Penn State Seeks New Head Coach After Franklin’s Departure
Penn State has officially moved on from head coach James Franklin as of October 12, shortly after the Nittany Lions’ defeat to Northwestern. Following his exit, Franklin accepted a position at Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, Penn State is actively searching for a replacement to fill the vacant head coach role. Reports have emerged linking Brian Daboll, who was recently let go by the New York Giants, to the Penn State coaching job.
During a recent discussion, renowned college football coach Nick Saban expressed his support for Daboll, labeling him as a “great addition” to the Penn State program. This endorsement carries weight, as Daboll previously worked under Saban when he served as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, notably during their 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship run.
Saban highlighted Daboll’s record, mentioning their successful collaboration and applauding his accomplishments as a coach in the NFL. “I love Brian. He’s done a great job with us here. Offensive coordinator, we won championships because of him calling the plays,” Saban remarked on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” referencing their shared success with teams like the New England Patriots.
Before his stint with the Giants, Daboll had a solid career as an assistant coach, contributing to several teams including the Patriots, Jets, Browns, Dolphins, Chiefs, and Bills. Saban acknowledged that Daboll faced challenges with the Giants, but remained confident in his ability as a coach. “He’s a smart guy. He’s a great recruiter. He has a good relationship with the players,” Saban noted, emphasizing Daboll’s strong offensive acumen and potential to assemble a capable coaching staff.
Recent reports suggested that Daboll is interested in the head coaching position at Penn State, with some former NFL players vouching for him given their ties to the university.
Despite a narrow loss to No. 2 Indiana in Week 11, Penn State pulled off victories in their past two games. They now prepare to face Rutgers in their last regular-season matchup.
