Josh Pate Tells Penn State Fans What They're Getting In Matt Campbell | Critical of Search

Shortly after Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft fired head coach James Franklin, Blue White Illustrated had college football personality Josh Pate on the show to discuss the situation. After covering the history of Penn State and the coaching search to that point, Pate outlined what he thinks the next coach needs to be successful at Penn State. After listing off qualities, he gave a name.

“Matt Campbell’s always been that guy for me.”  

Roughly two months later, Kraft flew out to Ames, Iowa, to meet Campbell and offer him the job. Today, he’s the 17th head coach for Penn State football, and Pate is back on the BWI YouTube channel to take a well-earned victory lap. You can hear the entire 30-minute conversation embedded in the article above or on our YouTube Channel.

Be sure to subscribe to the BWI YouTube Channel so you don’t miss any special guest appearances, breaking news, or commitment announcements over the next several weeks and months as Campbell builds his staff and roster at Penn State.

Pate does not hold back on criticism over Penn State coaching search

While most of the interview discusses how Campbell will fit at Penn State and why this was such a great hire, Pate doesn’t hold back on criticism about how the search was handled by Kraft.

“Yeah, they circumnavigated the globe to find treasure in their own backyard, is the way that I described it. So now that it’s done and it’s in our rearview mirror, and we know who the hire is going to be. I personally am happy about the hire. Anyone up there who’s not eventually will be happy about the hire, because he’ll win games.”

Realted: Offensive line will be the biggest wildcard in Penn State team building for 2026

Pate also said that the reason he was so confident in suggesting Campbell is because he knew how well Campbell would fit the job and that Penn State was a position that Campbell would consider leaving Iowa State for, unlike other job offers he’s gotten in the past.

“The reason I threw Matt’s name out there is because I knew if this job was presented properly, if this search was handled the right way, he’d be a strong candidate. His name would be in the mix for it, and that certainly is not because, like you said, he was looking to leave.”

Check out the rest of the interview to hear what he had to say about the search, Campbell, and the next steps for Penn State.