With National Signing Day underway, Penn State fans are furious as AD Pat Kraft struggles to land a replacement for James Franklin, leaving the program in chaos.

When Penn State moved on from James Franklin earlier this year, AD Pat Kraft promised fans a coast-to-coast hunt for a coach who could elevate the program from really good to truly elite. Never mind Franklin’s 104–45 record — titles were the new benchmark. Kraft went looking for a grand slam hire, but so far, he’s swinging like Nick Castellanos waving at a low-and-away pitch. Now, with the early National Signing Day period underway, Penn State is still without a coach, without a recruiting class, and seemingly without a clue.

Hall of Fame names like Urban Meyer and Nick Saban were initially linked to the opening, but nothing came of those pursuits. Up-and-comers such as Bob Chesney and Kalani Sitake seemed like natural fits but leveraged Penn State’s interest for their own gain. Meanwhile, other traditional Big Ten names, like Pat Fitzgerald, moved on to greener pastures in East Lansing.

Here are three candidates who should be at the top of Kraft’s list and the Penn State administration’s radar.

Terry Smith – Interim Head Coach, Penn State

Smith is already in the building. The longtime Penn State assistant stepped in as interim head coach following Franklin’s departure and, after a few rocky weeks, got the Nittany Lions playing a more disciplined and effective brand of football. He’s led the team to a bowl appearance and is well-liked by the current roster. Smith also has supporters within the Penn State administration. Originally considered a fallback option, momentum is building among boosters to remove the interim tag, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

NEW: Top-level Penn State donors are pushing for athletic director Pat Kraft to promote interim head coach Terry Smith, @PeteNakos reports.

Intel: https://t.co/kpLmNXshPI pic.twitter.com/kkaP8nypnr

— On3 (@On3sports) December 3, 2025

Brian Daboll – Former New York Giants Head Coach

Sometimes you have to think outside the box, and what better option than a recently fired NFL coach looking to rebuild his reputation? Brian Daboll faced criticism for his tenure with the New York Giants, but the truth is the Giants were a mess long before he arrived. Much like former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, Daboll brings significant professional experience from a winning organization — in his case, New England — that could translate well to the college game. Nittany Lion fans still dream of a return to Paterno-style coaching, and a coach from the Belichick tree might be as close as they’re going to get.

Dan Mullen – Head Coach, UNLV

Penn State fans are clamoring for a coach who “gets” the Northeast and understands Penn State culture. Well, it doesn’t get more Pennsylvania than a Delco guy! Dan Mullen has been linked to the Nittany Lions before, and now might be the perfect time for a bit of a homecoming. The Ursinus College graduate was born in Drexel Hill (high school in New Hampshire notwithstanding) and has a proven track record of winning football. The 2014 SEC Coach of the Year boasts a 113–63 career record, including a 7–3 bowl mark, and has already led UNLV to a 10–2 record in his first season in Sin City. Just imagine what he could do with Penn State’s NIL resources — plus, he’s likely familiar with Sheetz and Wawa, which never hurts.

Pat Kraft promised big swings when he fired Franklin, but the clock is ticking. With recruiting deadlines looming and fan impatience growing, the next move could define Penn State football for decades to come. Whoever lands the job will need to deliver wins, culture, and national relevance … and fast.