Penn State interim coach Terry Smith sends passionate message after winning Pinstripe Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Penn State Nittany Lions had their football season come to an end Saturday afternoon with a 22-10 win against the Clemson Tigersin the Pinstripe Bowl to finish a rollercoaster season at 7-6.
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Smith succeeded former Penn State coach James Franklin around midseason after Franklin’s dismissal in State College resulted in failure to live up to their preseason College Football Playoff and national title expectations.
Smith’s coaching job may have been the most resilient of the entire season, having a chance to reflect on the experience before handing the keys to Matt Campbell.
“We could have very well quit, but they didn’t,” Smith said. “They chose another path.”
Smith continued, as he held back tears both on TV and while speaking to reporters after the game.
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“I love this group,” Smith said. “They’re just a special group of guys. This is the greatest moment of my life.”
Simply put, this was bigger than a singular win. This was a former player attempting to restore a program that needed a boost in the worst way.
“I love Penn State,” Smith said. “I love football, and the game and Penn State have done amazing things for me and my family. I’m just thankful and grateful.”
Smith says he has high hopes for Campbell to have immediate success as soon as next fall.
“The communication has been terrific,” Smith said. “We’re just trying to piece together and retain roster and bring in new roster players. But he’s been very, very good. The guys that have come with him so far, they’ve been awesome, as well.”
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There is still work to be done in Happy Valley, but if anything couldn’t be clearer, the Nittany Lions are anything but irrelevant with Campbell now leading the way.
Now it’s onto the off-season.
