{
  "id": 5756152,
  "title": "Matt Campbell saved Penn State from catastrophe: How Nittany Lions replaced James Franklin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/matt-campbell-saved-penn-state-from-catastrophe-how-nittany-lions",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T10:00:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/matt-campbell-saved-penn-state-100034000.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The firing of James Franklin by Penn State sparked a coaching search that saw other schools also part ways with their leaders early in the season. However, Penn State remained open for a new head coach. Matt Campbell, the coach of Iowa State, emerged as the chosen candidate to replace Franklin. Campbell's impressive 72-55 record at Iowa State, including a 50-40 mark in the Big 12, coupled with his three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year honors and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Oregon in 2020-21, made him a strong contender. Penn State athletic director Patrick Kraft emphasized that Campbell was the perfect leader for the university at this time, citing his success, values, and approach to coaching student-athletes.",
  "summary": "Penn State's road to hiring Matt Campbell wasn't easy, but the Nittany Lions found their James Franklin replacement in Ames, Iowa.",
  "key_points": [
    "Matt Campbell replaced James Franklin as Penn State's head coach.",
    "Campbell boasts a 72-55 record at Iowa State, including 50-40 in Big 12.",
    "Athletic director Patrick Kraft praised Campbell's leadership and values."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Penn State vs. Marshall live updates: Score, highlights, analysis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/penn-state-vs-marshall-live-updates-score-highlights-analysis",
        "published": "2026-09-05T11:50:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}