Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith is garnering major support from players, fans, and letterman ot become the Nittany Lions' next head coach, after leading win over Nebraska. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)
“Hire Terry!” That’s the message coming out of Penn State’s win over Nebraska.
Current and former players, students, and fans, and even Terry Smith himself, are lobbying for the former defensive back/assistant head coach to be given full control of this team.
Smith has done well with what he was given since James Franklin was fired on October 12, and the momentum is exciting, but does he really raise the ceiling of this football team? Let’s break it down.
Is Terry Smith the Right Choice in Penn State’s Coaching Search?
The Case for Terry Smith as Penn State’s Next Head Coach
Smith has been at Penn State for 12 years, providing some stability for the current roster and a touch of familiarity for the incoming class, or at least what’s left of it.
We’ve already seen Franklin swaying a few Penn State commits, so a familiar face within the program is essential to keeping recruits and current Penn State players locked in.
In 2024, Smith was the 4th ranked recruiter in the B1G with nine recruits, averaging a rating of 90.05.
In a landscape where conference rivals are doubling the amount of NIL donations that Penn State brings in, solid recruiting is essential.
Smith has helped “secure 12-straight top-25 classes, including a top-5 class in 2018, a top-6 class in 2022 and top-15 classes in nine of the last 11 years.”
Proven Player Development in the Secondary
But it doesn’t stop there, Coach Smith can also develop players.
He has helped seven cornerbacks get drafted since 2015, tied for first in the country. Two players were drafted in 2024, the third consecutive year where multiple defensive backs were drafted.
Joey Porter Jr., in 2023, was the highest drafted Penn State defensive back ever at 32nd overall.
So yeah, Smith can recruit and develop.
The Case Against Hiring Terry Smith
Smith is beloved, respected, and stabilizing — but is he the coach to take Penn State deeper into the 12-team Playoff, win Big Ten titles, or beat Ohio State and Oregon?
Coach Franklin maintained a solid win-loss record and, by most metrics, was incredibly successful during his tenure leading the program.
When it mattered most, however, he consistently fell short. Can Smith do any better?
After all, Terry Smith has never even been a coordinator.
It’s rare for a candidate without coordinator experience to be hired as the head coach, especially in the B1G, where high-powered offenses and veteran playcallers are the norm.
Not only that, but the Nittany Lions offense is what really struggled to find an identity during the Franklin era. There’s a good chance that Penn State maintains a top defense, but what about the offense?
As usual, the Nittany Lions ran all over Nebraska in their latest game, but the passing game maintained course with 12 total pass attempts and a measly 181 yards passing.
That’s all fine and good when the final score shows a Penn State win, but how does that work against a top 5 team?
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What Penn State Must Decide Next
Terry Smith deserves immense credit for stepping up when Penn State needed him to.
He steadied a roster that could have (and still might) scattered. He calmed a fan base that was in a full panic. He truly has risen to the moment.
But is he the answer? He’s definitely a safe answer.
But, can he go toe to toe with the best in the nation?
This is the real question that needs to be answered, because the next coaching hire is going to define Penn State football for years to come.
Penn State Coaching Search Hot Board Narrows: Who’s Still in the Running After Major Extensions?
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