College Sports

Top Penn State Coaching Candidates

One of the most storied college football programs will have no shortage of suitors to fill its head coach opening after James Franklin’s dismissal.
Top Penn State Coaching Candidates
Head coach Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers watches the teams warm up before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium in College Park, Md., on Oct. 11, 2025. Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Ross Kelly
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Over a 24-hour span from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, the Penn State Nittany Lions suffered a series of losses.

They lost their third straight game, this time in a 22–21 defeat to the Northwestern Wildcats. In dropping that game, PSU also lost star quarterback, Drew Allar, for the season with a left leg injury. However, the third loss for Penn State was one the school willingly made as it lost its head coach, James Franklin, who was fired on Sunday.

Ross Kelly
Ross Kelly
Author
Ross Kelly is a sports journalist who has been published by ESPN, CBS and USA Today. He has also done statistical research for Stats Inc. and Synergy Sports Technology. A graduate of LSU, Ross resides in Houston.