan Clanton
• OUT: Phil Trautwein

Another former Iowa State staffer following Matt Campbell to Penn State will be new offensive line coach Ryan Clanton. He replaces Phil Trautwein, who is heading to the Florida Gators.

Defensive Line Coach - VACANT

• IN: Vacant
• OUT (?): Deion Barnes

There have been reports suggesting Matt Campbell is working to retain Deion Barnes on the coaching staff, with the expectation seemingly being that will be the case. If Barnes does stay, we'll just have to wait to confirm if he fills his current role on Campbell's staff. For now, officially, the role can be considered vacant, but that may change soon enough.

Linebackers Coach - VACANT

• IN: Vacant
• OUT (?): Dan Connor

Similar to the reports about potentially keeping Deion Barnes, current linebackers coach Dan Connor is another coach who may be staying with the program, according to reports. Again, this role can officially be considered vacant until we get a more official statement from Penn State regarding the linebackers coach position currently held by one of Penn State's top linebackers in program history.

Safeties Coach

• IN: Deon Broomfield
• OUT: Anthony Poindexter

Matt Campbell is bringing his safeties coach from Iowa State with him to join the Penn State staff with Deon Broomfield. Broomfield also holds the title of secondary defensive coordinator at Penn State after previously holding the defensive passing game coordinator position at Iowa State.

Broomfield will take over the role previously held by Anthony Poindexter. Poindexter's next role is to be determined.

Cornerbacks Coach

• IN: Deon Broomfield
• OUT: Terry Smith

Deon Broomfield will manage the coaching of both the safeties and the cornerbacks under the title of secondary defensive coordinator. As such, he seemingly takes over the position coaching role previously held by Terry Smith, who will remain on the staff as an assistant head coach. Smith's exact position role is to be confirmed, so it is still possible he will have some influence on the secondary.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State football coaching staff tracker: Who's in and who's out?