Penn State's Coaching Carousel: Why Terry Smith Didn't Get the Top Job
The firing of James Franklin six games into the season sent shockwaves through Penn State (https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/) and kicked off a 58-day search for his replacement. Despite being one of the first major Power Four openings, the Nittany Lions were left without a permanent head coach until Iowa State's Matt Campbell (https://www.on3.com/sites/cyclone-report/) was hired on December 5th.
During this coaching vacuum, a flurry of names were thrown around, from Alabama's Kalen DeBoer (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kalen-deboer-135577/) to Nebraska's Matt Rhule (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/matt-rhule-131152/). While many were mere rumors, some candidates, like Rhule, Indiana's Curt Cignetti (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/curt-cignetti-131110/), and BYU's Kalani Sitake (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/kalani-sitake-133985/), secured lucrative contract extensions simply by being linked to the Penn State job.
But here's where it gets interesting: amidst the speculation, longtime assistant and interim head coach Terry Smith (https://www.on3.com/rivals/coach/terry-smith-131093/) quietly led the team to a three-game winning streak, securing bowl eligibility. This late-season surge ignited a groundswell of support for Smith, particularly among current and former players. During a victory over Rutgers (https://www.on3.com/sites/the-knight-report/), players held up signs reading “Hire Terry Smith,” a testament to the respect he'd earned within the program. Even former PSU star Michael Robinson publicly advocated for Smith's promotion.
Smith, a Penn State alum who played under the legendary Joe Paterno (https://www.on3.com/rivals/joe-paterno-133120/), expressed gratitude for the support: “It means everything,” he said in late November (https://www.youtube.com/live/f06ud0X_1II). “The support from the lettermen, especially Michael Robinson, shows we're doing something right. We're building a culture of toughness and determination, and it's amazing to see the fans rallying behind us.”
Ultimately, Smith was retained as associate head coach under Campbell, but the question lingers: why wasn't he given more serious consideration for the top job? A Christmas Eve report from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Max Olson, and Eli Lederman (https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47369719/inside-penn-state-college-football-coaching-search) revealed Smith was one of five candidates who interviewed with athletic director Pat Kraft. However, the report cited his lack of FBS head coaching experience as the deciding factor.
And this is the part most people miss: Smith, despite his deep Penn State roots and impressive tenure as an assistant, had never led a collegiate program before his interim stint. Nicknamed “Superfly” during his playing days as a receiver, Smith has been a cornerstone of the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff since 2014, progressing from cornerbacks coach to assistant head coach in 2016 and finally associate head coach in 2021. His value was recognized by Campbell and Penn State, who reportedly made him college football’s highest-paid non-coordinator (https://www.on3.com/news/penn-state-make-terry-smith-highest-paid-non-coordinator-stay-matt-campbell-staff/) according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz (https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1997456319553618116).
So, was Penn State right to prioritize FBS head coaching experience over Smith's institutional knowledge and player support? Did they miss an opportunity to promote from within and build upon existing team chemistry? Or was their decision a prudent move to secure a proven leader? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
