Penn State’s Lengthy Search for New Football Coach Continues

After the dismissal of head coach James Franklin in October 2023, Pat Kraft, the athletic director at Penn State, expressed his commitment to finding a coach capable of leading the team to national championships. “I’m not shy to admit that I’m here to win national championships,” Kraft stated during a press conference at Beaver Stadium. Yet, more than seven weeks later, Kraft is still in search of Franklin’s replacement, raising questions about the effectiveness of his hiring strategy.

Penn State became the second school to fire its coach during the regular season and currently holds the distinction of being the last to fill the vacancy. While other programs swiftly appointed new coaches—such as Michigan State, which hired Pat Fitzgerald just hours after firing Jonathan Smith, and Kentucky, which replaced Mark Stoops with Will Stein—Kraft’s search has faced considerable delays.

Reports suggest that Kalani Sitake, the head coach at BYU, has emerged as a potential candidate, with some agreements reportedly in place. Nevertheless, the BYU community, alongside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and local business leader Jason McGowan, are rallying to retain Sitake, who has built a strong rapport with fans in Utah. His impressive record of 83-44 over eight seasons at BYU, including a remarkable 22-3 in the last two years, adds to his appeal, yet he lacks ties to Penn State or the Big Ten Conference.

Many fans are questioning the decision-making process behind Franklin’s termination. Under Franklin’s leadership, the Nittany Lions achieved a school-record 34 wins in the past three years and reached the College Football Playoff semifinals. Speculation has arisen regarding Kraft’s intentions; whether he aimed to replace Franklin with Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, a former Penn State player, remains unclear. Since Franklin’s firing, Rhule extended his contract with Nebraska, eliminating that potential option.

The search has also included notable names like Mike Elko from Texas A&M, Kalen DeBoer from Alabama, and Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame, but Kraft has yet to secure any of these coaches. Rumors surrounding the likes of Eli Drinkwitz from Missouri and Brent Key from Georgia Tech have circulated, but none have materialized into concrete offers.

As the search continues, some analysts suggest that the premature dismissal of Franklin—who won approximately 70% of his games—may deter prospective candidates. Former BYU quarterback Ty Detmer indicated that Sitake may want to reconsider, citing the pressure that could accompany a high-profile role at Penn State.

On social media, Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas voiced the frustrations of many within the program: “So when we gonna know our coach??” With National Signing Day approaching on November 8, 2023, the urgency for a decision grows, especially as several high school seniors are left uncertain about their commitments.

As the coaching search drags on, Kraft’s approach has drawn criticism for its apparent lack of preparation and clarity. With potential candidates like Bob Chesney from James Madison still available, fans hope that Kraft can turn the situation around swiftly. The Nittany Lions need a leader who can effectively engage in recruiting battles against established coaches like Franklin at Virginia Tech and others in the competitive landscape of college football.

With anticipation building, Nittany Nation awaits the outcome of this drawn-out search, hopeful for a resolution that brings a strong, capable leader to Penn State’s storied football program.