Penn State Coaching Vacancy

[DrKnipe]

Maybe they should get Jay Paterno

 

[SCHawkeye2]

On.3 is throwing ND’s Marcus Freeman into the mix.

Penn State eyeing Marcus Freeman as they look to take ‘big swings’ after $49 million James Franklin split

Penn State is looking at major names in its search to replace fired football coach James Franklin.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[trj]

Seemingly the only evidence of this is Brock Purdy saying so. If ANYONE can find a second confirmation, I'd love to hear it.

It was more than Purdy. A lot of reputable people said it was his job if he wanted it.

 

[trj]

I wonder if Campbell sits and waits. Ryan Day is a couple losses away from being gone. I think someone mentioned his two outs in his contract are Notre Dame and tOSU? But he would be absolutely nuts not to take the Penn State gig if approached.

Then again, would you want to step into a pressure cooker job like tOSU or ND? He could probably lose the rest of his games in Ames and still get a pretty lengthy grace period. Penn State would likely give him a bit of grace too with the potential fallout of transfers and etc.

Call me an idiot, but I think Campbell wants the Ohio State job when it comes open. Better to stay at ISU and pad your resume with an easy schedule than go to Penn State or Wisconsin and get your ass kicked.

Day has it rolling at tOSU. I have a hard time seeing that fall apart anytime soon. Unless Day has interest in the NFL…he is staying put in Columbus.

As I stated before, keep an eye on Sherrone Moore and Michigan. IMO, the Michigan job will come open before Ohio St. will.

 

[vork22]

Matt Campbell is just PJ Fleck with more NIL money.

Exactly. I don’t think Campbell is a big enough name for Penn St. I think Rhule is the guy.

 

[ICHawk24]

Despite me questioning how many jobs Campbell has actually been offered, I could definitely see him taking the PSU job. He is an Ohio guy, and could land a lot of great recruits in that part of the country.

I just heard on a podcast that PSU AD Pat Kraft was the AD at Temple who hired Matt Rhule and was the AD during Rhule's entire tenure. Given that connection, and with Rhule playing at PSU, he seems like the most likely guy.

I do think PSU will offer Cignetti everything they can. Indiana may be able to fend them off.

The coaching carousel will be crazy this year.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Campbell or Rhule would both be idiots not to, and both would take it if offered.

If I'm Cignetti sitting at 64 years old, in a winning spot where no one will fire me if I lose, no way. He's in the driver's seat and can within reason restructure his contract however he wants and Indiana will pay. Ultimate job to last him to 70 and go out knowing you proved to yourself you could coach major conference football at a high level.

Just a hunch, but I'd guess Cignetti doesn't think that way. I think he wants to win as many championships as possible in the relatively short time he has left in coaching. For better or worse, I don't think he gives a shit who he rubs the wrong way and if someone wanted to fire him for losing twice to Ohio State. I don't think that's his thought process.

If he was offered Penn State, I think he'd take it if he thought he could win more championships there than Indiana. But if Cuban jumps in and says whatever Penn State's payroll is, I'll get you 10% more at Indiana, than I think Cignetti's mindset would be let's go....we'll cram it down those good old boy blue bloods throats and win more titles at Indiana.

If it all comes to the roster payroll these days - and Cuban only increases his engagement with the program, especially if that's what it takes to keep Cignetti - than can't Indiana potentially stay right there with the blue bloods of the conference? Having a multi-billionaire who wants to support the program at the highest level = blue blood status in college football these days.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Call me an idiot, but I think Campbell wants the Ohio State job when it comes open. Better to stay at ISU and pad your resume with an easy schedule than go to Penn State or Wisconsin and get your ass kicked.

I've always felt that the OSU job is what he keeps an eye on, and obviously would be a destination hire for him.

That said, if PSU came calling, my guess is he'd very seriously consider it. I just don't see PSU targeting him.

I don't know if it has been mentioned, but I'd keep an eye on Al Golden, Notre Dame's DC. He has extensive CFB and NFL experience and is considered one of the best coordinators in the business, and played at PSU.

 

[hawkinn3]

Rhule is practically begging for the job. Nebby fans are being delusional thinking he’s staying if they offer him the job.

 

[Fryowa]

Day has it rolling at tOSU. I have a hard time seeing that fall apart anytime soon.

