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Penn State's Running Backs Coach Departs for South Carolina
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Penn States Running Backs Coach, Stan Drayton, Leaves for South Carolina; Nittany Lions Face Coaching Staff Overhaul
Penn States football program is set to lose its running backs coach, Stan Drayton, who is joining the University of South Carolina. Drayton, who spent just one season with the Nittany Lions, is replacing JaJuan Seider at South Carolina. This move comes after reports from On Threes Pete Nakos indicated Draytons departure.
Drayton, a seasoned coach with experience at Texas, Ohio State, and Florida, is known for his work in player development. His departure adds to the Nittany Lions offseason challenges, as they are already searching for a new running backs coach following the graduation of their star duo, Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. The team will now need to quickly find and hire a new coach to guide their next generation of players.
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Campbell's New Chapter: From Iowa State to Penn State
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Penn State Football Loses Defensive Coordinator
01:37|Penn State Football Faces Another Defensive Coordinator Change: Jim Knowles Leaves for Tennessee, Leaving Uncertainty for Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State Defensive Coordinator Fired After One Season
01:38|Penn States Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles Out After One Season: A New Era Begins In a surprising turn of events, Penn States defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, is stepping down after just one season. Knowles, a high-profile hire from Ohio State, was expected to elevate the Nittany Lions defense. However, the teams season took a downturn, leading to his departure. Knowles, who was under contract for two more seasons, is now seeking a new role. Meanwhile, new head coach Matt Campbell is bringing in his longtime defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock, from Iowa State, signaling a significant schematic overhaul for Penn States defense.
Penn State Seeks New Defensive Coordinator
01:37|Penn States defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, is leaving for Tennessee, along with tight ends coach Ty Howle and quarterbacks coach Danny OBrien, who are joining Virginia Tech. Knowles, who was the highest-paid assistant coach in the country, struggled with Penn States defense, which ranked poorly in the Big Ten. The search for a new defensive coordinator is ongoing, while Jon Heacock is expected to join the staff.
Penn State Defensive Coordinator Departs
01:32|Penn State Parts Ways with Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles After One Season Penn State is reportedly moving on from defensive coordinator Jim Knowles after just one season, as he is expected to join Tennessee in the same role. Knowles departure comes after a challenging season where his defensive scheme proved difficult for players to grasp, leading to struggles in forcing turnovers and getting opponents off the field on crucial downs. Despite being the highest-paid coordinator in college football, Knowles tenure ended with the defense ranking 37th in scoring and 34th in total yards. New head coach Matt Campbell is reportedly already considering Iowa State defensive coordinator John Heacock as a potential replacement.
Campbell's Recruiting Battle: Williams & Penn State
01:41|Matt Campbell, new head coach of Penn State, aims to revitalize the 2026 recruiting class by targeting three-star safety Bryson Williams, who de-committed from Iowa State after Campbells departure. This recruiting battle with Vanderbilt presents a chance for Campbell to showcase his recruiting skills, as he typically focuses on high school recruiting and long-term player development.
Campbell's Coaching Philosophy Rooted in Kehres's Legacy
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Pinstripe Bowl: Penn State vs Clemson - Depth Tested
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