Penn State Football Coaching Search: 3 Assistants the Next Head Coach Must Keep on Staff
As Pat Kraft and Penn State Football continue the search for a head football coach, the question arises: Which of the current staff should the new head coach try to keep on staff?
Whether you loved him, or hate him, James Franklin had some very good position coaches and coordinators during his time with the Nittany Lions.
Three Position Coaches Next Penn State Head Coach Must Keep
Cornerbacks Coach Terry Smith
A Penn State-lifer like Terry Smith is a must-keep.
Smith played at Penn State and has been on staff since 2014.
Not only do Smith’s roots run deep in State College, but he has developed NFL-caliber talent like Joey Porter Jr., Amani Oruwariye, and others. Penn State always has steady Cornerbacks. Ask yourself, when was the last time Penn State had a liability at Cornerback? Terry Smith is an elite Cornerback Coach.
As Smith serves as the interim Head Coach, it is also important to acknowledge what Smith does on the recruiting trail.
Smith said it himself in his opening press conference, he has helped recruit approximately 75% of the Nittany Lions current roster. As I cover recruiting, Terry Smith’s name is mentioned by almost everyone. Smith helps lockdown the homeland of Pennsylvania and is an elite recruiter.
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Defensive Line Coach Deion Barnes
Similar to Terry Smith, Deion Barnes is a Penn State alumnus. Barnes took over the position unit in 2023. Prior to that he served as a graduate assistant for 3 years.
Since Barnes began working with the Defensive Line, Penn State has produced a nation leading 5 Defensive Ends drafter. While the Defensive Line is not on par with those of the past at Penn State, Barnes is a coach that should stick around in Happy Valley. His success with guys like Adisa Isaac, Chop Robinson, Abdul Carter, and more is very notable.
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Offensive Line Coach Phil Trautwein
Offensive Line Coach, Phil Trautwein is often credited with completely retooling Penn State’s once decimated Offensive Line room.
Through the years, Trautwein has turned what used to be a weakness into a strength of Penn State’s. His recruiting efforts have paid off, and he has shown that he is capable of developing guys into NFL players.
Olu Fashanu is an example of Trautwein taking a lower 3-star and turning him into a first-round draft choice.
Although Penn State’s Offensive Line has underperformed relative to expectations this season, Trautwein has proven his ability to be a good Offensive Line coach.
Currently, there are other good coaches on the Nittany Lions’ staff.
Many will likely get looks to stay on staff, and some might. There are others, however, that will likely have very little chance to return to Happy Valley once the new coach is hired.
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Purdy was born and raised in central Ohio and served for four years writing for his high school's newsletter. Currently studying Biblical Studies at Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania, Ian has been a lifelong Nittany Lion fan.
- Penn State Football Coaching Search: 3 Assistants the Next Head Coach Must Keep on Staff - October 21, 2025
- Curt Cignetti Signs Indiana Extension: Where Does Penn State Go From Here? - October 17, 2025
- Penn State Fired James Franklin and History Shows That Move Can Go One of Two Ways - October 14, 2025
