First it was Curt Cignetti at Indiana, then it was Matt Rhule at Nebraska, and now, it looks like another Penn State coaching search candidate is going to be locked up.
Ross Dellenger reported late Saturday morning that Texas A&M is finalizing a contract extension with Mike Elko that would make him “one of the top-10 highest-paid coaches in the country.”
This shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Although Elko being from New Jersey and going to college at Penn in Philadelphia intrigued people about the possibility of him coming to Penn State, he’s set up pretty good in College Station right now. A&M is 9-0, ranked No. 3 in the country and, to paraphrase Forrest Gump, “has more money than Davy Crockett.”
A&M is using some of that money to keep its coach around.
So, where does Penn State go from here?
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Well, with Elko getting extended and Louisville coach Jeff Brohm reportedly nearing the same, that would leave two fewer options than there were at the start of the week.
Perhaps the biggest name that hasn’t been crossed off yet is Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz.
Drinkwitz hasn’t received a new contract since his last extension and, perhaps as important as anything, is eliminated from College Football Playoff contention, which means that there would be no timing issues should Drinkwitz want the job.
Another name that’s been thrown out there is Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.
Although Hartline and the Buckeyes are virtually a lock for the College Football Playoff, Penn State would win that financial battle (assistant vs. head coach) and it would be easier for a coordinator to leave, in theory, than a head coach before the end of the playoff.
