The college football coaching carousel is about to get weird, to say the least.
A prominent name who could be on the market this offseason is Alabama Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. Should he leave Tuscaloosa, rumblings have possibly linked him to become the new coach in State College to replace James Franklin.
One college football insider, better known as CBS Sports' Josh Pate, said the school has other ideas it could muster up than trying to poach the polarizing SEC coach.
"I do think Penn State has zeroed in on their guy in recent days," Pate wrote on 'X.' "I don't expect Kalen DeBoer to be involved."
"Their guy," as Pate alluded to, is not yet known. However, other sources, such as Bruce Feldman, suggested a mutual "interest" between the Nittany Lions and Northwestern Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen which direction the Nittany Lions go in next season. For now, though, two wins separate interim coach Terry Smith and his team from a 6-6 record and a bowl berth.
Smith was asked by reporters this week about his interest in returning to the program next season. As much as it's a potential goal for Smith, the focus remains on securing consecutive wins.
“I love the game of football. I will be coaching the game of football on Saturday … God willing, next Saturday. And then after that, we'll let business take care of business," Smith said Wednesday.
The Penn State Nittany Lions host the Nebraska Cornhuskers Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, both with much to still play for.
But, for Smith, it may just be the biggest job audition of his life.
We'll find out soon.