The changes to Penn State’s football coaching staff have been great, as it was also able to keep interim head coach Terry Smith in town. Many were worried that Smith would leave after not getting the head coaching job.
Now in a different role under head coach Matt Campbell, Smith is happy with the professional and personal changes that have come with the transition, as his new job is much easier than being a head coach.
“My role is not as demanding, and I actually like it,” Smith said, per Mark Wogenrich. “I can be normal at night.”
While Smith remains heavily involved in recruiting, player development, and much more, the different role has allowed him to have more flexibility away from the team.
From the sound of things, it actually seems like Smith had a problem with his role under Franklin, though it’s possible that the quote reads differently than what he actually meant.
“My associate role is different and bigger than [it was] under James,” Smith said. “Coach Campbell has conversations with me about how he wants to do different things, and I’ll share my insight to certain things and ultimately he has to make the final decision. James would ask me certain things, but it's different under Matt. Everyone in the building knows that I'm the associate head coach. Under James, that wasn't clear.”
Smith, being an interim head coach, was actually a great thing, too. He had to recruit players during the transition and now has more connections than he once did.
“I think the big advantage now on the road is, more players and staff know who I am,” Smith said. “If I'm in the South, which is SEC territory, I walk in the door, they recognize me now. Even other coaches from other universities, the conversations are just a little bit different.”
“Obviously, being a head coach, there's so much attention on that position, but it's been great,” Smith added. “It allows me to give a different experience level and communicate a different way to the prospects now, because I truly know what that seat feels like.”
Smith’s reputation as a relationship-driven recruiter has been something many have spoken about, but adding the South to his resume is massive.