The stability of Matt Campbell’s inaugural coaching staff at Penn State lasted exactly 68 days.
On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers announced the hiring of Noah Pauley as their new Wide Receivers Coach. Pauley, who had served as Campbell’s Passing Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach at Iowa State before following him to State College in December, departs before coaching a single practice in Beaver Stadium.
He replaces Ryan Mahaffey in Green Bay and reunites with one of his greatest development success stories: Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, whom Pauley coached at North Dakota State.
The “Cyclical” Reality Hits Home
Matt Campbell spoke at his introductory press conference about the “cyclical nature” of college football, usually referring to roster management. But in the modern era, that cycle applies equally to the coaching carousel.
Pauley’s departure is a significant blow for two primary reasons:
- Recruiting Momentum: Pauley was instrumental in stabilizing the 2026 wide receiver class after the decommitment frenzy that followed James Franklin’s firing. His “Speed in Space” philosophy was a key selling point to the three transfer receivers brought in during the January window. Those players now face their second position coach in six weeks.
- The “Iowa State Model” Disruption: Campbell’s transition plan relied heavily on continuity. Bringing his trusted lieutenants (Mouser, Pauley, Heacock) was supposed to bypass the “getting to know you” phase of a Year 1 staff. Losing a Passing Game Coordinator—the architect of the aerial attack—forces a schematic reset just weeks before Spring Ball begins.
What’s Next?
Penn State must now hire its fifth wide receivers coach in four years (following Taylor Stubblefield, Marques Hagans, and the brief Pauley tenure). This instability at a position group that has historically underperformed (with the exception of Tyler Warren’s usage) is a critical concern.
Potential Candidates:
- Internal Promotion: Campbell could look to an analyst already in the building to maintain the install schedule.
- The “Air Raid” Connection: With Taylor Mouser staying as OC, expect the search to focus on coaches with strong spread/Air Raid backgrounds who can maximize the “Speed in Space” personnel Penn State has aggressively recruited.
For Campbell, this is the first unforeseen hurdle of his tenure. How quickly he fills this spot—and whether he can retain the receivers Pauley recruited—will be the first true test of his “Process” in State College.