The sudden firing of James Franklin has sent shockwaves through Happy Valley, triggering a high-stakes search for a head coach capable of elevating Penn State to national championship contention. With a hefty buyout and a storied program at their disposal, the Nittany Lions are eyeing a diverse pool of candidates, from familiar alumni to the hottest names in college football.
The 2025 college football season took an unexpected turn for Penn State fans with the recent decision to part ways with head coach James Franklin. After a preseason ranking of No. 2, a brutal 3-3 start, including three consecutive losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern, proved to be the final straw for the Nittany Lions’ athletic department. Athletic Director Pat Kraft stated that the move was necessary to “advance us toward Big Ten and national championships,” signaling the program’s unwavering ambition.
Franklin’s tenure, spanning over 11 seasons, saw him accumulate a respectable 104-45 record, tying him for second in school history for victories. He led the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals just last season, where they fell 27-24 to Notre Dame. However, a persistent criticism throughout his time in State College was his teams’ struggles against highly-ranked opponents. Under Franklin, Penn State posted a disappointing 4-21 record against top-10 teams, including a 1-10 mark against Ohio State and 3-7 against Michigan, according to Yahoo Sports.
The decision to fire Franklin comes with a significant financial commitment, as Penn State is reportedly on the hook for a buyout between $49 million and $56 million. Despite this, the program’s robust resources and prestigious standing make it one of the most coveted coaching positions in the country. The immediate future sees longtime assistant and former Penn State player Terry Smith stepping in as interim head coach, tasked with salvaging the remaining six games of the season, a challenge made tougher by a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Drew Allar.
The Search Begins: Top Candidates to Lead the Nittany Lions
The coaching carousel is already in full swing, with a variety of names emerging as potential successors to Franklin. The list includes coaches with strong ties to Penn State, rising stars, and seasoned veterans from other Power 4 conferences.
Alumni and Former Staff: Connecting to the Penn State Family
- Matt Rhule (Nebraska Head Coach): Arguably the front-runner, Rhule is a Penn State alum who began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant for the Nittany Lions. He also has a strong connection with AD Pat Kraft from their time together at Temple. Rhule has a proven track record of orchestrating turnarounds at both Temple and Baylor, and his Cornhuskers are off to a 5-1 start in his third season. While he expressed commitment to Nebraska, his deep ties to Penn State and Kraft make him an undeniable contender. Rhule currently holds the best opening odds at +300, according to Field Level Media.
- Manny Diaz (Duke Head Coach): A well-respected figure in Happy Valley, Diaz served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator from 2022-23. Despite a challenging head coaching stint at Miami, he has rebuilt his reputation with a 13-6 record at Duke. His familiarity with the program and its recruiting landscape makes him an attractive option, though concerns about his overall head coaching record at a high-pressure program might linger.
- Jim Knowles (Penn State Defensive Coordinator): The current Penn State DC represents a potential continuity option. Knowles is a respected veteran coach with a national title at Ohio State on his resume and a strong defensive coordinator history at Oklahoma State. However, his past head coaching record of 26-34 at Cornell and his association with the Franklin era, particularly the defense’s performance in Week 6, could work against him.
Rising Stars and Proven Winners: The “Hot” Names
- Curt Cignetti (Indiana Head Coach): Without a doubt, Cignetti is one of the hottest names in college football. His Indiana Hoosiers are ranked No. 3 in the nation with an impressive 17-2 record over his first two seasons, highlighted by a recent win over Oregon. Kraft, who played at Indiana, has certainly noticed Cignetti’s success. The Pittsburgh native’s offensive prowess and ability to quickly transform a program are highly appealing, but the question remains whether he would leave his hero status at Indiana for the immense pressure of Penn State.
- Alex Golesh (South Florida Head Coach): Golesh is an up-and-coming offensive mind who has transformed South Florida into a potential AAC playoff gate-crasher with a 19-13 record. An Ohio State alum with Big Ten coaching experience at Illinois, he could bring a much-needed offensive makeover to Penn State. His relative inexperience as a head coach at the Power 4 level is his primary drawback.
- Matt Campbell (Iowa State Head Coach): Campbell’s name consistently appears in major coaching searches. With a 104-68 record and 10 bowl appearances, he has proven his ability to build a consistent program at Iowa State, earning three Big 12 Coach of the Year awards. The Ohio native might finally be swayed by the opportunity to lead a program with the resources and prestige of Penn State.
- Mike Elko (Texas A&M Head Coach): A New Jersey native who played at Penn, Elko could be a dark horse candidate. While leaving Texas A&M after just two seasons might seem a longshot given their resources, AD Pat Kraft could test the waters to see if the lure of a Big Ten powerhouse would pique his interest.
Other Intriguing Prospects
Beyond the primary contenders, several other names have surfaced in rumors and discussions:
- Brian Hartline (Ohio State Offensive Coordinator): Suggested by analyst Joel Klatt, Hartline is a highly regarded recruiter and offensive mind. While he lacks head coaching experience, he has been around top-tier programs, drawing comparisons to successful first-time head coaches like Dan Lanning and Kirby Smart.
- Kalen DeBoer (Alabama Head Coach): Mentioned as a “big name” that Penn State might attempt to poach, though a move from Alabama after a short, successful stint seems highly unlikely.
- Will Stein (Oregon Offensive Coordinator) & Fran Brown (Syracuse Head Coach): Both are considered “hot new names” in coaching circles, representing potential outside-the-box hires for a program looking for fresh leadership.
- Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss Head Coach): Kiffin’s name, often linked to major vacancies, has also appeared in early rumors surrounding the Penn State job.
The Road Ahead for Happy Valley
The next hire for Penn State will be crucial, not only for the team’s immediate performance but also for retaining its highly-touted recruiting classes. The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 2 in the preseason for a reason, boasting a roster with significant talent. The challenge for the new coach will be to galvanize the locker room, secure the future recruiting pipeline, and translate that talent into consistent victories against the Big Ten’s elite, ultimately fulfilling the program’s aspiration for national championships.
