By Matt AudiletShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Penn State Nittany Lions are still without their next head coach as the 2025 college football coaching carousel continues to fall into place.
Despite parting ways with longtime program leader James Franklin early in the 2025 season, Penn State has yet to capitalize with a big-name coaching hire.
Athletic director Patrick Kraft and Penn State have struck out on several top coaching options, including big names like Lincoln Riley, Josh Heupel, Kalen DeBoer and Bob Chesney. The program was targeting BYU head coach Kalani Sitake as its top option as recently as Tuesday, but the Cougars' sideline leader has reportedly informed multiple sources of his intentions to stay put in Provo.
After the Sitake news, college football analyst Josh Pate took to social media with a strong critique of the Nittany Lions' coaching search.
Pate says Penn State should've aggressively pursued Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell instead of "chasing unicorns."
"Penn State should have targeted Matt Campbell weeks ago & instead opted to chase unicorns. What a disaster," Pate said.
"Iowa State football has existed 134 years...Campbell has them in the midst of the best 3-year run in program history His DNA blends perfectly with what PSU needs," the analyst continued. "How are you this blind?"
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More Football: Penn State Coaching Delay Tied to Serious Conflict: Report
Campbell has mounted a 72-55 overall record over his 10-year career with Iowa State. After last year's 11-3 record capped off by a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory, the Cyclones finished their 2025 regular season at 8-4.
Pate endorsed Campbell as a solid candidate for the Penn State job midway through November.
"Matt Campbell is a stud as a head coach," Pate said last month. "I think he is perfectly cut out for the Penn State job. The edge, the grit, the attention to detail, the different way you have to sell Penn State... Everything you would want in a Penn State coach, he has."
...More Football: Mark Stoops Breaks Silence After Kentucky’s New Head Coaching Hire
With top coaching options quickly dwindling, Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm and Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline have emerged as the Nittany Lions' top remaining options.
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