In a move that's sent shockwaves through the college football world, Penn State has reportedly parted ways with Head Coach James Franklin! Yes, you read that right. After a series of unexpected losses, including a particularly stinging defeat against Northwestern, Athletic Director Pat Kraft apparently decided a change was needed, even with a hefty $45 million buyout looming. This begs the question: Who will lead the Nittany Lions next? It's clear Kraft must have a solid succession plan in mind.
Two names immediately jump to the forefront as potential front-runners, and both have significant ties to the Big Ten conference and the surrounding region. Let's dive into who these coaches are and what makes them such compelling candidates.
First, we have Curt Cignetti. While Penn State was reeling from their loss, Cignetti was orchestrating a stunning upset of his own, leading Indiana to a victory over Oregon! This 64-year-old Pittsburgh native has been nothing short of a revelation in Bloomington. He brought in talented players from his previous stint at James Madison, built a strong coaching staff, and completely revitalized the Hoosiers' program. Cignetti talked a big game, and then delivered even bigger wins. He even led Indiana to the College Football Playoff in his first year and boasts an impressive 17-2 record so far in his second season. If Penn State is looking for a splash hire, Cignetti certainly fits the bill.
The way his Indiana team dismantled Oregon, racking up six sacks against a quarterback who was previously barely touched, and putting up 30 points in Autzen Stadium, speaks volumes about his coaching prowess. In fact, some might argue that Indiana's win over Oregon is more impressive than any victory Penn State has achieved in recent years. But here's where it gets controversial... Cignetti's success comes at a price. If he were to leave Indiana before December 1st, he'd owe the university a cool $13 million. That figure drops to $10 million if he departs after that date. Is Penn State willing to pay that price for what some are calling a 'program-changing' coach?
The other leading candidate is Matt Rhule, the current head coach at Nebraska. And this is where things get interesting, because Rhule has a strong pre-existing relationship with Penn State's Athletic Director, Pat Kraft. They worked together when Kraft was the AD at Temple and Rhule was the head coach of the Owls.
"Matt loves Pat, and Pat loves Matt," one industry insider told The Athletic, highlighting the close bond between the two.
Rhule, 50, led Temple to consecutive 10-win seasons in 2015 and 2016, including a memorable 27-10 victory over Penn State in 2015. He's also a former Nittany Lions linebacker himself and did impressive work at Baylor in the face of considerable challenges. He has deep roots in the Happy Valley community.
Rhule is currently in his third season at Nebraska, and the Huskers have shown consistent improvement under his leadership, going from 5-7 to 7-6, and currently standing at 5-1 this year. And this is the part most people miss... While Nebraska seems to be trending upwards, the allure of returning to his alma mater, coupled with the opportunity to reunite with his former boss, Kraft, might be too tempting for Rhule to resist. Leaving Nebraska would cost him $5 million.
If Penn State is unable to secure either Cignetti or Rhule, the coaching search becomes considerably more challenging. One name that surfaced is Manny Diaz, currently the head coach at Duke. Diaz made a strong impression within the Penn State program during his two years (2022-23) as Franklin's defensive coordinator. While his three seasons as Miami's head coach yielded a 21-15 record with one Top 25 season, his tenure at Duke has been even more impressive, with the Blue Devils going 13-6 overall and 8-3 in ACC play.
Other potential options include Vanderbilt's Clark Lea, who has been doing impressive work at his alma mater. The 43-year-old has a strong academic background and has led Vandy to a 5-1 record this season after guiding the Commodores to a bowl game last year.
Iowa State's Matt Campbell, 45, is another highly regarded coach. He led Iowa State to its best season in school history in 2020, finishing No. 9 nationally. While the program experienced a dip after that, it has since rebounded. Iowa State currently stands at 5-2 this season despite significant injuries in their secondary. Campbell has achieved considerable success at a program that has historically struggled. Iowa State hasn't won a conference championship since 1912, but they've played for the Big 12 title twice under Campbell's leadership. But here's where it gets controversial... Rumors suggest that Campbell might be more inclined towards an NFL coaching position if he were to leave Iowa State. However, the Penn State job is undeniably a prestigious one that could sway his decision.
So, who do you think Penn State should hire? Is Cignetti's immediate success worth the hefty buyout? Would Rhule's familiarity with the program and Kraft make him the safer bet? Or should Penn State take a chance on a rising star like Diaz, Lea, or Campbell? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Who would you want to see leading the Nittany Lions next season, and why?
