Penn State coaching rumors: Latest updates on Brian Hartline, Pat Fitzgerald, and other potential James Franklin replacements

Approximately ten months prior, Penn State stood on the brink of competing in the national championship game. Just three months ago, the Nittany Lions began 2025 as one of the nation's most anticipated teams. Currently, it appears they are poised for a substantial shift in their leadership structure.

Penn State parted ways with Franklin, their coach since 2014, following an 0-3 record against Power Four opponents, which included defeats to unranked UCLA and Northwestern. The Nittany Lions haven't had to search for a new head coach in quite some time, but now one of the Big Ten's most recognizable programs is heading into a new chapter, with a significant number of talented players expected to leave.

The coaching search at Penn State has been marked by uncertainty, with some reported top candidates securing contract extensions at their present institutions and few clues emerging about the Nittany Lions' preferred choices.

Penn State's coaching search is underway, with speculation mounting about who might succeed Franklin. This article provides the most recent updates and whispers surrounding the team's pursuit of a new head coach.

MORE: Who has the best odds to become Penn State's next coach?

Penn State coaching speculation updates

Eli Drinkwitz is no longer a candidate for The Penn State job following his new contract with Missouri.

• Date:  Nov. 27
• Source: Pete Thamel

Eli Drinkwitz, the head coach for Missouri, is no longer considered a contender for The Penn State coaching position. He has finalized a new agreement with Missouri, according to Thamel. While the Tigers' coach was linked to the Nittany Lions, he won't be heading to State College.

Penn State athletes are keen on Terry Smith remaining as Head Coach and will participate in a formal interview.

• Date:  Nov. 23
• Source: Brandon Marcello

Following Penn State's 37-10 victory over Nebraska in Week 13, players expressed their wish for interim head coach Terry Smith to retain his position through 2026, displaying signs that read "Hire Terry Smith."

According to Marcello, the Nittany Lions will conduct a formal interview with Smith this week.

Penn State players making their case for interim HC Terry Smith 🤝 pic.twitter.com/C4nYaPbbNJ

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 23, 2025

Pat Fitzgerald is drawing attention from Penn State.

• Date:  Nov. 19
• Source: Bruce Feldman | "Bear Bets" podcast

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported on the "Bear Bets" podcast that Penn State has expressed sincere interest in former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, who had previously been linked to the Nittany Lions during this coaching search, coached at Northwestern for 17 seasons, earning a reputation as one of the Big Ten's most esteemed coaches before a hazing scandal concluded his time there in the summer of 2023. 

Penn State reaches agreement on revised buyout terms for James Franklin

• Date:  Nov. 17
• Source: On3

A financial consideration in Penn State's pursuit of a new coach may have been resolved, with James Franklin reportedly accepting a position at Virginia Tech for an undisclosed salary. Nevertheless, due to stipulations in Franklin's previous contract with The Nittany Lions that linked his buyout sum to his earnings at his next role, he is expected to forgo the complete $49 million buyout.

Per Pete Nakos, Penn State and Franklin negotiated a settlement on his buyout that gives him "roughly" $9 million, instead of the original $49 million.

MORE: Ranking the best fits to replace James Franklin at Penn State

Penn State is reportedly considering Brent Key and Bob Chesney, with Daboll and Fitzgerald also being names to monitor.

• Date:  Nov. 14
• Source: The Athletic

Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo of The Athletic were among the first to report on Penn State's opening on November 14th, stating the Nittany Lions were still "exploring a lot of options." Candidates considered were Brent Key of Georgia Tech and Bob Chesney of James Madison. Key has guided Georgia Tech to a 9-1 conference record in 2025 and has expressed his commitment to remain with the program, whereas Chesney has James Madison leading the Sun Belt Conference.

Additionally, per The Athletic, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea is merely viewed as just a speculative fit for Penn State's job, with no real connections yet. The Nittany Lions have "vetted" on assistants like Oregon’s Will Stein and Ohio State’s Brian Hartline, though.

According to Feldman and Russo, three additional individuals to monitor in this search are Pat Fitzgerald, Brian Daboll, and Al Golden. Fitzgerald achieved three seasons with 10 wins at Northwestern before his dismissal. Daboll was recently released by The New York Giants and previously served as an OC at Alabama. He also has connections to Penn State, as his children attended the institution). Golden currently holds the position of defensive coordinator for The Cincinnati Bengals.

MORE: How much of a home field advantage does Penn State actually get from its annual White Out Game?

Manny Diaz might be considered for a reunion.

• Date:  Nov. 10
• Source: 247Sports

Manny Diaz, who presently leads Duke's coaching staff, is reportedly a name to consider for Penn State's coaching vacancy. His candidacy is logical, largely due to his previous involvement with The Nittany Lions.

During the 2022–23 seasons, Diaz held the position of defensive coordinator at Penn State under James Franklin, a period where the Nittany Lions featured one of the nation's premier defenses. In 2023, the Nittany Lions secured the No. 2 spot in total defense nationwide, per CFB Stats, and in 2022, they were ranked No. 17. Although Penn State already possesses a prominent defensive coordinator in Jim Knowles, Diaz would further assist them in solidifying a defensive identity.

Diaz previously coached Miami from 2019 to 2021, achieving a 21-15 record with The Hurricanes. He's experienced greater success with The Blue Devils, guiding them to a 5-3 beginning in 2025. 

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Rumored coaches like Cignetti, Rhule, Brohm, and Elko are reportedly in line for contract extensions.

With Penn State being among the initial coaching openings in college football, there's been ample opportunity for coaches to be associated with the program. Nevertheless, a significant number of the coaches rumored or speculated about have already committed to new deals with their present teams.

Curt Cignetti was among the initial prominent figures linked with Penn State. As a native of Pennsylvania, already competing in the Big Ten, and presently recognized as one of the nation's most esteemed coaches, he appeared to be an obvious choice. However, shortly after Franklin's dismissal, Indiana secured Cignetti with a new eight-year agreement, reportedly valued at approximately $11.6 million per year the school announced..

Approximately a fortnight after, another reported Nittany Lions prospect withdrew from consideration. Matt Rhule had been asserting in press conferences his dedication to Nebraska, which he demonstrated by accepting a two-year contract extension set to last until the 2032 season, the school announced.

Louisville's Jeff Brohm was another rumored name for Penn State, as he's led the Cardinals to three strong seasons in his tenure. But according to On3's report on Nov. 12, Louisville is "working" on a contract extension to keep Brohm with the team, seemingly taking his name out of the race as well.

In November, another possible candidate became unavailable as Mike Elko secured a new six-year agreement, keeping him with the team until the 2031 season, Texas A&M announced. Although Elko wasn't typically seen as a top choice for Penn State like Cignetti or Rhule might have been, there was speculation about whether he would leave the Aggies for a more prominent position, especially given his success in 2025.