Fifty days have passed since Penn State parted ways with James Franklin, and the Nittany Lions are still without a new head coach. With the regular season now in the rearview mirror and the coaching carousel spinning at full tilt, the search in Happy Valley remains one of the most intriguing - and unsettled - in the country.
Plenty of big names have been scooped up, extended, or ruled out, but the list of potential candidates still has some intriguing possibilities. Here’s where things stand as December begins and Penn State fans continue to wait for their next football leader.
Who’s Off the Board?
It’s been a whirlwind of activity across college football, and several names once linked to the Penn State job are now officially out of the running.
Bob Chesney (James Madison) and Jon Sumrall (Tulane) have both landed new gigs. Chesney is reportedly heading to UCLA on a five-year deal, while Sumrall is taking over at Florida.
Neither was likely a top-tier option for Penn State, especially given Athletic Director Pat Kraft’s preference for a Power Four hire. Still, their departures thin the pool.
Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri) and Clark Lea (Vanderbilt) were both considered serious candidates at one point, but extensions signed last week have taken them off the board. Drinkwitz’s work at Missouri has drawn praise, and Lea’s steadying hand at Vanderbilt made him a name to watch - but both are staying put.
Then there are the long shots - Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Jeff Brohm (Louisville), and Brian Hartline (Ohio State). DeBoer just capped a big win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl, which all but locks him in at Alabama. Hartline is reportedly in the mix for the Kentucky job, and Brohm, while not officially extended yet, appears to be trending toward staying at Louisville.
Terry Smith, Penn State’s interim head coach, had a brief wave of momentum following a strong finish to the season, including a dominant win over Rutgers. He’s well-liked by players and fans alike and even got a formal interview.
But at this point, it seems unlikely he’ll be the permanent choice. If Kraft intended to go that route, the announcement probably would’ve happened already - especially with National Signing Day approaching.
Josh Heupel (Tennessee) had a brief moment in the rumor mill, but quickly shut it down. He reportedly told On3’s Chris Low that he’s not interested in the Penn State job. After an 8-4 season in Knoxville, Heupel seems content to stay with the Vols.
Who’s Still in Play?
Despite the shrinking list, there are still a few names to keep an eye on - some new, some familiar.
Kalani Sitake (BYU)
Sitake is the newest name gaining traction. College football analyst Josh Pate and former Penn State tight end Adam Breneman both hinted at a “mystery candidate” last week, and many believe that mystery man is Sitake.
He’s been at BYU since 2016, posting an 83-44 record and leading the Cougars to this year’s Big 12 title game. He’s also coached NFL talent like Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Sitake’s track record is impressive, but there are questions about fit - particularly when it comes to recruiting in the Northeast. He’s never coached east of the Mississippi and has only landed two recruits from Penn State’s traditional pipeline since 2020.
When asked about the Penn State rumors, Sitake didn’t exactly shut them down. He deflected, saying his focus was on the Big 12 championship and avoiding distractions. That’s not a denial - and in the coaching world, silence often speaks volumes.
Lincoln Riley (USC)
Now here’s a name that would make waves. Riley’s future at USC isn’t in jeopardy, but he’s being mentioned as a potential high-profile target. It would take a bold move - and a compelling pitch - to lure him away from Los Angeles.
Riley’s resume is elite: three Heisman winners, three No. 1 overall NFL draft picks, and three College Football Playoff appearances during his time at Oklahoma. But his tenure at USC hasn’t reached those heights yet. The Trojans went 9-3 this season and missed the playoff again.
The biggest knock on Riley has always been defense. His teams have consistently struggled on that side of the ball, and that trend continued at USC. Still, if Kraft is looking for a home-run hire, Riley fits the bill - if he’s willing to make the jump.
Brent Key (Georgia Tech) and Manny Diaz (Duke)
Key and Diaz have both been in the conversation for a while, and while neither has emerged as a frontrunner, they haven’t been ruled out either.
Key’s Yellow Jackets stumbled late, dropping three of their final four games. His only win in November came by two points over a struggling Boston College team. He’s publicly reaffirmed his commitment to Georgia Tech, but he remains a name to watch.
Diaz, the former Miami head coach and current Duke head man, has led the Blue Devils to the ACC title game via a five-team tiebreaker - despite a 7-5 overall record. It’s not a flashy season, but it’s enough to keep him in the mix, especially given his defensive pedigree and familiarity with the Big Ten from his time as Penn State’s defensive coordinator.
Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame)
Freeman is arguably the most talented coach to even be loosely associated with the Penn State opening. But let’s be clear - the connection is remote.
Freeman has Notre Dame in a strong position, and there’s little reason to believe he’d leave South Bend for Happy Valley. Still, his name has surfaced in some circles, and it’s worth keeping an eye on, even if the odds are long.
Brian Daboll
Now here’s a name that makes a lot of sense from a Penn State perspective. Daboll, recently let go by the New York Giants, has deep ties to the program and a strong college résumé, including a stint as Alabama’s offensive coordinator during a national championship run.
Unlike some of the other candidates, Daboll is available right now - no buyouts, no bowl games, no recruiting classes to manage. He’s spent most of his career in the NFL, but his offensive acumen and familiarity with big-time college football make him a compelling option. If Kraft is looking for a proven offensive mind with Penn State roots, Daboll could be the best realistic choice left on the board.
The Waiting Game Continues
With National Signing Day looming and the coaching carousel moving quickly, Penn State’s decision window is narrowing. Some of the flashier names are off the table, but there are still viable - and potentially exciting - options in the mix.
Whether Kraft goes for a proven college head coach, a rising star, or an NFL veteran like Daboll, the next hire will define the program’s direction in a pivotal moment. The clock is ticking in Happy Valley, and the Nittany Lions’ next chapter is about to be written.