Iowa State coach Matt Campbell has emerged as the focus of Penn State 's head coaching search, sources told ESPN on Thursday.

Penn State is in discussions with Campbell about its vacancy after initiating contact with him Wednesday. Both sides are early in the process, and any hire at Penn State will require additional steps and board approval.

Penn State shifted its attention to other candidates after BYU coach Kalani Sitake chose to remain with the Cougars and agree to a long-term extension Tuesday.

Penn State had also engaged at least three other candidates over the past few days, sources told ESPN.

The hiring of Campbell, the winningest coach in Iowa State history, would bring an end to a search that has extended more than 50 days since Penn State fired longtime coach James Fra

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