The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting. Penn State's coaching search is dragging on, leaving fans in a state of anxious anticipation. But is this prolonged search actually hurting the program? Let's dive into what's happening behind the scenes and explore the potential consequences.
First, a quick recap: Remember the frenzy of coaching changes that swept through college football recently? The SEC, in particular, saw a flurry of activity, with schools scrambling to fill vacancies. We even saw Lane Kiffin rumors swirling around LSU, creating a domino effect of potential moves. But Penn State? They remained surprisingly quiet amidst the chaos.
It's been 50 days (as of Monday) since James Franklin's departure from Penn State six games into the season. Ironically, Franklin himself has already landed a new gig at Virginia Tech and even managed to flip some former Penn State recruits! Ouch.
While Nittany Lions fans are starting to decorate for the holidays, rival Michigan State swiftly fired their coach and announced a replacement within a mere 24 hours! Talk about efficiency. And this is the part most people miss: the speed at which Michigan State acted puts even more pressure on Penn State. Why the delay?
The biggest news coming out of Happy Valley is the emergence of BYU coach Kalani Sitake as a strong candidate. But even this development doesn't seem to be pointing towards an imminent resolution. It seems like we're in for a long wait. Maybe call it Antsy Valley these days, right?
So, what exactly do we know about Penn State's coaching search, which is being spearheaded by athletic director Pat Kraft? Well, that's where things get a little murky. Compared to other high-profile searches, there's been a noticeable lack of reliable information leaking out of Penn State.
Here's what we think we know: Penn State has reportedly had some level of contact with several coaches, including a few names that might surprise you. These include: Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald (who, as you know, ended up at Michigan State); James Madison coach Bob Chesney (who's now heading to UCLA); former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll; and Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden, a Penn State alum who was also considered for the job back in 2014 when Franklin was hired.
Now, consider this: If Penn State truly wanted Brian Daboll, what's stopping them from making it happen? The fact that they haven't already suggests either a lack of serious interest on their part or Daboll's hesitation. But here's where it gets controversial... Could Daboll's NFL experience make him hesitant to return to the college game? It's a different world, and not everyone is cut out for both.
Interim coach Terry Smith, a longtime Franklin assistant and former Penn State player, has also made a case for himself by leading the team to three consecutive victories and securing bowl eligibility. His gesture of wearing a "409" button to honor Joe Paterno certainly hasn't gone unnoticed by fans. This is a subtle way of showing that he understands the history and tradition of the program.
Other names that have been floated around include Louisville's Jeff Brohm, Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz, and Vanderbilt's Clark Lea. However, Drinkwitz and Lea recently signed contract extensions, seemingly taking them out of the running.
There was also some speculation about Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer potentially jumping ship to Penn State if the Crimson Tide faltered. But a source close to DeBoer has dismissed these rumors, stating that he has no interest in the Penn State job. Of course, things might have been different if Alabama had lost the Iron Bowl and missed out on the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff. But as it stands, Alabama is in a strong position regardless of what happens in the SEC title game against Georgia.
And let's not forget the rumors about Tennessee's Josh Heupel being a potential "mystery candidate." But that seems to be nothing more than wishful thinking on the part of Vols fans.
Ultimately, Kalani Sitake's name is the only one that has consistently gained traction. He was even asked about the Penn State rumors during a press conference leading up to the Big 12 title game against Texas Tech. His response? "I’m all about the Big 12 championship and keeping our team focused on that. So I’m going to avoid all the distractions."
A source with knowledge of the search has confirmed that Sitake is indeed among a small group of candidates being considered by Penn State. However, the source spoke anonymously because the school is keeping its internal deliberations private.
It certainly appears that Penn State is taking its time with this decision. And this is the part most people miss... this isn't just about finding any coach, they are looking for the right coach to lead the program for years to come.
While some of the other coaching hires in the SEC and elsewhere have been fairly predictable, the feeling in the industry is that Penn State is the one school that could potentially make a truly surprising hire. Are they aiming for a wildcard pick that no one sees coming?
But is this extended search becoming a problem? The answer is yes, though the severity depends on how much weight you place on one high school signing class in the transfer portal era.
The early signing period for high school recruits is fast approaching. Penn State is relying on interim coach Terry Smith, who is known as a strong recruiter, to hold the current class together. But the situation isn't ideal. Penn State's class has dwindled to just six verbal commitments. This is a critical point: a delayed coaching hire can significantly impact recruiting, potentially setting the program back in the long run.
So, what do you think? Is Penn State's methodical approach the right strategy, or are they risking too much by waiting? Will Sitake be the next head coach, or will they pull a surprise move no one expects? And most importantly, how much damage is this delay doing to their recruiting efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
