Curt Cignetti Signs Indiana Extension: Where Does Penn State Go From Here?
Thursday, Indiana and Curt Cignetti inked a new contract extension, good for 11.6 million for 8 years. Given the vacancy at Penn State, Cignetti was high on the Nittany Lions‘ wishlist.
Cignetti is a proven winner with experience and a history of winning in year one at places.
But, Cignetti is now out of the picture.
Where does Pat Kraft go from here?
Does Pressure Shift to Urban Meyer
There have been Urban Meyer whispers since Saturday morning, while James Franklin was still the coach at Penn State.
It appears that Meyer is interested in the Penn State job at the very least.
While Meyer brings his own set of challenges, namely his history with health struggles on the sidelines. Meyer is still likely one of, if not the top candidate, right now.
At a surprising 61 years old, pressure for Meyer to make a decision could be looming.
There is a unique advantage for Meyer to coach at Penn State. He could be hired today, tomorrow, or anytime during the season. That would be an advantage for Penn State. Meyer could assemble his staff, recruit the class of 2026, and then attack the transfer portal.
This could be super beneficial. As it appears, the ball is in Meyer’s court.
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What Will Matt Rhule do?
The Nebraska head man, Matt Rhule, is also a name that has come up a lot in this young coaching search.
As a Penn State alumni, Rhule’s name has been tossed around as the next head coach for years. Given it is the middle of the season, at the earliest Rhule could get started at Penn State at the end of November. That is a much different situation than Meyer.
As things stand now, it seems like Kraft will try to take some bigger swings before narrowing in on Matt Rhule. I’d expect guys like Kalen DeBoer, Eli Drinkwitz, Lane Kiffin, and others to get some buzz before Kraft focuses on Rhule.
Additionally, if Urban Meyer wants the job, it’s hard to not give it to him as soon as he accepts.
Penn State Football Swing-o-meter: What Taking a Big Swing Actually Means for Coaching Search
How Can Other Schools Effect the Penn State Vacancy
Penn State firing James Franklin last week moved up the coaching carousel drastically. Places like Florida or Auburn may soon come open.
This could force the Nittany Lion’s hand. Inevitably, some of the same names will begin cropping up tied to some of these other programs. I could see Lane Kiffin getting some buzz for Florida, or Marcus Freeman entertaining another opening.
All of this would also accelerate Pat Kraft’s ticking clock.
Penn State will continue through this self described “national search” to find what Pat Kraft believes to be “the guy”. As things stand right now, it seems like Urban Meyer is the name to beat, but there is still a long, long way to go.
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.
- 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
- Report: Marcus Freeman Linked to Penn State Job | Why He’d Be a Perfect Fit in Happy Valley - October 14, 2025