Penn State Coaching Search Hot Board Narrows: Who’s Still in the Running After Major Extensions?
Penn State’s coaching search has now officially lasted longer than James Franklin’s unemployment, as Penn State’s former head coach has accepted the head coaching job at Virginia Tech. While Franklin wasted no time finding his next position (and luckily for Penn State reducing the buyout Penn State owed Franklin by $40 million), in Penn State’s own search for Franklin’s replacement, the potential field of candidates for athletic director Pat Kraft still remains a bit unclear.
The timing of Franklin’s firing in the middle of the season has allowed time for universities to lock down current head coaches with extensions.
Inside where things stand for Penn State’s Coaching Search Hot Board
This has effectively eliminated Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, and Texas A&M’s Mike Elko.
In other cases, Kraft and PSU have removed other candidates from consideration (Urban Meyer). With enough candidates moving off of the board, let’s take another look at the names remaining on Penn State’s coaching search hot board.
Pat Fitzgerald Remains a Viable Early Starter
NittanyCentral’s Ian Purdy confirmed through sources Tuesday that Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft’s “genuine interest” in the former Northwestern Wildcat’s head coach Pat Fitzgerald as the Nittany Lions’ next head coach.
Fitzgerald is very familiar with the Big Ten, having coached Northwestern for 17 years before his firing over a hazing incident (after which Fitzgerald and Northwestern settled a wrongful termination lawsuit). Fitzgerald held a career record of 110-101 with the Wildcats and led the team to two Big Ten west titles.
Fitzgerald also held a career bowl record of 5-5. Fitzgerald looks to be the only candidate not employed at another school or NFL team that could start before the season ends in two weeks.
Kalen DeBoer’s Path to Penn State Depends on Alabama’s Season
Kalen DeBoer is the biggest and most interesting name for Penn State fans remaining on the board after Mike Elko agreed to an extension at Texas A&M.
DeBoer remains an unlikely candidate for Penn State unless Alabama slips up against Auburn in the Iron Bowl to end the regular season or quickly exits the playoffs in the first round.
No matter how the rest of the season and potential playoff run goes, Alabama will not be moving on from DeBoer, so it would take DeBoer willingly wanting to leave Alabama to bring him into the fold for Pat Kraft.
Perhaps if Alabama loses to Auburn or exits the playoffs in the first round, DeBoer gets uncomfortable with the fan chatter in Tuscaloosa and looks for a soft landing elsewhere.
Eli Drinkwitz Emerges as Penn State’s Most Realistic Target
Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz looks to be the most realistic current head coach on the board for Penn State.
Missouri is already out of the SEC and playoff races, allowing him to potentially leave for other jobs as early as the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Drinkwitz remains the betting favorite to land at Penn State on sports betting site Kalshi.
Terry Smith Makes His Case as the Internal Candidate
Terry Smith enters the picture for Penn State’s next head coach. Smith said at his weekly press conference Monday that he has not formally interviewed for the position but treats his performance as the interim head coach as an informal interview for the job.
Smith picked up his first win in his head coaching career against Michigan State last Saturday and has been on Penn State’s staff since 2014.
Pat Kraft confirmed in his initial press conference on Penn State’s coaching search that Terry Smith was absolutely in consideration as Penn State’s next head coach.
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Manny Diaz, Duke head coach, could return to Happy Valley
Manny Diaz still remains a likely backup option for Penn State if Pat Kraft misses on names higher on the board.
Diaz is very familiar with Happy Valley after his two-year stint as Penn State’s defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023, where he led the No. 1 ranked defense in the country in 2023.
Diaz has Duke at only 5-5 on the season, but did produced the best recruiting class in Duke history in his first season with the Blue Devils.
Brian Hartline, Ohio State offensive coordinator could level up the Nittany Lions in key areas
Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline had a lot of buzz to be Penn State’s next head coach earlier in the month. Hartline was even recommended for the job by former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg.
However, it seems as though the buzz on Hartline has died down for now, likely moving him down Kraft’s board for the moment.
Brent Key, Georgia Tech head coach, fits PSU’s culture
Georgia Tech’s Brent Key is having a ton of success at his alma mater this season. Key has Georgia Tech at 9-1 this season and ranked inside the top 20.
Key and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets could sneak into the college football playoff, potentially creating a timing issue for Pat Kraft. It may also be hard for Penn State to pull Key from his alma mater.
Bob Chesney, James Madison head coach, could be ready for big leap
Bob Chesney’s name popped up for the first time for Penn State’s opening in a real way this week.
Chesney is only 48 years old and has an 18-5 record in two years at James Madison, succeeding Curt Cignetti.
The question is whether Chesney could succeed in the jump from James Madison to a national contender or whether Curt Cignetti was an anomaly.
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