Nah, it'll get below fan expectations at some point, that's the way college football works. The days of dynastic coaches are pretty much over and donors don't give grace to blue blood programs anymore. It's like the NFL...if you have a couple down years which can happen to literally anyone, you're shown the door. Their fan base wanted to fire him a couple years ago for losing to Michigan for chrissakes.

It's just a matter of being ready to jump on it at some point and I think that's what Campbell is waiting for. Either a PSU type school (not gonna happen this go 'round) or ideally OSU where he's from. He knows the B12 ain't where the future is and it has to either be Big Ten or SEC. He'd be a square peg in the SEC.

 

[ICHawk24]

Their fan base wanted to fire him a couple years ago for losing to Michigan for chrissakes.

It wasn't even a couple years ago, it was less than one year ago. After OSU lost to Michigan in late November 2024, making it four losses in a row, their fanbase was utterly enraged. After the game, there was a player scuffle on the field, and Day just stood there dumbfoundedly watching, and everyone thought he was a putz.

I'm convinced that if OSU had done anything other than win the national title last year, they would have fired him.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

It wasn't even a couple years ago, it was less than one year ago. After OSU lost to Michigan in late November 2024, making it four losses in a row, their fanbase was utterly enraged. After the game, there was a player scuffle on the field, and Day just stood there dumbfoundedly watching, and everyone thought he was a putz.

I'm convinced that if OSU had done anything other than win the national title last year, they would have fired him.

I don't think most people realize just how important that game is to both schools - especially Ohio State. It is the biggest rivalry in American sports.

I listen to Glen Mason do a weekly gig on the radio during football season - former Ohio State player and coach. He said you really can't grasp the magnitude of it until you are in the rivalry. The game is EVERYTHING to Ohio State fans.

Day has lost 4 consecutive times to Michigan. Only a national title saved him. Even then, the Michigan game is bigger than a title to a ton of those fans. Crazy. My guess is he won't be given a chance to lose 6 consecutive. He'll be done if they lose a 5th. It's the only game that counts.

 

[Fryowa]

I don't think most people realize just how important that game is to both schools - especially Ohio State. It is the biggest rivalry in American sports.

I listen to Glen Mason do a weekly gig on the radio during football season - former Ohio State player and coach. He said you really can't grasp the magnitude of it until you are in the rivalry. The game is EVERYTHING to Ohio State fans.

Day has lost 4 consecutive times to Michigan. Only a national title saved him. Even then, the Michigan game is bigger than a title to a ton of those fans. Crazy. My guess is he won't be given a chance to lose 6 consecutive. He'll be done if they lose a 5th. It's the only game that counts.

That's why I say that Day at OSU is never a sure thing. People who think it is just because he's winning games (and titles) are wrong.

 

[trj]

Nah, it'll get below fan expectations at some point, that's the way college football works. The days of dynastic coaches are pretty much over and donors don't give grace to blue blood programs anymore. It's like the NFL...if you have a couple down years which can happen to literally anyone, you're shown the door. Their fan base wanted to fire him a couple years ago for losing to Michigan for chrissakes.

It's just a matter of being ready to jump on it at some point and I think that's what Campbell is waiting for. Either a PSU type school (not gonna happen this go 'round) or ideally OSU where he's from. He knows the B12 ain't where the future is and it has to either be Big Ten or SEC. He'd be a square peg in the SEC.

It wasn't even a couple years ago, it was less than one year ago. After OSU lost to Michigan in late November 2024, making it four losses in a row, their fanbase was utterly enraged. After the game, there was a player scuffle on the field, and Day just stood there dumbfoundedly watching, and everyone thought he was a putz.

I'm convinced that if OSU had done anything other than win the national title last year, they would have fired him.

Fair

IMO, the Michigan job will come open first. That said, Campbell could have the OSU job circled as the one he wants.

 

[Fryowa]

Fair

IMO, the Michigan job will come open first. That said, Campbell could have the OSU job circled as the one he wants.

If he keeps ISU at 8-9 wins every year he can just afford to sit back and chill until something happens. They'll worship that guy in Ames forever because the last guy they had coaching them with a winning record was Earle Bruce in 1978...He's gonna have statues all over Ames for a WP just over .500, lol.