Shedding to a winless UCLA staff began the hypothesis.
Shedding the subsequent week to an unranked Northwestern staff ended it.
Penn State parted methods with head coach James Franklin the day after the Nittany Lions misplaced their second straight recreation regardless of getting into the competition as at the least a 25-point favourite. After shedding to UCLA two weeks in the past — a staff that had not even led at any level this season earlier than that recreation — Penn State misplaced to Northwestern at residence to drop to 3-3 total, and 0-3 within the Huge Ten.
Regardless of the huge buyout in Franklin’s contract rumored to be round $50 million, the college has determined to make a change.
Who could possibly be the subsequent head coach at Penn State? Listed here are some candidates to observe, beginning with maybe the more than likely possibility.
So far as match and tradition go, there won’t be a greater possibility than Matt Rhule.
The present Nebraska head coach was a walk-on participant below Joe Paterno as a linebacker, and after beginning his teaching profession as a volunteer assistant for the Nittany Lions, he ultimately labored his approach by means of the ranks, together with an extended stint at Temple, the place he went from a defensive position coach to go coach.
Underneath athletic director Patrick Kraft, who now serves in that capability at Penn State.
Rhule has gained on the school degree at each Baylor and Temple, and with the Cornhuskers at 5-1, he’s put that program in line for a giant season in his third marketing campaign. He now has some NFL expertise to associate with his time within the Huge Ten.
And if he can get Dylan Raiola to tag alongside ..
There won’t be a warmer head coach candidate proper now than Curt Cignetti.
After taking up at Indiana final season, Cignetti secured a Faculty Soccer Playoff spot for a program that went 3-9 the yr earlier than he arrived. Now the Hoosiers are 6-0, coming off an enormous win on the street in opposition to Oregon, and look primed not only for a spot within the Faculty Soccer Playoff, however even perhaps a nationwide title.
And it simply so occurs that Kraft performed his school ball within the pink and white.
Would Cignetti go away Indiana after simply two seasons, or select to show the Hoosiers right into a perennial powerhouse?
Matt Campbell, Iowa State
For what looks as if a decade, Matt Campbell’s identify has been related to each obtainable job, together with openings on the subsequent degree. However Campbell has remained in Ames whereas spurning potential jobs, together with turning down an interview with the New York Jets and a reported provide from the Detroit Lions.
However you surprise if this could be the time for the 45-year-old Campbell to make the transfer to a giant program, regardless of inking a brand new contract with Iowa State this previous August, one which retains him with the college by means of the 2032 season.
If Kraft has considerations over continuity, he would possibly look to advertise from inside.
Which may make Terry Smith the most suitable choice for Penn State.
Smith has been part of this system since his days as a participant, when he caught 108 passes for 1,825 yards and 12 touchdowns as a large receiver from 1988 by means of 1991. He returned to campus as a defensive coach below Franklin, and is presently the staff’s affiliate head coach and cornerbacks coach, whereas additionally serving as Penn State’s defensive recruiting coordinator.
On condition that the Nittany Lions constructed a roster they believed would contend for a title, Smith could be the best way to maintain that roster in State Faculty.
If Kraft needs to go down the street of bringing somebody residence and passes on Rhule and Smith, Manny Diaz could possibly be an alternative choice.
Diaz was Penn State’s defensive coordinator from 2022 by means of 2023 and constructed a robust group on that facet of the ball. He was additionally a semifinalist for the Broyles Award in 2023, given to the nation’s high assistant coach.
He is aware of this system and has loved success constructing defenses. The query mark could be his lack of success as a head coach, given his 21-15 file at Miami from 2019 by means of 2021, and his present 13-6 mark at Duke.
In addition to his hyperlinks to Franklin’s tenure.
After taking up at Georgia Tech halfway by means of the 2022 season, Brent Key has delivered back-to-back bowl campaigns for the Yellow Jackets.
Now, Georgia Tech is 6-0 on the season, presently ranked twelfth within the newest AP Ballot, their highest rating since they completed the 2014 season at No. 8. The Yellow Jackets have only one staff left on their schedule that’s presently ranked — their annual conflict with Georgia to shut out the common season — and they’re in place for a spot within the ACC title recreation.
That might get Key a search for a number of jobs, beginning with Penn State.
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
Regardless of Franklin’s background on the offensive facet of the soccer, for those who spend time speaking to any fan of Penn State, they are going to rapidly pivot the dialogue in direction of their hope that the subsequent model of the Nittany Lions has a greater offensive philosophy.
Which may make Kenny Dillingham their perfect candidate.
Dillingham’s teaching journey started when he was nonetheless a senior in highschool, as he moved into teaching after tearing his ACL. After working with the junior varsity staff at Chaparral Excessive College for just a few seasons, he then took over because the varsity offensive coordinator.
He was solely 21 years previous on the time.
On his method to Arizona State, Dillingham made stops at Memphis, Auburn, Florida State, and Oregon, serving as an offensive coordinator at every of these 4 colleges. Arizona State was his first head teaching job and he has gone 18-14 since taking up, together with a spot in final yr’s Faculty Soccer Playoff.
He would possibly simply be 35, but when Penn State goes for a splashy rent that additionally is aware of the offensive facet of the ball, he could be the most effective candidate.
