After 12 seasons at Penn State, James Franklin is out
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is the favourite to exchange him
Learn beneath for the highest candidates to be Penn State’s subsequent head coach
James Franklin had a powerful 12-season run in Comfortable Valley, profitable 69.8% of his video games and one Large Ten title. He led them to a few New 12 months’s Six bowl wins earlier than taking the Nittany Lions to the Faculty Soccer Playoff in 2024-2025. Simply 10 months in the past, Penn State was a sport away from competing for the Nationwide Championship.
Nevertheless, the Nittany Lions quickly misplaced to Notre Dame, ending their season. In 2025, Penn State opened with titanic expectations. After a 3-0 begin, the facade crumbled as Penn State misplaced to Oregon, a winless UCLA workforce, and Northwestern at dwelling. After the third loss in a row, Penn State dismissed Franklin.
Listed here are the 13 potential head coaches with a minimum of a 5% likelihood to exchange Franklin, in response to Kalshi.
Now we have a Kalshi promo code to get you a $10 sign-up bonus.
Penn State’s Hiring Historical past
Since Joe Paterno’s dismissal in 2011, Penn State has had two head coaches. Invoice O’Brien coached the Nittany Lions from 2012 to 2013 earlier than becoming a member of the NFL. Earlier than turning into Penn State’s head coach, O’Brien was the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. In 2014, Penn State employed Franklin. Franklin has been the top coach at Vanderbilt for the earlier three seasons.
If historical past is something to go on, Penn State would possible be interested by hiring an NFL coordinator or a school head coach from a lower-prestige program.
Greatest Penn State Subsequent Coach Bets
Joe Brady (+525)
Joe Brady is third in odds for good motive. Not solely is he a extremely sought-after candidate, however he was additionally a grad assistant at Penn State from 2015 to 2016. Brady has high-level expertise with the 2017-2018 Saints, Nationwide Champion 2019 LSU, and the present iteration of the Payments.
Brady is the perfect worth of the intense candidates, and he has reliable ties to Penn State. The NFL may throw a wrinkle in as he has been an oft-mentioned head coach candidate, however Penn State may beat the NFL to the punch if Brady needs to return to school.
Brady is the same candidate to Invoice O’Brien again in 2012. He’s offensively-oriented, and he has each NFL and NCAA expertise to his title.
Alex Golesh (+1567)
Alex Golesh doesn’t have any ties to Penn State, however he is without doubt one of the hottest names within the non-Energy 4 teaching world. Golesh is in his third 12 months with South Florida, and USF has massively improved over a pair of 7-6 seasons. This season, the Bulls may very well be on their solution to a CFP spot. As of writing, they’re 6-1 and ranked No.18 within the AP Ballot.
Like Brady, Golesh would carry an offensive focus to State Faculty. USF has the No. 7 scoring offense in school soccer proper now, boasting a extremely environment friendly passing and dashing assault. Golesh can also be one of many youthful choices as he’s solely 41.
Penn State Subsequent Coach Bets to Fade
Jeff Brohm (+426)
In contrast to the opposite two candidates within the high three, Jeff Brohm has no ties to Penn State. Matt Rhule was a participant and volunteer assistant for the Nittany Lions. Brohm, as a substitute, is Louisville born-and-raised. He was born in Louisville, went to highschool in Louisville, performed at Louisville, and has served a slew of roles at Louisville in his teaching profession.
Brohm has led Louisville again to relevance – they’re No.19 within the AP Ballot – however it’s a great place for Brohm for the long run. Brohm may transfer up the status ladder, persevering with his ascent from Western Kentucky to Purdue to Louisville to Penn State, however Brohm is Louisville by means of and thru.
Brent Key (+1567)
Sticking with the Jeff Brohm theme, Brent Key can also be an alum of the varsity he coaches at. Key has Georgia Tech experiencing one in all its finest seasons in generations. Georgia Tech is off to its finest begin since 1966. The Yellow Jackets’ No.7 rating is the best they’ve been within the AP Ballot since 2009. They haven’t been increased than No.7 since their co-champion season in 1990.
Key performed 4 seasons for Georgia Tech earlier than turning into a grad assistant. Earlier than ascending to the top coach position, he was the offensive line coach and assistant head coach. Like Brohm, I’ve my doubts that an ACC head coach would go away his alma mater to pursue the Penn State job.
USE CODE SBD1500 & GET $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS
BET $5 & GET $200 IN BONUS BETS WITH CODE DIME365
BET $10, GET $100 IN FANCASH + GAMEDAY GUARANTEE
BET $5 & GET $300 IN BONUS BETS IF YOUR BET WINS + 3 MONTHS OF NBA LEAGUE PASS
BET $5 & GET $300 IF YOUR BET WINS
USE CODE SBD20X & BET $1 TO DOUBLE THE WINNINGS ON YOUR FIRST 20 WAGERS!
USE CODE DIME TO UNLOCK BET $10, GET $100 BONUS & ESPN+
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or go to gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Name 877-8-HOPENY/textual content HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/go to ccpg.org (CT), or go to www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and current in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill On line casino & Resort (KS).
BET365 SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: Minimal $10 deposit required. Minimal odds -500 of higher. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, deadlines and exclusions apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ solely (18+ KY).
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: Playing drawback? Name 1-800-GAMBLER (Out there within the US), Name 877-8-HOPENY or textual content HOPENY (467369) (NY), Name 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ solely. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Phrases. First Wager Provide for brand spanking new prospects solely (if relevant). Topic to eligibility necessities. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing On line casino and Resort. This promotional provide just isn’t obtainable in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.
