Despite a positive 12-year run at Penn State, James Franklin ultimately fell short of delivering what defines college football’s elite – a national championship. The chants of “fire Franklin” that echoed throughout Beaver Stadium grew louder as the young season progressed. It was nothing short of a referendum on a program that had plateaued. It also opened one of the most consequential coaching searches in college football.
This search is not just about resumés. It is about identity as Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft has promised to cast a wide net. Kraft must balance urgency with precision and clarity.
There is no denying that Penn State is at a fork in the turf. In this new era of college football where NIL deals and transfer mobility shapes the scoreboard as much as rosters and playbooks, Penn State must choose. Will the program double down on tradition and hand the reins to interim head coach Terry Smith or chase a visionary who can catapult it into the pantheon of college football’s elite.
Franklin’s departure has triggered a recruiting crisis as the Nittany Lions have lost multiple high-profile commitments of the early signing period that arrives December 3. Moreover, the transfer portal threatens to gut the roster come January.
The 2026 class is unraveling and without a coach in place by early December it may be unsalvageable costing Penn State both recruitment and roster retention. Yet rushing the process risks missing out on top-tier candidates still coaching through the postseason.
The game is no longer your daddy’s college football. Coaches must not only deal with players, coaches, alumni and the almighty boosters and zealous fans, but also have solid recruiting pipelines and navigate the complexities of NIL and the transfer portal. The right coach will be expected to usher in immediate success, while the wrong hire could set the program back years.
The coaching carousel draws a wide range of candidates from proven program builders to under-the-radar innovators who include Mike Elko (Texas A&M). With the Aggies undefeated and Elko’s success at Duke combined with his SEC experience makes him a contender though the postseason complicates things.
Kalen DeBoer (Alabama): DeBoer’s offensive prowess and success at Washington and Alabama make him a standout candidate.
Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills): Brady, the mastermind behind LSU’s 2019 offensive, brings NFL pedigree and Penn State ties, but has no head coaching experience.
Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri) Delivers results despite limited resources who would bring with him an inventive offensive.
Brian Hartline (Ohio State): Known as a first-rate recruiter and for successful player development, Hartline has never been a head coach.
Justin Lustig (Penn State): This Erie, Pennsylvanianative and former D-II Coach of the Year at Edinboro and his excellent special team’s coaching makes him a viable internal candidate.
Bob Chesney (James Madison): A Pennsylvania Coal Region native, Chesney is building a powerhouse at JMU and has had success at every level earning him national recognition and endorsements from key Penn State alumni.
Matt Campbell (Iowa State): Widely respected for his ability to build competitive programs despite limited resources, Campbell has earned a reputation for strategic excellence and leadership.
Terry Smith (Interim Head Coach) The longtime assistant and former player has an intimate understanding of the program and a strong rapport with the players makes him a compelling candidate.
How Kraft manages his business will define the next decade of Penn State football. The college football calendar has key windows that he must navigate.
From Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, the regular season ends and a hire before the early signing period (Dec. 3–5) would allow the new coach to salvage recruiting. From Dec. 6 – Dec. 18, coaching candidates in conference title games but not the College Football Playoff (CFP) would be available. Then from Dec. 21 – Jan. 2, all coaches eliminated from the CFP are now available that also happens to overlap with the transfer portal window (Jan. 2–16).
If Penn State does not have a head coach by early January, it enters the transfer portal rudderless.
The next head coach steps into a program built to chase national titles annually, not occasionally. He will need fluency in the transfer portal and a sharp eye for NIL strategy. But it’s not just about player acquisitions; it is about development, cohesion, and winning.
The Nittany Lion brand is bruised but for the right coach the opportunity is immense.
