The Penn State Cyclones & The UCLA Dukes

With new coaching staffs in place at both Penn State and UCLA, it was understandable that these coaching staffs would seek to take advantage of preexisting relationships. Penn State brought in 21 players who played for Matt Campbell at Iowa State, while UCLA brought in 9 players who played for Bob Chesney at James Madison. There is an old saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – considering the success that Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has had with bringing in former players from James Madison, it appears that both Matt Campbell and Bob Chesney are borrowing a play from Cignetti’s successful playbook.

Penn State Progression

Speaking of Penn State, the Nittany Lions had the most turnover of their roster, with 47 players leaving. As written up above, Matt Campbell supplemented his new team with players from Iowa State, but the roster will have dramatically changed and shifted from the team that last took the field in Happy Valley in 2025. As of this writing, Penn State will have added 36 new players.

Ducks Not Deviating?

As of this writing, and I want to emphasize that players can still be added, Oregon has brought in a surprising low number of new commitments, with only 7 players. The Ducks did add some high profile names, with now former Minnesota defensive back Koi Perich and now former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola heading to Eugene.

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Campbell: The Steady Builder

Penn State’s choice of Matt Campbell is less about flash than about foundation. At Iowa State, Campbell proved he could coax consistency out of chaos, turning a perennial underdog into a program that punched above its weight. His move to Happy Valley signals Penn State’s desire for stability after the upheaval surrounding the firing of James Franklin. Campbell’s reputation for player development and cultural clarity doesn’t just steady Penn State—it raises the competitive bar for the entire Big Ten.

Fitzgerald: The Familiar Voice

Michigan State’s hire of Pat Fitzgerald is a return to tradition. Fitzgerald’s Northwestern tenure was long, complicated, and ultimately cut short, but his record—110 wins, multiple division titles—speaks to his ability to wring toughness and identity from a program. For the Spartans, Fitzgerald offers a floor of credibility and a ceiling of resilience. His reemergence strengthens the Big Ten’s coaching ranks, reminding rivals that Michigan State will not be an afterthought.

Chesney: The Ambitious Leap

Then there is Bob Chesney, UCLA’s bold choice. From Division III to the Sun Belt, Chesney has won everywhere he’s been, most recently guiding James Madison to a conference crown and inclusion in The College Football Playoff. His arrival in Westwood is less about continuity than about ambition. UCLA, long searching for a spark, has found a coach whose résumé suggests he can build programs from the ground up. In the Big Ten’s new geography, Chesney’s energy could ripple far beyond Los Angeles.

The Tide That Lifts

Individually, these hires solve immediate problems—Penn State’s credibility, Michigan State’s identity, UCLA’s ambition. Collectively, they elevate the sport. Campbell’s steadiness, Fitzgerald’s tradition, Chesney’s vision: each adds weight to the competitive fabric. Rivalries sharpen, conferences strengthen, fan bases reawaken.

College football thrives when its pillars are sturdy, when its challengers are bold, when its middle class refuses to settle. This winter’s carousel has not merely redistributed talent; it has raised the waterline. And as the old saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats.

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