“Football is Cyclical”

Matt Campbell stood at the podium on Wednesday not as a coach defending a ranking, but as a builder explaining a blueprint.

Addressing the media after finalizing his first Penn State class, Campbell offered a philosophical take on the program’s massive overhaul.

On Adaptability

“You just had to grow and adapt,” Campbell said, reflecting on the chaotic two-month sprint since his hiring. “Football is cyclical. It always is going to be.”

This quote underlines his approach: programs rise and fall, rosters turnover, but the core principles of the game remain. He isn’t trying to replicate the past decade of Penn State football; he’s starting a new cycle.

The “Energy Giver”

Perhaps the most telling comment was reserved for his new Defensive Line Coach, Ikaika Malloe. Campbell described him as an “energy giver” who “fills this room with unbelievable energy.”

In a season that promises to be a grind, surrounding the program with “energy givers” rather than “energy vampires” (a Campbell staple) was a deliberate priority in staff assembly.

”Defend Everything”

When asked about his defensive philosophy with the new roster, Campbell kept it simple yet expansive: “Defend everything.” It’s a broad mandate, but one that aligns with the versatility he prioritized in late signees like Elijah Reeder and Jackson Ford.

The message from Wednesday was clear: The tear-down is over. The build has begun.