Pat Kraft Tries To Patch Things Up With Terry Smith After Abrupt Matt Campbell Turn
Pat Kraft is suddenly back in the NCAA spotlight because of the intense coaching chaos at Penn State. After firing James Franklin, the program needed a strong coach, but every top candidate went elsewhere.
During this struggle, Kraft became emotional, and even his leaked audio showed the pressure he was facing. Now, with Matt Campbell officially hired as the new head coach, there is finally a sense of relief.
Penn State fans can at least hope the program’s downward spiral might steady itself, if not sooner, for sure later. But amid all this, the person most unfairly affected has been the Interim Head Coach of Penn State, Terry Smith.
Today, Pat Kraft finally stepped up to correct that mistake, publicly recognizing Smith’s efforts when he needed it most.
While introducing Matt Campbell last evening, Pat Kraft recognized the contributions of Terry Smith over the last two months:
— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) December 6, 2025
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Coach Terry Smith for stepping up when we needed him the most and for rallying our team to finish this season… pic.twitter.com/1980n24RyP
Pat Kraft said, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Coach Terry Smith for stepping up when we needed him the most and for rallying our team to finish this season with three straight wins.”
“Coach Smith bleeds blue and white and pours his entire heart and soul into Penn State Football.” Kraft added
Pat concluded, saying, “I’m deeply grateful for his commitment to our University, and I am excited that he will continue to be a part of this program.”
There is no doubt that Pat Kraft recognizing Terry Smith was a good move. It was also a smart one. Kraft knows that hiring Matt Campbell could make Smith look like someone he used and pushed aside. That could have triggered major backlash.
By praising Smith early, Kraft stopped the situation before it turned into a bigger problem.
Pat Kraft Believes Terry Smith Delivers What Matt Campbell Cannot at This Stage
Pat Kraft and Penn State’s decision to appoint Matt Campbell as head coach clearly shows that Kraft believes Campbell brings something Terry Smith simply cannot. Time will reveal whether that belief is right or wrong — but if we examine the decision closely, it actually makes a lot of sense.
The moment James Franklin was fired, Terry Smith was named interim head coach. That was his chance to prove himself, to deliver something exceptional.
But he couldn’t capitalize on that opportunity. And when you fail to shine in the exact moment designed to showcase your ability, how could Kraft trust him again in a situation where Penn State desperately needed a high-impact head coach?
People might judge the Matt Campbell hire by next season’s results, but choosing not to make Terry Smith the permanent head coach was absolutely the correct call.
Pat Kraft Tries To Patch Things Up With Terry Smith After Abrupt Matt Campbell Turn
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