After firing James Franklin, the Nittanylions are now looking for a replacement. Franklin’s 12-year tenure was marked by success but also frustration in big games. The Nittany Lions are seeking a new leader after firing James Franklin a little more than two weeks ago, ending a 12-year tenure defined by steady success but mounting frustration in big games.Once a preseason national championship hopeful, Penn State stumbled with three straight losses — including setbacks to Northwestern and UCLA — prompting athletic director Pat Kraft to make arguably the biggest move yet in the 2025 coaching carousel.With Rhule and Cignetti staying put in the Big Ten, the program’s focus could turn to established winners such as Texas A&M’s Mike Elko and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, among others expected to draw early interest. State College’s new coach will inherit a well-resourced, stable program and be under pressure to move up in the Big Ten.
Matt Rhule extends contract with Nebraska amid Penn State rumors
Robby Kalland
Texas A&M coach Mike ElkoSimilar to Rhule, Mike Elko has built a reputation for stabilizing programs in short order. After posting a 16-9 record in two seasons at Duke, he returned to Texas A&M and has the Aggies trending toward a College Football Playoff breakthrough following the Jimbo Fisher years. Elko, who is known for his defensive background as well as his detail-oriented style of play, would bring a disciplined approach to a Penn State squad that had often fallen short in crucial moments under James Franklin. Elko, a Penn grad with roots in the Northeast, also has a regional connection.
Joe Brady, the offensive coordinator for Buffalo BillsJoe Brady is still known as a leader in the college football world after his explosive 2019 season at LSU. Josh Allen is the quarterback he continues to work with as he takes over the Buffalo Bills’ offense. Penn State may see Brady as an attractive option if they prioritize offensive innovation and the development of quarterbacks after Drew Allar’s stagnant progress. Jeff Brohm is the Louisville coach. Would Jeff Brohm consider leaving his almamater to face the pressures in Penn State’s Happy Valley? Brohm is a proven winner. He has won with less at Purdue and Louisville. Matt Campell is a top candidate for the big time jobs in coaching. Matt Campell is always on the list of candidates for big-time jobs, especially in the Big Ten. However, despite a decade-long streak, he has not left Iowa State. Campbell has been responsible for the Cyclones’ best seasons and just made his second trip to a Big 12 championship game. Campbell redefined the ceiling for Iowa State Football and could do the exact same thing at Penn State, if he were given the chance.
James Franklin’s fate as a Penn State quarterback was sealed by the failure of Drew Allar to develop into a QB.
Brian Dohn
Duke coach Manny Diaz Manny Diaz played a key role in the Penn State coaching team just two years before. He was the defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions and was a Broyles Award semi-finalist in 2023. Diaz’s coaching experience is mixed. From 2019-21 he struggled at Miami, but his Blue Devils have played well for one and a quarter seasons. His familiarity with the system and his recruiting abilities at Penn State could lead to another tenure in Happy Valley. Lance Leipold, Kansas Coach Lance Leipold’s impressive tenure with the Jayhawks led to him being considered for other jobs. Kansas, which was the weakest power conference team when Leipold took over the job, is now a much more respectable program and has competed against the other Big 12 teams throughout Leipold’s tenure. The nine-win season in 2023 marked the peak of his career. Leipold’s ability to succeed at different levels has made him a well-respected name in the industry. Six Division III championships, appearances in two MAC Championship Games at Buffalo, and a successful run at Kansas make up a solid track record that will earn him a spot at a top-tier program.
Penn State has been a part of the Vanderbilt Pipeline for many years. Penn State plucked Franklin from Nashville after his historic 3-year run with the Commodores. It is therefore only natural that the latest Vanderbilt coach prodigy will emerge as a name worth watching. Clark Lea has been Vanderbilt’s best coach since Franklin. The program is poised to have one of its most successful campaigns ever, one year after its first win since Franklin’s record-breaking 9-4 season of 2013. Penn State might not want to hire another Vanderbilt head coach because Franklin’s failings are still too recent. Lea is a fantastic candidate who has quickly earned a place in a premier program. UNLV coach Dan Mullen Florida’s season ended in disappointment, but Dan Mullen led the Gators to a SEC East championship in 2020 after twice reaching the double-digit victory mark in four years. Mullen was also responsible for four of Mississippi State’s ten best seasons. Mullen, who had been away from coaching for three years, is now back at UNLV and has made a strong start with a 6-0 record. Mullen is from Pennsylvania and has enough credentials to be accepted back into a Power Four Program. The Nittany Lions could make the decision.
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2025-10-30 17:10:42
