Penn State football is past the midway point of its season. The team is fully immersed in Big Ten play, and Matt Campbell and his staff continue making personnel decisions they hope will spark a winning stretch.

But as the Nittany Lions enter their lone bye week, Campbell understands the importance of looking ahead and building a team for the future that will uphold the program’s standards.

“I’m a what’s right now kind of guy,” Campbell said. “Yes, we have a clear understanding that you have to have a global perspective, and in my seat, you have to have, you know, a 10,000-foot view of where the football program is. But the reality is, we have to form an identity, and we have to form who we’re going to be.”

The current team will use the extended break before the Purdue game to keep figuring out what that identity might look like. 

Getting back on the practice field and executing the fundamentals is critical, and having a full 48 hours for coaches to review film and identify shortcomings helps, too.

Penn State having more time on their hands doesn’t mean they have fewer responsibilities, though.

Campbell will spend a great deal of time looking externally at where the program can satisfy some of its needs that can’t necessarily be addressed with an extended week of practice or the current talent in the locker room.  

“How do we make sure we align ourselves so that when the opportunity comes, we’re putting the right team together for the future of our football program,” Campbell said. “That’s really what the vibe looks like for us.”

Campbell will be hitting the road with that goal in mind.

He and his coaching staff will travel this week to build relationships with prospective Nittany Lions and sell his vision for the team, while still focusing on the season at hand.

“We’ll certainly be out a ton. You know I’m leaving today and will be out a bunch today, tomorrow, Thursday, Friday, and so will our staff,” Campbell said. “But I think it still can’t come at the cost of the team, and our team right now needs us to continue to grow itself forward.”

The players Penn State will talk to this week and hope to attract in the next recruiting cycle will not only come from the class of 2027, but also 2028 and 2029.

Campbell will need to look ahead to build a sustainable football program that mirrors his vision. Using Penn State’s resources, including the ever-so-slight gift of time that comes with a bye week, is critical to future success.

“You got to take care of your own house first, and then you got to do a great job of making sure you get out and spend the time and the energy that recruiting takes if you’re gonna do it right.”