Matt Campbell Hot Seat: Top 5 Candidates Who Can Replace Penn State HC If Nittany Lions Make Mid-Season Decision Ft. Luke Huard

Matt Campbell’s Nittany Lions were dealt another harsh blow in the wake of the team’s 31-23 loss to USC on Saturday. The loss has Penn State on a three-game losing streak, seemingly putting the team’s chances of making a run in the playoffs on life support. The Nittany Lions are a proud organization with a recent history of success, so patience might be wearing thin.

If Campbell is given his walking papers before the end of the season, the team would need to figure out a successor in short order. Here’s a look at some names that could be on the table to kick-start the next era.

5 Most Likely Replacements for Matt Campbell if Nittany Lions Move On

#5 – Brent Venables

Lane Kiffin didn’t wait until after the season to switch teams last year, so one’s status as an employed coach does not exclude them from being a candidate. Brent Venables’ Oklahoma Sooners have been underwhelming after falling out of the top 25 earlier this season.

If Venables feels the walls closing in, he might need to find a pivot before he suffers a public removal. The Nittany Lions could be one possible option to avoid that scene. If he is removed this year, he could still find himself as a top candidate for Penn State. Overall, Venables could give the Nittany Lions the ability to build something new and give himself a fresh start with two winning seasons in the last four years.

#4 – Luke Huard

The Nittany Lions came up short to the USC Trojans on Saturday, and teams often choose to pluck pieces from teams that beat them. Lincoln Riley is surely off the table, but his offensive coordinator Luke Huard could be hungry for a promotion. According to Trojans media, Huard mentored quarterback Jayden Maiava to a nation-leading 91.2 QBR.

Quarterbacks are foundational to any football team, so a quarterback whisperer could be a great option for Penn State.

#3 – Dan Lanning

Dan Lanning’s future with the Oregon Ducks is far from secure, with fans routinely calling for his job. At some point, the Ducks might bend under the pressure. If Lanning is removed before the end of the season, he might want to get as far from Oregon as possible. Penn State’s location on the other side of the country could be a logical choice.

Lanning’s run of four straight seasons with double-digit wins would give the Nittany Lions plenty of reason to consider him a top outside candidate.

Matt Campbell Hot Seat: Top 5

#2 – Justin Lustig

While big names and up-and-coming outsiders could be one route the team could take, the Nittany Lions could keep the hire internal. Special teams coordinator Justin Lustig has already spent time with offense and defense via his work on special teams. As such, plenty of players know and respect him.

Lustig would logically be cheaper than trying to lure in a top candidate. Regardless of whether an outsider eventually gets the long-term goal in 2027, Lustig is a top candidate to take over immediately as an interim candidate if Matt Campbell is let go before the end of the season.

#1 – Taylor Mouser

Taylor Mouser has experience working with star quarterback Brock Purdy (Penn State media), so he knows what works in the position. Under Mouser, Penn State’s offense has hovered between explosive and competitive in every game this season. Twice, the Nittany Lions scored 45+ points. They lost only one game by multiple scores. As such, with the offense seemingly in better shape than the defense, giving Mouser the reins makes sense.

As an internal hire, he could be the team’s interim coach if Matt Campbell exits early, which would give him the first shot at the job. Mouser wouldn’t have to move, and he is more likely to ask for less than a premium hire.

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