Matt Campbell hasn’t even coached his first game at Penn State, but the former Iowa State head coach is already finding himself in the middle of one of the most sensitive subjects surrounding the Nittany Lions football program.
And it has nothing to do with wins and losses.
As noted in a lengthy piece in USA Today, Campbell has made a noticeable effort to embrace the history of Penn State football, including the legacy of longtime head coach Joe Paterno. That approach is drawing attention because Campbell’s predecessors, Bill O’Brien and James Franklin, generally kept more distance between their programs and Paterno following the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
Since taking over at Penn State, Campbell has repeatedly referenced Paterno, reportedly keeps a photo of the legendary coach in his office and recently invited Paterno’s widow, Sue, to speak to the Nittany Lions. Paterno’s son, Jay, has also been around Campbell and the program.
The timing has made the subject even more prominent.
Joe Paterno’s New Experience Room
Penn State announced this week the opening of the Paterno Family Football Experience Room at Beaver Stadium, featuring memorabilia from Paterno’s decades with the program. It’s the university’s most significant recognition of Paterno within a Penn State athletic facility since his firing in 2011 and the removal of his statue the following year.
Campbell was asked about the exhibit Wednesday and made it clear he believes embracing Penn State’s history is important.
“I think from my end of it, it means the world to me to understand our history, to understand our past,” Campbell said.
It’s a complicated subject.
Paterno was never charged with a crime related to the Sandusky scandal and reported the allegations brought to him to university administrators. However, Paterno later acknowledged that, in hindsight, he wished he had done more. His handling of the situation has remained the central issue surrounding his legacy ever since.
For Campbell, it’s an interesting strategy as he begins one of the biggest jobs in college football.
The former Iowa State coach clearly isn’t running from Penn State’s past. He’s embracing it more openly than either of his two predecessors.
Whether that helps Campbell connect with a significant portion of the Penn State fan base, or creates an unnecessary controversy before he has even coached a game, remains to be seen.
Campbell makes his Penn State debut Saturday against Marshall.
