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Matt Campbell Penn State football coach focused on the NCAA transfer portal Nittany Lions head Coach Campbell vows to use the portal to accelerate the Nittany Lions roster overhaul. Who is his first call?(Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)

Tight End Guru: 3 Things to Know About Taylor Mouser, Matt Campbell’s New Penn State Offensive Coordinator

Originally posted on Nittany Central | By Ethan Johnson | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 12:55 AM ET

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Penn State’s new coaching staff has filled another crucial position, with Taylor Mouser following Matt Campbell from Iowa to serve as the Nittany Lions‘ offensive coordinator. Mouser has a big task ahead of him as he takes over a stagnant offense that is set to lose key pieces to the NFL and transfer portal.

Expectations will be high for Mouser.

Here are three things that you need to know about Mouser as he takes on this new role.

3 Things You Need to Know About Penn State OC Taylor Mouser

Essential Experience: Offensive Coordinator of Iowa State’s 11-Win Season

NittanyCentral recently outlined the importance of prior head coaching experience when hiring a head coach.

Likewise, there’s little doubt that Mouser’s previous coordinator experience will get Penn State’s offense humming much more quickly, especially because that experience was in Campbell’s offense.

That offense, by the way, got off to a fast start in 2024 and produced Iowa State’s first 11-win season. Just a year later, that offense is ahead of Penn State in many passing categories.

The Cyclones’ passing game has typically been right around the same rank as their rushing offense. That shows a bit more balance than what Penn State has experienced.

The Tight End Whisperer: Developing All-Americans and NFL Talent

How many Penn State fans miss the days of Tyler Warren?

The dude was an animal.

But, Penn State still has incredibly gifted tight ends on the roster, and guess who can help develop those tight ends? That’s right, Taylor Mouser.

Penn State Football Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds may be among the biggest winners of Matt Campbell’s offense arriving in Happy Valley, if he remains with the Nittany Lions. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)

As an offensive coordinator (and before), he was also the tight ends coach and developed an All-American in Chase Kolar and All-Big 12 selections in Chase Allen and Stevo Klotz. That bodes well for Penn State’s stable of tight ends.

Scouting Background: Recruiting & Identifying Underrated Talent

On top of Penn State’s NIL disadvantage in the B1G, James Franklin’s departure and the coaching search nightmare left the incoming class in shambles.

That does not bode well for the start of the Matt Campbell era. But the Campbell-Mouser combo has shown that they can recruit. Mouser served as the assistant scouting director for a time, and Iowa State’s blue-collar culture matches up well with Penn State.

That should immediately buy this program some respect from incoming recruits from the Midwest and Appalachia regions.

Big Ten Test: What Mouser’s Experience Means for Penn State

Rocco Becht, Iowa State quarterback, a potential transfer target for Penn State and Matt Campbell Could Matt Campbell convince Rocco Becht to follow him to Happy Valley for his final year of eligibility? (Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images)

Experience doesn’t always translate to success, particularly when the level of competition increases as much as it does from the Big 12 to the B1G.

But experience is almost always better than inexperience, and Nittany Lions fans can take comfort in that with Taylor Mouser. He has experience in all the right areas for this team.

If it translates to a new conference with more resources, this could be a fun offense to watch.