Penn State Moves On from Coach James Franklin

The recent defeat to an undefeated UCLA team sparked discussions about head coach James Franklin’s future. This speculation intensified after the Nittany Lions suffered another setback against an unranked Northwestern team just a week later.

Penn State decided to part ways with Franklin after losing two consecutive games, especially considering they were favored to win by at least 25 points against Northwestern. This loss brought their record to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten.

Despite the financial implications of Franklin’s potential $50 million buyout, the university opted to make a change.

So, who could take over as Penn State’s new head coach? There are several candidates worth paying attention to, starting with Matt Rule, who seems like a fitting choice for the role.

Rule, currently at Nebraska, began his coaching journey as a walk-on linebacker under Joe Paterno. He moved up the ranks after serving as a volunteer assistant and later as a coach at Temple, where he achieved significant success.

Given his history with Penn State and his current position under athletic director Patrick Kraft, Rule has the potential to lead the program. He has won at both Baylor and Temple, and now, with some NFL experience, he could be an attractive option for the Nittany Lions.

If he teams up with quarterback Dylan Raiola, that could be a game-changer.

Another strong contender is Curt Cignetti, a coach who has quickly gained recognition. After taking the reins at Indiana University last season, he led them to the College Football Playoff, turning around a program that had gone 3-9 the previous year. As the Hoosiers remain undefeated at 6-0, many wonder whether he might consider Penn State if he’s offered the job.

Then there’s Matt Campbell from Iowa State. He’s had his name linked to various job openings for almost a decade but has stayed put even after signing a new contract that keeps him at Iowa State until 2032. Still, some speculate if it might be time for him to move to a more prominent program.

If Kraft opts for continuity, promoting Terry Smith from within could be a smart move. Smith, a former player who excelled as a receiver, has been with the program for years and currently serves as associate head coach and cornerbacks coach. He may help sustain the talent on the roster.

Lastly, there’s Manny Diaz, who recently served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator. While he has a solid defensive track record, his lack of success as a head coach raises questions, particularly given his record at Miami and Duke.

There’s also Brent Key at Georgia Tech, who has led the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back bowl games and currently has them ranked 12th this season. If they keep winning, he might find himself in consideration for other lucrative positions, including Penn State.

Lastly, keep an eye on Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State. He’s only in his 30s but has already made quite an impact as a head coach. His background on the offensive side could attract Penn State, especially if they are looking to revamp their offensive approach.

As these changes unfold, it will be interesting to see which direction Penn State ultimately takes in finding their next head coach.