On October 12, 2025, Terry Smith didn’t want the job. But within hours of James Franklin’s dismissal, the Penn State defensive backs coach and associate head coach found himself thrust into the most challenging position in college football: interim head coach of one of the sport’s most prestigious programs in absolute crisis mode.
Just 24 hours earlier, Penn State had fallen to 0-3 in Big Ten play. Their starting quarterback was injured. Their season was imploding. And their head coach of 12 years was being handed a pink slip.
Now it was Terry Smith’s turn to try to stop the bleeding.
From Role Player to Head Coach
Terry Smith’s path to Penn State’s interim head coaching position is unconventional, but his credentials as a former Nittany Lion give him credibility that some interim coaches lack.
Playing Career:
- Years: 1987-1991
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Status: Three-year starter
- Career Statistics: 108 receptions, 1,825 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns (tied for 12th in program history for TDs)
Smith was a respected receiver during his time at Penn State, a player who earned the opportunity to start for three consecutive seasons. He knows what it takes to succeed at the program and understands the expectations and traditions.
Coaching Trajectory:
- Hempfield High School: Assistant coach
- Duquesne University: Passing game coordinator
- Gateway High School: Wide receivers coach → Head coach → Athletic director
- Temple University: Wide receivers coach
- Penn State: Cornerbacks coach, Defensive recruiting coordinator, Associate head coach
Smith’s coaching journey demonstrates someone who has built relationships at multiple levels and understands both offensive and defensive systems despite specializing in the secondary.
The Job He Never Wanted
By all accounts, Smith never envisioned himself as a head coach at a Power 4 program. He was content in his role as cornerbacks coach—a respected position where he could develop defensive backs and contribute to team success without bearing the ultimate responsibility.
But Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft didn’t have many options, and Smith’s status as a former player gave him the legitimacy needed during a crisis.
Smith’s first press conference struck a tone of humility and realism. His message to players: “We will fight together.”
It was neither revolutionary nor inspiring, but it was authentic. Smith wasn’t trying to be James Franklin. He was being himself—a coach who understood the gravity of the situation and was committed to stability over flash.
The Challenge Before Him
Taking over a program that’s 3-4 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten play with five games remaining, Smith faces an almost insurmountable challenge:
1. Salvaging Bowl Eligibility
Penn State needs to win three of its final five games to reach 6-6 and secure bowl eligibility. The remaining schedule is brutal:
- vs. No. 1 Ohio State (Home) - Strong favorite against Ohio State
- vs. No. 2 Indiana (Home) - Strong favorite against Indiana
- @ Michigan State (Away)
- @ Nebraska (Home)
- @ Rutgers (Away)
Realistic Path: If Penn State can scrape out wins against Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers, they make a bowl game at 6-6. The chances of beating Ohio State or Indiana are minuscule.
2. Stabilizing a Redshirt Freshman Quarterback
Ethan Grunkemeyer is a talented prospect, but he was never supposed to be a full-time starter in October. Smith’s job is to put Grunkemeyer in positions where he can succeed rather than asking him to carry the team.
The game plan needs to be simplified, the running game emphasized, and the expectations tempered. Grunkemeyer needs time to grow, not immediate heroics.
3. Keeping Recruits in the Fold
Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class is already suffering. Four-star QB Troy Huhn decommitted in the chaos. Other top-tier recruits are reconsidering their commitments with a program in transition.
Smith’s job is to convince recruits that Penn State’s problems are temporary and that stability is being restored. That’s an incredibly difficult task when you’re an interim coach with no guarantee of keeping the job long-term.
4. Maintaining Team Morale
A team that’s lost four straight and fired its coach is hanging by a thread emotionally. Smith needs to restore belief without being dishonest about the current situation.
Smith’s Coaching Philosophy
From his time at Temple and his observations of the defensive side of the ball, Smith appears to favor:
- Defensive-minded football: Relying on the defense to keep games close
- Ball control offense: Emphasizing the running game and limiting mistakes
- Field position: Relying on special teams and defense to create opportunities
- Simplicity: Not overcomplicating things for players already overwhelmed
This is sound philosophy for a team in crisis, but it’s not flashy enough to generate excitement about the future.
The First Three Games: Not Quite Enough
Smith’s first three games (all losses) have told us several things:
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Against Iowa (25-24 Loss): Grunkemeyer showed promise in his debut with accurate throws, but the team still couldn’t close out a winnable game. Iowa scored the go-ahead touchdown with 3:54 remaining, and Penn State couldn’t answer.
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Coaching Philosophy: Smith is emphasizing defensive stability and ball control. The approach is sound but hasn’t generated immediate results.
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Team Response: The players are fighting for Smith, but the early results suggest they need time to develop chemistry with a new coaching staff under emergency circumstances.
The Permanent Job Question
Smith has not been announced as a candidate for the full-time job, though he hasn’t been ruled out either. Pat Kraft announced a national search for Penn State’s next permanent head coach.
The Reality:
- If Penn State goes 3-2 down the stretch and makes a bowl game, Smith’s stock rises significantly
- If Penn State finishes 3-3 and misses the postseason, Smith becomes a cautionary tale about promoting internal candidates in crises
- Regardless of on-field results, schools will likely pursue established Power 4 coaches with proven track records
Smith’s future likely depends less on this season and more on the national search bringing in a head coach. If that coach wants to retain Smith in a coaching role, that’s possible. But it’s unlikely Smith remains the long-term solution.
What Smith Needs to Accomplish
- Win Three of Five: Get Penn State to a bowl game (6-6)
- Develop Ethan Grunkemeyer: Get the QB to a place where he can be successful next season
- Restore Stability: Convince recruits, players, and fans that the program has a path forward
- Maintain Morale: Keep the team fighting despite impossible circumstances
The Larger Story
Terry Smith’s rise is a reminder of how quickly things can change in college football. A respected assistant coach becomes a head coach overnight, not because he campaigned for the job but because circumstances forced the issue.
It’s a gutsy move by Pat Kraft to turn to an internal candidate, but it also reflects the reality that there are no ideal solutions in a crisis. Sometimes you promote from within and hope for stability. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.
Conclusion: A Man in an Impossible Situation
Terry Smith is a good man in an impossible situation. He inherited a fractured program, a backup quarterback, and five games to salvage a season that was already lost.
His job isn’t to win the national championship or even make the College Football Playoff. His job is to restore a modicum of dignity to a program that’s been devastated by injury, poor performance, and coaching instability.
If he can get Penn State to a bowl game and develop Grunkemeyer into a viable future starting quarterback, he will have succeeded. Anything beyond that is bonus.
But for now, Terry Smith is simply trying to keep a wounded program together until the next permanent head coach arrives.
Penn State’s next game is against No. 1 Ohio State on November 1 at noon ET on FOX. The Buckeyes are 7-0 and heavily favored, but games between Penn State and Ohio State are always significant, regardless of record. The rivalry continues, with Smith leading the Nittany Lions into what promises to be an emotional battle.