With the coaching carousel in full spin, one name that’s starting to gain traction in connection with the Penn State vacancy is Tennessee’s Josh Heupel.
Penn State, still searching for a full-time replacement after parting ways with James Franklin earlier this season, now owns arguably the most high-profile opening in college football. And while there’s been no official movement linking Heupel to Happy Valley, his name is showing up in some interesting places.
Prediction markets like Kalshi currently list Heupel among the top contenders for the job. As of now, he’s trading at 18 cents per contract - which essentially puts him at 5-to-1 odds to land the gig.
For context, contracts that correctly predict the hire pay out at $1. While these markets are far from definitive, they can often reflect where the momentum - or at least the speculation - is heading.
It’s worth noting that these odds can swing quickly, especially with other big names in the mix. Former Alabama offensive coordinator and ex-Giants head coach Brian Daboll is getting serious attention, and BYU’s Kalani Sitake is also in the conversation.
Still, Heupel’s résumé makes him an intriguing candidate. Since taking over at Tennessee in 2021, he’s led the Vols through one of their most successful stretches in recent memory. While the 2025 campaign saw them win just eight games, the three seasons prior saw Tennessee average 10 wins - a level of consistency the program hadn’t seen since the Phillip Fulmer era.
Heupel’s up-tempo offensive philosophy and ability to develop quarterbacks have turned heads in the SEC and beyond. He’s modernized Tennessee’s attack and helped make the Vols a legitimate contender again, even in the brutally competitive SEC landscape.
As of now, there’s no official timetable for when Penn State plans to make its hire. But with the early signing period approaching and the transfer portal heating up, the clock is ticking. Whether Heupel ends up making the jump or stays in Knoxville to continue building on what he’s started, his name is firmly in the mix - and for good reason.