Penn State fans don’t need much reminding about just how crazy the past few months have been, but if they want another one, here you go.
Yes, Penn State plays one more football game in the 2025 season on Saturday in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. That’s hardly been the focus, though.
Between a coaching transition and the impending transfer portal, the four Penn State players made available during pre-bowl press conferences last week were asked a total of just five questions about their opposing Clemson Tigers.
The main focus was on newly minted head coach Matt Campbell, who addressed the team as a whole after his introduction Dec. 8 and has spent time since meeting with players individually.
He’s even met with the Nittany Lions who have exhausted their eligibility, attempting to diagnose and correct what fell apart for the nation’s preseason No. 2 squad in 2025.
Here’s what those players had to say about their first impressions of the new leader.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer
“I’ve met with him a couple times now, and since recruiting, I’ve always had a really good impression of him. I know the culture he’s built at Iowa State, and I really liked that from recruiting. I think it’ll carry over here really well. So, just a really good impression. I like how he handles the program, and I like what he’s about as a coach and as a person.”
Junior safety King Mack
“He’s a great guy. I had a meeting with him, and honestly, it was a great conversation. He’s very honest. He’s straightforward. He sees where we went wrong this year, and his job is to one, get it fixed as soon as possible and to use all the seniors as one big group to help us fix all those issues as well. Coach Matt Campbell plans on changing the culture, and I feel like the plan that he has, it’s a great plan.
“All we need to do is just have everyone buy in. If everyone buys in, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be where we’re supposed to be. I have confidence in the talent in the room, honestly — in my room, on the offensive side. I mean, at the end of the day, it’s Penn State. Coach, Matt Campbell, he’s going to do a great job leading us. He is.”
Redshirt senior wide receiver Trebor Peña
“He’s a great dude. You can tell he cares and can tell he’s smart. You can tell he’s well-respected. I’m excited for the guys that are staying, and I’m excited for where he takes this program.”
Redshirt senior linebacker Dom DeLuca
“He seems like a great guy. I’m excited to see what he does here for Penn State and the program. Trying to get to know him was awesome. He seems like he’s really trying to do whatever he could to help the players achieve their goals.”