Penn State Program History

Nittany Lions · Big Ten · FBS seasons since 1985

All-time: 359-154-1.699
Seasons: 421985–2026
AP top 25: 23final polls
AP top 10: 14final polls
Best rating: +24.43rd in 2017

Season by season

Year	Coach	Conference	Record	Conf	Pct	AP	Rating	Adj Off	Adj Def
2026so far	Matt Campbell	Big Ten	3-4	0-4	.429		+8.632	29.644	21.029
2025	James Franklin / Terry Smith	Big Ten	7-6	3-6	.538		+17.512	34.715	17.211
2024	James Franklin	Big Ten	13-3	8-2	.813	5	+23.05	37.27	14.23
2023	James Franklin	Big Ten	10-3	7-2	.769	13	+22.16	36.811	14.74
2022	James Franklin	Big Ten	11-2	7-2	.846	7	+21.16	37.48	16.34
2021	James Franklin	Big Ten	7-6	4-5	.538		+12.416	29.651	17.26
2020	James Franklin	Big Ten	4-5	4-5	.444		+13.317	35.316	22.116
2019	James Franklin	Big Ten	11-2	7-2	.846	9	+19.810	36.813	17.010
2018	James Franklin	Big Ten	9-4	6-3	.692		+17.610	36.413	18.810
2017	James Franklin	Big Ten	11-2	7-2	.846	8	+24.43	41.94	17.611
2016	James Franklin	Big Ten	11-3	9-1	.786	7	+13.914	38.614	24.835
2015	James Franklin	Big Ten	7-6		.538		—	—	—
2014	James Franklin	Big Ten	7-6		.538		—	—	—
2013	Bill O'Brien	Big Ten	7-5		.583		—	—	—
2012	Bill O'Brien	Big Ten	8-4		.667		—	—	—
2011	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	8-1		.889		—	—	—
2010	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	7-6		.538		—	—	—
2009	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	11-2		.846	9	—	—	—
2008	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	11-2		.846	8	—	—	—
2007	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	9-4		.692		—	—	—
2006	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	9-4		.692	24	—	—	—
2005	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	11-1		.917	3	—	—	—
2004	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	4-7		.364		—	—	—
2003	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	3-9		.250		—	—	—
2002	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	9-4		.692	16	—	—	—
2001	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	5-6		.455		—	—	—
2000	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	5-7		.417		—	—	—
1999	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	10-3		.769	11	—	—	—
1998	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	9-3		.750	17	—	—	—
1997	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	9-3		.750	16	—	—	—
1996	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	11-2		.846	7	—	—	—
1995	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	9-3		.750	13	—	—	—
1994	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	12-0		1.000	2	—	—	—
1993	Joe Paterno	Big Ten	10-2		.833	8	—	—	—
1992	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	7-5		.583		—	—	—
1991	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	11-2		.846	3	—	—	—
1990	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	9-3		.750	11	—	—	—
1989	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	8-3-1		.708	15	—	—	—
1988	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	5-6		.455		—	—	—
1987	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	8-4		.667		—	—	—
1986	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	12-0		1.000	1	—	—	—
1985	Joe Paterno	FBS Independents	11-1		.917	3	—	—	—

Ratings and conference records start with the 2016 season. How the ratings work.

Head coaches

Coach	Years	Seasons	Record	Pct
Matt Campbell	2026	1	3-4	.429
Terry Smith	2025	1	4-3	.571
James Franklin	2014–2025	12	104-45	.698
Bill O'Brien	2012–2013	2	15-9	.625
Joe Paterno	1985–2011	27	233-93-1	.714