USC And Penn State Coaching History Could Fuel Big Ten Rivalry

USC and Penn State's shared coaching history can lead to an interesting matchup on Oct. 10.

Nov 9, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley (left) shakes hands with Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell after the game at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Although the USC Trojans and Penn State Nittany Lions may not be traditional rivals, they have delivered some classic performances for college football fans like the 2009 and 2017 Rose Bowl. Now that the Trojans have joined the Big Ten, the two storied programs may have a chance of igniting a modern feud. 

On top of regularly scheduled games, USC’s head coach vacancy from 2021 could play a pivotal role in the 2026 showdown.

Oct 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) breaks up a pass for USC Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson (10) in the first half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lincoln Riley and Matt Campbell’s Connection to USC Coaching Role

In 2021, USC fired Clay Helton after 12 years of service. Before the shock hire of Lincoln Riley, USC cast a fairly wide net for big-names and up-and-coming candidates. Within the Pac-12, candidates such as Mario Cristobal (Oregon) and Kyle Whittingham (Utah) came up. Dave Aranda (Baylor), P.J. Fleck (Minnesota) and Sonny Dykes (SMU) were also floated as potential names.

There were longshot candidates like James Franklin, Bill O’Brien, who was Alabama’s offensive coordinator at the time, and Urban Meyer, but the name that was picking up the most traction was Matt Campbell.

Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell looks on from the field during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

In 2016, Campbell and the Iowa State Cyclones went 3-9 in his first season as their head coach. Campbell went on to turn the program around, winning four-straight bowl games – including a huge Fiesta Bowl win over Oregon – led the Cyclones to their first Big 12 Championship appearance and had a record of 42-34 by 2021. 

Ultimately the USC job went to Riley and Campbell stayed at ISU til the end of the 2025 season. He finished his tenure at ISU with a record of 72-55 and a 5-3 bowl game record, making him the winningest coach in program history, 14 wins over ranked opponents and won the Big 12 Coach of the Year three times.  

Campbell will now take the reins at Penn State and is bringing 24 former ISU players – the largest number of players from the same program that are following their head coach this season. Taylor Mouser, a longtime assistant to Campbell, will be joining him as the offensive coordinator. On the defensive side of the ball, a familiar face to USC will be in charge.

Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn reacts against the Utah State Aggies during the fourth quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

D'Anton Lynn will serve as Campbell’s defensive coordinator. Lynn, who played cornerback at Penn State from 2008-2011, was previously the DC for the Trojans for the 2024 and 2025 season. Under Lynn, the Trojan defense was able to rebuild and become a respectable unit in the Big Ten – No. 65 nationally in 2024 and top-50 in 2025. 

Riley-Campbell and USC-Penn State History

When both coaches were in the Big 12, they faced off five times as head coaches with Riley leading 3-2. Campbell’s biggest win over Riley was during the 2017 regular season when ISU upset Oklahoma 38-31. For Riley, beating ISU 27-21 in the 2020 Big 12 Championship game after losing to them during the regular season.

Nov 20, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley (left) speaks with Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell (right) after the game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

USC currently holds a 6-5 lead over Penn State. The Nittany Lions snapped the Trojans’ three-game win streak (2000, 2008, 2016) in the 2024 when they upset the Trojans 33-30 in an overtime thriller. 

Their second game as Big Ten opponents will take place on Oct. 10.

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