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NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State

The 1 Coach Penn State Should NOT Consider As a James Franklin Replacement

Robert ShieldsJames Franklin, Penn State Football

After two straight losses, including one of the most embarrassing losses in James Franklin’s tenure, Penn State Football has a $56 million problem on its hands, what to do about Penn State head coach James Franklin after this season.

It has become somewhat clear, however, that Franklin has reached his ceiling in Happy Valley, and a coaching change could be needed for both sides.

Penn State Football, James Franklin
Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft has a difficult decision to make, as James Franklin’s program flounders during an all-in season. (Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun)

If Penn State and athletic director Pat Kraft do terminate James Franklin, or if Franklin leaves for another job after the season, one potential replacement that Kraft should absolutely not consider is Nebraska’s Matt Rhule.

Why Matt Rhule Would Be a Bad Fit For Penn State

Record against top 25 opponents

Yes, Matt Rhule is a letterman from the Paterno era and has built a few programs (Temple, Baylor) from the bottom into winners.

However, Rhule comes with the same issues that James Franklin has, he can’t win the big games. Rhule owns a career record 2-23 against ranked opponents, and has not won against a ranked opponent since his tenure at Temple. At Baylor, Rhule posted an 0-11 record against ranked opponents.

Rhule’s failure to win the big games has continued at Nebraska, where he is 0-7 against ranked opponents.

Recruiting

Another reason that Rhule could be a poor fit for Penn State is his limitations in recruiting.

In three years at Nebraska, Rhule’s highest ranked class was the 2025 class at 20th overall. Outside of Dylan Raiola (whose uncle is on Rhule’s staff and father was a four-year letterman), Rhule has only signed two top 100 overall recruits during his tenure at Nebraska.

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Rhule’s recruiting classes have slightly improved, from 31 overall in 2023 to 23 overall in 2024 finally to a top 20 class in 2025. However, even with this slight improvement, Rhule has not shown the ability to recruit at a high enough level to take Penn State to a higher ceiling than James Franklin.

While Rhule has not had the luxury of the resources that he would have at Penn State, his track record against top teams and limited recruiting prowess still gives him a lower potential ceiling than other options as a head coach.

It makes no sense for Penn State to pay $56 million to fire James Franklin only to bring in another coach that has Franklin’s same fatal flaws and likely the same ceiling.

James Franklin on The Hot Seat: 3 Candidates Penn State Should Consider, One They Should Run From

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Robert Shields
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