Live updates: Terry Smith weekly press conference
Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith is meeting with reporters ahead of his Nittany Lions’ final game of the regular season on Saturday.
Follow our live updates, here:
Things learned about himself and the job
11/24/2025 11:28:50 AMContinues to learn patience. Continue to learn new things about the job. Keeps getting new gifts. People send random gifts to his house now. Right now as the head coach at Penn State University, it’s a big deal. This job is very busy. As an assistant, would always make comments to carry own bag off the bus. Now in that seat, someone else has to do it because as soon as off the bus, going to an interview. Just stuff happening that you don’t know. Busy role as the HC. Someone knocking on door every five minutes for something going on in the program. 70-80 people working in the building, and they all need something, and you have to be the answer.
Really enjoys it. You have to be very organized to be successful in this role because a lot of things can go over your head.
Andrew Rappleyea
11/24/2025 11:26:36 AMHe’s a rare talent. Big, strong, tough. What’s different with OL? He’s one of differencemakers. Run two and three TE sets and he’s a roadgrader. The definition of tough. He doesn’t know the end of the fight. When you see him out there, he’s very animated. He’s a big talker, but backs it up. Gives them an identity. Terry Smith tough, he’s the first guy in the line.
Policy for portal guys
11/24/2025 11:25:20 AMIn a different situation. In full support of locker room. Encouraging guys to keep an open mind. Important thing is to play hard Saturday, put on film what you want people to know about you. Difference this year is portal is later.
Offensive and defensive philosophies
11/24/2025 11:24:12 AMThis is his offense, and defense, and special teams. Can’t answer that question because grounded in the moment and making sure this team is efficient in what they’re doing right now. Likes how they played Saturday with balance. Almost equal pass and rush yards. Physical, attacking defense. Those are the things you’re looking for to be successful.
Tatsch and Arrington burning redshirts
11/24/2025 11:23:02 AMHave conversations with their families. In communication. Talked to Big LaVar, they’re fine with it. Tatsch and his family and high school coach. Everyone on the same page it’s the right thing to do. Open communication so good with it.
Inner circle
11/24/2025 11:22:10 AMHas that inside and out of the building. Not going to name them specifically. But has four or five people that the relationship is built on trust and truth. Even talking with Greg Kincaid and KP, asks them for the truth. When he leaves, they’ll evaluate what he said right and wrong, and not sugar coat it. Last week made two mistakes, didn’t answer one question and misspoke about home town. It’s the only way to get better and fix mistakes. By telling the truth and being honest. Has people talk to him every day, and encourages it. Can’t be a one-way street. Sometimes get animated as coaches and yelling at a kid and saying things that are reckless. Never intend to offend them, but if they do, need that feedback. Can then fix it and if he does it again, has a problem and needs to fix him. Just how you correct each other. Goal every day is to get better and be better.
Kaytron at Thanksgiving
11/24/2025 11:19:46 AMHe’s a man of very few words. Up until that point, would say hi in the building and he kept it moving. Then his nephew Tank on the team, running back with him, Kaytron didn’t have anywhere to go so drove him to Pittsburgh with them. Saw him with his whole family. Important to see coaches as role models with family and kids. From that day forward, they’ve been tight. Have a different relationship now. Believes in him. Fantastic kid. Fantastic player. But you learn people and it’s about relationships. Get to build amazing relationships with young people.
Receivers
11/24/2025 11:18:03 AMHappy with how pass game has evolved the past two games. Seems to be able to throw dig, the deep out, shots down the field. Just depending on those three calls, those are three different receivers with opportunities to catch the ball. Play-action to the tight end. Wants to be efficient and spread it out. Key is to be unpredictable. Saturday was most unpredictable they’ve been all season.
Ethan Grunkemeyer
11/24/2025 11:16:55 AMHe has played really, really well. Outstanding on Saturday. When you talk about 11 for 12, that’s not many attempts, but when you look at how the game played out, dominated the line of scrimmage and ran, and when they did throw it, was down the field for 181 yards. Per play, bigger than all year. Played outstanding. Two calls to throw it down the field and got pass interference. That doesn’t show up in stats. Good things happen for them. Ethan has really progressed. Between this game and Michigan State, really slingshotted a little. Looking forward to his week and closing season on a high note.
Conversations with James Franklin
11/24/2025 11:15:12 AMHas spoken to him every other day. Sometimes every day. Just picking his brain. James is very organized and structured. Something as simple as losing staff last week, how to reorganize. He’s been a mentor to bounce ideas off of. He’s been great. Wished luck before and congrats after.
What changed for him to advocate for himself
11/24/2025 11:14:03 AMIf he doesn’t speak for himself, who will?
Defensive improvement
11/24/2025 11:13:33 AMIt’s experience. The longer you do it, the better it gets. That experience accumulates. Have simplified things and slowed it down, took away some of the third and fourth options of what can happen on the defense. Allows guys to pin it back and go. Jim has done a really good job of minimizing calls in the game plan. That has allowed guys to accelerate and play better.
Offensive line performance
11/24/2025 11:12:20 AMPoint of emphasis to run the ball. Period.
Getting sixth win, seniors playing in a bowl
11/24/2025 11:11:14 AMThis is like a playoff game. Playing to get that extra game. Guys are excited to finish the year out. So far preparation has gone great. Energy still in the building. Yesterday was a reset day. Enjoyed Saturday night. Sunday rehashed it. Sunday night reset. Now they move forward and Rutgers is all that matters. This means everything to everyone in the building.
Would anticipate that guys will play. Sure there will be a one-off or two there. But has full anticipation guys will play.
Michael Robinson comments
11/24/2025 11:09:47 AMIt means everything. Support means they’re doing something right. Just trying to create a culture for team to play hard, play tough, and have fans get behind them and support them. Hopefully fans will show up this weekend at Rutgers. Tough because of holiday weekend, but come out.
Best candidate to be next Penn State head coach
11/24/2025 11:08:30 AMNo one knows Penn State better than him. Of all candidates out there, knows Penn State history and culture. Knows the locker room. Knows administration. Is a good leader. A leader of men. That will take care of itself when the time comes. Focus right now is having to beat Rutgers. Approached these last couple of weeks as playoff-type games. This is another one.
Different roles, staying at Penn State, raised hopes
11/24/2025 11:07:13 AMWill reiterate, loves Penn State. Open to any possibility of staying. Obviously would like to be the head coach. But this week, worried about Rutgers. Goal is to finish this season with three wins in a row. Get bowl eligible. Then prep for a bowl.
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