More than 50 days after parting ways with James Franklin, Penn State’s coaching search has zeroed in on a name that keeps resurfacing: Brian Daboll.
At first glance, it’s an unconventional fit. Daboll’s head coaching experience is limited to the NFL, where he posted a 20-40-1 record with the New York Giants.
He’s never led a college program. But when you dig a little deeper, the connection starts to make a lot more sense-especially if you trace it back to Buffalo.
Daboll’s four-year stint as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator still carries weight in State College, and not just because of the numbers-though those were impressive. In 2020, the Bills averaged 31.3 points per game, a high-octane attack that helped turn Josh Allen from a raw, toolsy prospect into a legitimate MVP candidate.
That kind of quarterback development isn’t just a bonus for Penn State-it’s the blueprint. After another underwhelming offensive season under Franklin, the Nittany Lions are looking for someone who can modernize and elevate their attack.
Daboll’s track record suggests he might be that guy.
There’s also the Terry Pegula factor. The Bills’ owner is a Penn State alum and one of the university’s most influential donors. His connection to Daboll is no small footnote in this process-it's a bridge between Daboll’s NFL success and the college program now looking for a spark.
As the coaching carousel spins, Penn State has seen several of its top targets fall off the board. Kalani Sitake is staying put at BYU.
Eli Drinkwitz, Matt Rhule, and Curt Cignetti have all signed extensions. Jeff Brohm has reaffirmed his commitment to Louisville.
Even Brian Hartline, Ohio State’s offensive coordinator and a rising name in coaching circles, chose to take the job at South Florida instead. That’s left the Nittany Lions with a shrinking list of proven offensive minds who also bring national credibility.
Daboll, despite his lack of college head coaching experience, checks several of the boxes Penn State is looking for. He’s got the offensive résumé.
He’s got regional ties. And he’s got backing from some powerful voices in the sport.
One of the loudest? Nick Saban.
The Alabama coach worked with Daboll during the Crimson Tide’s 2017 national title run, when Daboll was calling plays in Tuscaloosa. Saban has publicly vouched for Daboll’s offensive mind, recruiting ability, and leadership skills.
That kind of endorsement carries serious weight in college football circles.
Of course, there are still questions. How would an NFL veteran adjust to the realities of college football in 2025?
NIL, the transfer portal, the nonstop grind of recruiting-those are all part of the job now, and they’re not small hurdles. But Daboll’s ties to Pegula, his success in Buffalo, and his familiarity with the region give him a cleaner runway than most NFL coaches would have.
In a search that’s been defined by swings and misses, Penn State may finally be circling back to a candidate who offers both upside and familiarity. The road to the next era in Happy Valley might just run through Buffalo.