Iowa State has never signed a five-star recruit, and across his 10-year tenure in Ames, Matt Campbell wasn’t often swimming in the four-star waters. Yet, over that time, the Cyclones produced 15 NFL Draft picks, including one first-rounder, edge rusher Will McDonald in 2023, and four draft picks in 2025.
The 46-year-old new head coach of the Nittany Lions has a reputation as one of the best talent developers in college football, but you don’t develop that reputation or produce that amount of draft picks alone. Campbell’s staff is one of the best, and he’s brought many of his assistants with him to Happy Valley, including both of his coordinators, Taylor Mouser and Jon Heacock.
But, on Thursday, he made the one hire that Penn State fans have been most excited for: wide receiver coach Noah Pauley.
Penn State hires wide receiver coach Noah Pauley from Iowa State
Pauley took over as Campbell’s wide receiver coach in 2023 and, in 2024, became the program’s passing game coordinator. 2024 was one of Iowa State’s most prolific passing seasons in school history, with quarterback Rocco Becht throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns en route to an 11-win season and a Big 12 Title Game appearance…