After a decade steering Iowa State, Matt Campbell is reportedly on his way to State College to take over at Penn State. While it’s the dramatic end to what might be the most chaotic coaching search, it also shines a light on Campbell’s coaching career.

There’s no debate; Campbell stands as the most crucial figure in Iowa State football history. He took a program starved for success and pushed it to two conference championship games, rewriting the entire standard in Ames. Throughout his tenure, he compiled a 107–70 record: the best mark of any coach to have led the Cyclones. However, it’s worth knowing where his football journey began.

Matt Campbell’s early life and playing career before coaching

Born on November 29, 1979, Campbell’s football journey began on the field at Mount Union. There, he quickly made a name for himself. As a two-time All-American and Ohio Athletic Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year, he helped the Purple Raiders win three NCAA Division III national titles. Campbell recorded 207 tackles and 49 TFLs in 55 career games while earning CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.

Following such success in his playing career, the transition to coaching came naturally. Campbell began as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green, working with teaching assistants.

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The Falcons claimed victories in the 2003 Motor City Bowl and the 2004 GMAC Bowl under his watch. Then he returned to Mount Union as offensive coordinator and line coach, guiding the team to two more national titles and a staggering 29–1 record.

During his tenure, six players earned All-American honors. But he didn’t stop there; his coaching career continued to climb long before he became Iowa State’s head coach.

Matt Campbell’s Coaching Journey: Roles, teams & timeline

Campbell started his coaching career at Bowling Green as a graduate assistant from 2003 to 2004. Then he returned to his alma mater, Mount Union, as offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2006. Spending one season with the Purple Raiders, he went back to Bowling Green as an assistant coach from 2007 to 2008.

After that, he moved to Toledo, serving as run game coordinator in 2009 and being promoted to offensive coordinator from 2010 to 2011.

With nearly eight years of coaching experience under his belt, his journey as a head coach was ready to begin.

Campbell first took over as Toledo’s head coach from 2012 to 2015. Then he led Iowa State from 2016 through this season. But from next season, his offensive prowess and recruiting acumen will be on full display at Penn State as their new head coach.

Head Coaching Career at Toledo: Wins, records & breakthroughs

In just four-plus seasons, Matt Campbell compiled a 35–15 record and led the Rockets to three nine-win campaigns. Besides, he coached in three bowl games, including the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl.

Named the youngest FBS head coach in 2011 at age 32, Campbell made an immediate impact, winning the Military Bowl over Air Force, and he coached it from the press box to avoid distractions. From there, the program rose steadily under Campbell’s direction.

In 2012, his first full season as head coach featured an eight-game winning streak and a Top 25 ranking after upsetting No. 18 Cincinnati. Then, the 2013–14 Rockets shared MAC West Division titles and capped the 2014 season with a 63–44 win in the GoDaddy Bowl.

In 2015, Toledo stunned Arkansas and earned the school’s first CFP ranking. That same year, Campbell was named MAC Coach of the Year, cementing his legacy as one of Toledo’s most dynamic coaches. After that, he started making his mark at Iowa State.

Matt Campbell at Iowa State: Impact, wins & program turnaround

Matt Campbell went 72–55 over 10 seasons at Iowa State. Under his leadership, Iowa State played in eight bowl games, tied Clay Stapleton as the second-longest-tenured coach in school history, and surpassed Dan McCarney’s win total when the Cyclones shut out Houston, 20–0, in 2024.

Campbell made the Cyclones relevant on the national stage, as he led the team to its first two Big 12 Title Game appearances, in 2020 and 2024, including a 9–3 season during COVID-impacted 2020 that ended with a Fiesta Bowl win over Oregon.

He leaves Ames with the highest overall winning percentage (.567) and the best Big 12 winning percentage (.556) in Cyclone history.

This season’s 8–4 record, with a win over Kansas State, also marked Campbell’s 100th career win. While it’s a fitting milestone for a coach who redefined Iowa State, this consistency positioned him perfectly for Penn State’s head coaching job.

Matt Campbell’s career records & coaching achievements

Campbell earned bowl victories throughout his early coaching career. At Bowling Green, he won the 2003 Motor City Bowl and the GMAC Bowl twice (2004 and 2007). Later at Toledo, he led the Rockets to wins in the 2011 Military Bowl and 2015 GoDaddy Bowl. After that, he continued his success at Iowa State.

Campbell transformed Iowa State. His leadership produced historic milestones, including the first double-digit win season in 133 years (11–3 in 2024), multiple Top 25 finishes, and two appearances in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Under Campbell, the Cyclones became a powerhouse on both sides of the ball. The Cyclones led the Big 12 in scoring and total defense, with players earning national honors and All-America recognition.

Simply put, from the breakout 2017 season, which included landmark wins over Top 5 teams, to the program-record 11-win 2024 campaign, Campbell’s tenure redefined what Iowa State could achieve. Now, after this season ends, he will take over as Penn State’s head coach.