On Friday, news broke that Penn State football is working towards a deal with Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell to make Campbell the next head coach of the Nittany Lions. Campbell has been the Cyclones’ head coach for the last 10 seasons, compiling a 72-55 record and an overall 107-70 record as a head coach. This is a consequential move for USC and Trojan fans, particularly considering Campbell was a primary candidate to become USC’s head coach after Clay Helton’s firing in 2021, before Lincoln Riley was ultimately selected. Now, Riley and Campbell will be direct rivals, with a scheduled matchup set for 2026.
How Close Was Campbell to Becoming USC Coach?
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy may have a better understanding of Campbell’s close offer to USC than anyone. Back in July, Purdy revealed to hosts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton on the *Bussin’ With the Boys* podcast that Campbell had an offer to become USC’s head coach before Lincoln Riley was selected. Purdy believes Campbell seriously considered the offer, but a conversation he had with Campbell helped sway Campbell to remain at Iowa State.
“I think USC offered him something legit, before Lincoln Riley,” Purdy said. “When they offered him some stuff, he was deciding on whether to go. So after that he was crying and we were all going through it emotionally, but after that he decided ‘I’m going to stay at Iowa State.’ I’m not saying I was the determining factor in that, but I think just gave him a little perspective on being a father, what matters, raising your kids. He could do that at Iowa State.”
USC-Penn State in 2026: A Timeline Trap for Lincoln Riley
Four seasons later, Riley is embarking on his fifth season at USC, while Campbell appears headed to Happy Valley for his first season. These two teams play in 2026, and for all intents and purposes, it would be an embarrassment for Riley if USC loses. In 2021, USC was coming off a 4-8 season, including a 3-6 conference record. In 2026, Penn State will be coming off a 6-6 record, also with a 3-6 conference record. Penn State is currently in the cellar of the Big Ten, mirroring USC’s position in 2021. If Campbell’s product is directly better than Riley’s in year five at USC and he proves it on the football field, that would not only demonstrate Campbell’s current success but also raise questions about what Riley could have achieved with USC in 2021.
Campbell’s Time at Iowa State Since 2022 vs. Riley’s at USC
Since Campbell remained at Iowa State and Riley was hired, Campbell has gone 30-21, while Riley has gone 35-17. Both coaches have one conference championship game appearance, and Riley has 4 bowl appearances and 2 bowl wins, with the potential for a third this month. Campbell has 3 bowl appearances and 1 bowl win. While Campbell’s success since 2022 has not surpassed Riley’s at USC, it’s important to note the inherent differences in resources available to each program.
Could Penn State Game Make or Break Lincoln Riley?
We don’t know when USC and Penn State will play, nor do we know each team’s record. However, the scheduled 2026 matchup is significant. Losses to Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, or Notre Dame would present excuses for Lincoln Riley, while a loss to Penn State would likely be seen as direct evidence of a flawed coaching decision in 2021.
Other Coaching Matchups
The Riley-Campbell matchup is not the only factor in Riley’s legacy in 2026. Riley will face Matt Entz (former USC assistant), Dan Lanning (hired the same year as Riley and with a 2-0 record against the Trojans since), Curt Cignetti (hired after Riley and with a smaller contract), Bob Chesney (potentially the next Cignetti), and perhaps even Marcus Freeman (who became the head coach the same year as Riley, with USC at 0-2 in its last two meetings against Notre Dame). This season represents a significant test for Riley.
The Bright Side
Despite the potential pitfalls, the prospect of a season rich in narratives, such as USC’s, also presents opportunities. A victory over Penn State wouldn’t just be a win; it would be a testament to Riley’s ability to overcome adversity. Conversely, a loss would still allow for reflection and adjustment.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Matt Campbell is next coach for Penn State football, will face USC.
Fuente: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/matt-campbell-news-lincoln-riley-163610201.html