Penn State’s Coaching Chaos: Searching for Stability as Signing Day Looms
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks in the college football coaching carousel, but few programs have had a rougher ride than Penn State. The Nittany Lions made a bold mid-season move, parting ways with longtime head coach James Franklin - a decision that sent shockwaves through the Big Ten and beyond.
Despite a track record of success, Franklin’s inability to win the biggest games with one of the most talented rosters in the country ultimately led to his dismissal. This was a team with championship aspirations that barely scraped together a bowl appearance.
That kind of underachievement forced Penn State’s hand.
Now, as the dust settles around the country with major programs locking in their next head coaches, Penn State still finds itself without a clear direction. Every marquee job has been filled.
Even Michigan State moved quickly, hiring a replacement for Jonathan Smith almost as soon as the news of his departure broke. It’s been a fast-moving market, and Penn State has been left standing without a chair.
Meanwhile, Franklin has already landed on his feet, though Penn State is still trying to figure out who’s next. And with Early Signing Day just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Franklin, now on the outside looking in, is reportedly working hard to flip some of the recruits he helped bring to Happy Valley. That’s a gut punch for a program already reeling.
The latest buzz has Penn State zeroing in on BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. Sitake has done solid work in Provo and is well-respected across the sport, but the question is whether he’s ready for the pressure cooker that is Big Ten football - especially at a place like Penn State, where expectations are sky high.
If this is indeed the direction Penn State is heading, it’s a gamble. And right now, the program can’t afford another misstep.
Elsewhere, the coaching carousel continues to spin. Kentucky has made a splash by hiring Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as its next head coach.
Stein’s offensive acumen has turned heads, and now he gets his shot to run the show in the SEC. California, meanwhile, is reportedly bringing in Oregon’s defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi to lead their program - another big hire out West.
There’s also plenty of movement on the Group of Five front. Ed Orgeron is rumored to be in the mix for the Tulane job, while South Florida - located in Jon Gruden’s hometown - could be eyeing a headline-grabbing hire of its own.
UCLA is reportedly set to bring in Bob Chesney from James Madison, looking to replicate the kind of turnaround Indiana pulled off in recent years. Chesney’s rise through the coaching ranks has been impressive, and now he gets his shot at a Power Five program.
Recruiting-wise, all eyes in Ann Arbor are on Julian Walker. The highly touted 4/5-star defensive end has been committed to Michigan, but South Carolina continues to make a strong push.
He was in town last weekend, and Michigan fans are hoping he saw the clear opportunity for immediate playing time off the edge. With Signing Day just days away, Walker’s decision will be one of the major storylines to watch.
In the transfer portal, Colorado true freshman linebacker Mantrez Walker is on the move. Interestingly, he was once committed to Michigan, so there’s some history there.
Michigan State is also dealing with a big loss, as star wide receiver Nick Marsh has entered the portal. Whoever lands Marsh will be getting a dynamic playmaker - and if you’re a fan of symmetry, the idea of Marsh at WR, Marshall at RB, and Marshall at TE is a fun one to imagine.
As the coaching dominoes continue to fall and the transfer portal fills up, one thing is clear: this offseason isn’t slowing down anytime soon. For Penn State, though, the urgency is real. They need a leader - and fast - before the program risks losing more than just recruits.