Penn State coach Matt Campbell prioritizes culture and leadership

Penn State head coach Matt Campbell is focusing on program culture and leadership as he prepares for his first season with the Nittany Lions. A key component of this strategy involves bringing in former players to mentor the current roster.

Michael Mauti, a former All-American linebacker who helped stabilize the program during the 2012 NCAA sanctions, has been hired as the new director of engagement for Penn State football. Campbell highlighted the importance of having Mauti and Jordan Hill—the latter serving as director of the Penn State Letterman's Club—available to the players to provide historical context and leadership.

Campbell noted that navigating the modern college football landscape, including the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations, requires a strong foundation of standards and expectations. He emphasized the need to align the program around a unified value system to ensure long-term success despite the evolving regulatory environment.