Where things stand with Penn State’s first coaching staff under Matt Campbell
Penn State is in the midst of a transition from the 2025 coaching staff to the 2026 coaching staff, with plenty of moving parts.
Here’s everything we know about where coaches from the 2025 staff are going, who will coach in the bowl and who will be on new head coach Matt Campbell’s staff in 2026. Information is based on official announcements and multiple sources.
Offensive coordinator
- 2025 coach: Andy Kotelnicki
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Andy Kotelnicki
- 2026 coach: Taylor Mouser
This one is fairly straightforward. Kotelnicki will stay on through the bowl game and finish out his second year leading the offense before Mouser takes over after following Campbell from Iowa State, where he was also the offensive coordinator. Kotelnicki’s next landing spot is not yet know.
Defensive coordinator
- 2025 coach: Jim Knowles
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Anthony Poindexter
- 2026 coach: TBD
Probably the most important unknown left at this point is who will be leading the defense next season. Knowles is leaving for Tennessee, with Poindexter taking over his role temporarily. Campbell is expected to take his time on the hire.
One name that has popped up is USC defensive coordinator and PSU alum D’Anton Lynn. However, Lynn’s buyout is expected to be prohibitive and, as things stand, it is unlikely that he’s the pick. Campbell’s DC at Iowa State, Jon Heacock, is expected to be on staff in some role and could potentially be the DC, while there are other ISU assistants who could be involved in the discussion, too. More external candidates are also expected to be considered.
Quarterbacks coach
- 2025 coach: Danny O’Brien
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Trace McSorley
- 2026 coach: Jake Waters
Another straightforward one — O’Brien held the title this season, but is leaving for Virginia Tech. This season’s assistant quarterbacks coach will take his role for the bowl and Waters will take over after. It would not be a surprise if McSorley remains on staff next season as the assistant QBs coach.
Running backs coach
- 2025 coach: Stan Drayton
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Stan Drayton
- 2026 coach: TBD
Another vacancy on the staff for 2026. Drayton will stay on for the bowl game before heading off to South Carolina for next season. A few names have popped up, including former Virginia Tech running backs coach Elijah Brooks and Nebraska running backs coach E.J. Barthel, but this one is going to be a full search. It’s also worth monitoring if this is a spot where Campbell could shift a current coach around to in order to make everything work.
Wide receivers coach
- 2025 coach: Marques Hagans
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Marques Hagans
- 2026 coach: Noah Pauley
Having Pauley might be one of the biggest upgrades on staff. He’s one of the best coaches in the country at the position and is coming in at a position that has struggled mightily in recent years at Penn State. Hagans’ next stop is currently unknown.
Tight ends coach
- 2025 coach: Ty Howle
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Bill Queisert
- 2026 coach: Taylor Mouser
This one is simple, too. Howle is leaving to be the offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech under James Franklin, while Queisert will take over temporarily before Mouser coaches the position while being the offensive coordinator moving forward.
Offensive line coach
- 2025 coach: Phil Trautwein
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Phil Trautwein
- 2026 coach: Ryan Clanton
Clanton was one of the first additions to the staff that was announced, while Trautwein is sticking around before heading to Florida to coach the Gators’ offensive line.
Defensive line coach
- 2025 coach: Deion Barnes
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Deion Barnes
- 2026 coach: TBD
This one has a good chance of being one of the few spots where there is no change. Barnes is expected to remain on staff under Campbell, although there has not yet been an official announcement.
Linebackers coach
- 2025 coach: Dan Connor
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Dan Connor
- 2026 coach: TBD
Like Barnes, Connor is expected to stay but has not officially been announced as returning. He’s very well thought of in coaching circles and could be a defensive coordinator candidate in a couple years.
Cornerbacks coach
- 2025 coach: Terry Smith/Jordan Lucas
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Jordan Lucas
- 2026 coach: TBD
Smith coached corners until he became interim head coach and then Lucas took over. Smith will officially return as associate head coach in 2026, but the position he coaches has not been determined. It would make sense if he shifted back to coaching corners with Lucas staying on staff to assist him.
Safeties coach
- 2025 coach: Anthony Poindexter
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Anthony Poindexter
- 2026 coach: TBD/Deon Broomfield
Poindexter could move on to a new staff in 2026, although he’s well thought of at Penn State and there could be an effort to retain him in some role. Broomfield has been officially announced as joining the staff, but his role has not been determined. He coached safeties at Iowa State and is very highly thought of, like Connor, as a potential future defensive coordinator.
Special teams coordinator
- 2025 coach: Justin Lustig
- Pinstripe Bowl coach: Justin Lustig
- 2026 coach: TBD
Lustig is not expected back at Penn State, but his next stop is to be determined. It would not be surprising if Campbell does not have a dedicated special teams coordinator on staff.
