Would players stay at Penn State if Terry Smith became head coach? ‘It would definitely help’

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s ongoing search for a head coach has plenty of layers to it.

Not only will the next hire bring his own schemes, mottos, practice traditions and coaches, but he may bring his own players, too. And any player on Penn State’s current roster will be afforded the chance to enter the transfer portal shortly following the hire.

The 2026 Nittany Lions could look completely different in 2026.

But there’s a core of young talent making huge contributions as Penn State has made a late turnaround in the 2025 season. And virtually every single one of them showed vocal support for interim head coach Terry Smith as the full-time option after thumping Nebraska, 37-10 .

The Nittany Lions found paper signs that read “Hire Terry Smith” and paraded them around the field pos