The search is on for Penn State football’s next head coach.
Penn State fired James Franklin following an 0-3 start to Big Ten play and losing as over 20-point favorites to UCLA and Northwestern.
After 12 seasons, James Franklin is no longer the guy. So, who comes next?
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is a popular name being floated as a likely candidate.
A Penn State alum and former walk-on under Joe Paterno in the 90s, Rhule is a State College native and “loves” Penn State.
Rhule began his response discussing the love he has for Penn State and what the university means to him.
“I love Penn State. I met my wife there. My Alma Mater. Fan since I was born. I probably had a Penn State shirt when I was born,” Rhule said.
Rhule and AD Pat Kraft worked together dating back to their Temple days, where Rhule was the head coach from 2013-2016 before departing for Baylor.
“I love Pat Kraft. Really sad to see Coach Franklin go,” Rhule said. “When you think about what he did for my Alma Mater, the program was in peril. James takes over a program in disarray and gives stability and excellence.”
He set aside any talk of coaching at Penn State during his Monday press conference.
“I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come,” Rhule said. “This is what happens when you win. We won at Temple, and I dealt with it all the time. I’m not going to talk about those things ever. I’m not going to talk about my contract here. I absolutely love it here.”
Rhule claims he wants to continue building Nebraska’s program, currently ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll.
“I want to continue to take the steps needed to turn this place into a beast,” Rhule said.
Penn State hosts Rhule and Nebraska Nov. 22 in the final home game of the season. Could Penn State be hosting its future head coach? Nebraska is 5-1 and their only loss is a 30-27 defeat to Michigan.
Rhule is 2-23 against Top 25 teams in his career, a similar record as James Franklin was criticized heavily for. Associate Head Coach Terry Smith will serve as Penn State’s head coach the rest of the season.
