Penn State

Penn State Head Coach Hot Board: Tracking the Top Candidates to Replace James Franklin

SportsTalkPhilly Staff Sports Editor

Published12 Oct 2025

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After a stunning midseason move that saw Penn State fire James Franklin following a third straight loss, Athletic Director Pat Kraft now faces one of the most important coaching searches in program history. The Nittany Lions remain a premier job in college football, and the list of potential successors is already taking shape. Our Penn State Head Coach Hot Board series breaks down the leading candidates — from Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, one of the hottest names in the sport, to Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, a State College native with deep Nittany Lion ties. Follow along as we update this board with profiles, analysis, and insider connections on every name linked to the Penn State job.