Penn State’s fall from national contender to rock bottom in 2025 was a shock to the college football world. After years of dominance and success, the Lions found themselves at the bottom of the standings, facing a long and difficult road to redemption. But amidst the chaos and disappointment, a new leader emerged – Matt Campbell.
Campbell, a rising star in the coaching world, was hired to take on the daunting task of rebuilding the once-proud Penn State program. With a proven track record of turning struggling teams into winners, Campbell was seen as the perfect fit for the job. And as the 2026 season approaches, all eyes are on him to see if he can live up to the high expectations set by the Penn State faithful.
However, Campbell’s job is not an easy one. The Lions are facing a significant roster churn, with many key players leaving for the NFL or transferring to other schools. This means that Campbell will have to rely on a young and inexperienced team to compete in the tough Big Ten conference. But despite this challenge, one PSU alum is confident that Campbell can lead the team to success.
Speaking to EssentiallySports, former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley issued a warning to the team’s fans. “The next season is going to be tough,” McSorley said. “There’s no denying that. But I have full faith in Coach Campbell and his ability to turn things around. He’s a great leader and motivator, and I know he’ll get the best out of his players.”
McSorley, who had a successful career at Penn State and is now playing in the NFL, knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity. He was part of the team that faced sanctions and a coaching change in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. But through it all, he and his teammates never lost faith and went on to have a successful season under new head coach James Franklin.
And that’s exactly what McSorley sees happening with Campbell at the helm. Despite the challenges, he believes that the Lions have a favorable schedule that can help them make a run for the postseason. “The key for this team will be to take it one game at a time,” McSorley said. “They can’t afford to look too far ahead and get overwhelmed by the pressure. But if they focus on each game and play to their potential, I have no doubt they can make it to a bowl game.”
But it’s not just about the wins and losses for McSorley. He also wants to see the team play with the same passion and pride that he and his teammates did during their time at Penn State. “I want to see the team play with heart and determination,” he said. “That’s what Penn State football is all about – never giving up and always fighting until the very end.”
As the pressure mounts on Campbell, he remains focused and determined to bring Penn State back to its former glory. He knows that he has a tough task ahead of him, but he also knows that he has the support of the entire Penn State community behind him.
So as the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Matt Campbell and the Penn State Lions. Will they be able to overcome the challenges and make it back to the top? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure – with a leader like Campbell and the support of loyal alumni like Trace McSorley, the future looks bright for Penn State football.