Penn State made a key hire for Matt Campbell’s first staff in Happy Valley simultaneously as it announced Campbell’s deal: retaining interim head coach Terry Smith on a long-term contract.

But Campbell has many other staff positions to fill out between now and the start of the 2026 season. And according to multiple reports, he’s made his first one.

Iowa State assistant athletic director for player personnel Derek Hoodjer is set to follow Campbell to Penn State. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported the news Sunday morning.

Hoodjer was a longtime Cyclones assistant, serving in Ames since 2011 in various roles, including as a defensive graduate assistant and a recruiting staffer. His time with the Cyclones started as a student, and he graduated from Iowa State in 2014.

Hoodjer is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska.

He is a key cog in Campbell’s recruiting efforts. Iowa State has signed top-50 classes multiple times under Campbell despite having fewer financial resources than most Power Four programs.

Campbell could certainly bring more Iowa State personnel with him to Penn State. But Hoodjer represents the first big domino in the hiring process.

Campbell is set to be introduced as the 17th head coach in Penn State history on Monday, pending approval from the Board of Trustees in the morning.

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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — TJ Williams scored nine of his 18 points in overtime to lead Wichita State over Northern Iowa 74-69 on Saturday night.

Williams added nine rebounds for the Shockers (6-4). Michael Gray Jr. had 15 points and Kenyon Giles scored 12, adding three steals. Gray made two free throws with 10 seconds left to force OT tied at 59.

Tristan Smith led the way for the Panthers (7-2) with 16 points. Will Hornseth added 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Trey Campbell had 14 points.

Wichita State entered halftime up 35-28. Dre Kindell paced the team in the first half with 10 points.

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Iowa State basketball guard Tamin Lipsey is expected to play and Dominick Nelson will be suited up for the Cyclones’ game against No. 1 Purdue on Saturday on Dec. 6, an Iowa State spokesperson said.

Both players are both fully participating in pregame warmups ahead of Saturday’s contest against the Boilermakers.

They each sustained groin injuries. Lipsey has missed three games since leaving in the closing minutes of the Cyclones’ 83-82 victory over St. John’s on Nov. 24. Nelson only missed one game and sat out for the Cyclones’ 132-68 win over Alcorn State on Dec. 3.

Through five games, Lipsey is averaging 18.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game, while shooting 50.7% overall.

Nelson has appeared in seven contests off the bench, averaging 7.4 points and 1.0 steals over 14.4 minutes per game.

Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. The game will be available on CBS.

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Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger talks health of Tamin Lipsey, Dom Nelson

Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger talks health of Tamin Lipsey, Dom Nelson

This story has been updated with new information.

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.