Penn State Coaching Changes Spark Discussion
It’s important to be cautious when leaving a building, right? Just a little thought for the day.
NFL and college football analyst Todd McShay has remained supportive of Penn State’s head coach, James Franklin, even after the school’s decision to let him go amid a challenging season.
“I’m genuinely pleased with Penn State’s choice,” McShay shared in a conversation with Dan Dakich from Outkick. He expressed concerns about leadership styles focused on “image, selfishness, and personal agendas.” McShay believes that such traits can become apparent over time, and he remarked that Franklin seemed to have avoided facing the consequences for too long.
He also noted, “Sadly, some coaches prioritize their own interests above everything else.”
Matt Rhule, the former Panthers coach now leading the University of Nebraska, appears to be at the forefront of possible candidates for Franklin’s position, but McShay isn’t onboard with that idea. “Given his background at Penn State, I can’t say I’d support Matt Rhule,” he mentioned, though he later pointed out that Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline could be a solid option to consider.
Rhule’s connection to Penn State runs deep; he played linebacker there for three seasons and even volunteered as a coach under Joe Paterno back in 1998. However, he didn’t secure the head coaching role in the past, which might raise eyebrows.
The campus had quite the reaction when Franklin signed a massive $49 million deal to coach the team. It stirred quite a conversation among students and alumni.
Despite a decent overall record of 104-45 at Penn State, Franklin’s tenure ended on a low note. The Nittany Lions faced three straight defeats, two of which were notably against UCLA and Northwestern, leading to a somewhat disgraceful season in 2025.
Adding to the challenges, star quarterback Drew Allard, who was anticipated to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, faced a disappointing year marred by injury, complicating Penn State’s future.
