Overview
- Multiple reports identify USC assistant and former Nittany Lion D’Anton Lynn as the top choice for Penn State’s defensive coordinator, noting his quick turnarounds at UCLA and USC.
- Matt Campbell’s staff continues to take shape with reported hires of receivers coach Noah Pauley and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters, joining OC Taylor Mouser, OL coach Ryan Clanton, and secondary coach Deon Broomfield, with Terry Smith retained in a staff role.
- Staff turnover continues with Knowles confirmed to Tennessee, Phil Trautwein to Florida, Stan Drayton to South Carolina, and Ty Howle and Danny O’Brien to Virginia Tech, while several position roles remain to be finalized.
- Safety King Mack criticized the leak of a private meeting with AD Pat Kraft as evidence of poor team leadership; Kraft has apologized, and players say Campbell has set a clear buy‑in standard.
- Roster movement is mounting with opt‑outs and draft plans from Vega Ioane, Nick Singleton, Zakee Wheatley, and Zane Durant, CB Elliot Washington planning to enter the portal, the portal opening Jan. 2, and the 2026 quarterback choice still unsettled between Ethan Grunkemeyer, a possible Rocco Becht transfer, or other portal options.