The abrupt firing of James Franklin has sent shockwaves through the college football world and left Penn State scrambling for a new head coach. But who will step into this high-pressure role? The search is on, and the stakes are high.
A Shocking Departure and a $45 Million Buyout
The story began with a bombshell: Penn State dismissed Franklin after a series of disappointing losses, including a stunning defeat at the hands of UCLA and a loss to Northwestern, a massive underdog. This move left the university on the hook for a staggering $45 million buyout, indicating that Athletic Director Pat Kraft has a strategy in place for the upcoming coaching search.
Two Front-Runners Emerge
As the search commences, two names stand out as potential successors. The first is Curt Cignetti, the 64-year-old Pittsburgh native who has transformed Indiana's football program. Cignetti's Hoosiers pulled off a massive upset at Oregon while Penn State was losing to Northwestern. He has a proven track record, leading Indiana to the College Football Playoff in his first year and boasting a 17-2 record midway through his second season. Cignetti's ability to elevate the program, as evidenced by the dominant win over Oregon, makes him a tempting choice. But there's a catch: he'd owe Indiana a hefty $13 million if he left before December 1st, dropping to $10 million after that.
The second front-runner is Matt Rhule, a familiar face to Kraft. They previously worked together at Temple, where Rhule led the Owls to consecutive 10-win seasons, including a notable victory over Penn State in 2015. A former Nittany Lions linebacker, Rhule also excelled at Baylor in challenging circumstances. His deep connections to Happy Valley could make him a popular choice. However, Rhule's current contract with Nebraska would require him to pay a $5 million buyout if he were to leave.
Beyond the Obvious Choices
If Penn State fails to secure either of these top candidates, the search may become more challenging. One name that has surfaced is Manny Diaz, the former defensive coordinator under Franklin at Penn State. Diaz impressed during his two years with the program and had a decent stint as Miami's head coach. His recent success at Duke, where the Blue Devils have gone 13-6 overall and 8-3 in ACC play, could make him an attractive option. Another candidate is Clark Lea of Vanderbilt, who has shown promise at his alma mater, leading the Commodores to a 5-1 record this season after a bowl appearance last year. Iowa State's Matt Campbell is also in the mix, having led the Cyclones to their best season in school history in 2020, although the NFL is rumored to be his more likely next step.
And this is where it gets intriguing: could Penn State opt for a less conventional choice? The university's recent struggles and the hefty buyout have made this a high-risk, high-reward situation. Will they play it safe with a proven coach or take a chance on an up-and-coming star? The decision will undoubtedly spark debate among fans and analysts alike. What do you think? Who should be the next head coach at Penn State, and why?
