New Penn State coach Matt Campbell expected to retain Lions letterman Trace McSorley on first staff

New Penn State head coach Matt Campbell is currently expected to retain Lions letterman and current assistant quarterbacks coach Trace McSorley, On3’s Pete Nakos reports. It is not immediately clear if the program great and Virginia native will be the quarterbacks coach or an analyst who helps the passers. Either way, it looks like he will be sticking around State College for at least the 2026 season.

Campbell is currently in need of a quarterbacks coach. The assistant who held that title under James Franklin, Danny O’Brien, is taking the same job at Virginia Tech. McSorley worked under him during the 2025 season, of course. As of Sunday afternoon, Campbell’s Iowa State quarterbacks coach, Jake Waters, is not part of the group of coaches coming from Ames to State College.

“It’s been awesome having Trace in there with us,” O’Brien said back in April during spring practice. “I tell him this isn’t one of those things where because of a title I talk and then you talk after. We’re in this thing together. Our job is to get those guys better. So it’s anything he can add.

“He’s a great dude to be around, too. I’ve known him prior to making this hire when he was still in the NFL and him being around. It’s been seamless. The guys love him. Big help to the room.”

Added Penn State quarterback Drew Allar earlier this year:

“I’m really happy that he’s a part of our offensive staff. Now, he’s another resource for me. I’m going to continue to ask him questions, and he’s going to he’s been a great help for me already.”

A closer look at Matt Campbell’s Penn State staff

Campbell is working to build out his 2026 staff. We now know that McSorley will join Terry Smith as former Penn State coaches who will be sticking around for next year. Every other confirmed and/or reported hire, however, has come from outside of the program. Here is the most recent rundown:

Coaches

Taylor Mouser – offensive coordinator

Ryan Clanton – offensive line coach

Deon Broomfield – secondary; specifics TBD

Terry Smith – role TBD

Trace McSorley – role TBD

Off-field staff and analysts

Trent Slattenow – Director of Player Personnel, Football (Kenny Sanders holds this role at Penn State. Slattenow having this title does not guarantee Sanders will leave. He may get a new title/role. That decision appears to be one of the many Campbell has to make.

Greg Brabenec – Chief of Staff (Kevin Threlkel previously held this role before leaving PSU for Virginia Tech)

Aaron Hillmann – Sport Performance Manager (In Ames, he oversaw ISU’s strength and conditioning and nutrition efforts, per his school bio)

Reid Kagy – Head Strength and Conditioning Coach (He is expected to take over for Chuck Losey, who is expected to follow James Franklin to Virginia Tech.)

Brandon Pietrzyk – Assistant strength and conditioning coach (Spent last three seasons at Iowa State)

Recruiting and NIL staff

Derek Hoodjer – General manager

Jack Griffith – Recruiting/transfer portal