Report: Penn State to Interview Terry Smith This Week

Penn State will interview interim HC Terry Smith about its head coaching vacancy this week, per a report by Brandon Marcello of CBSSports.

Last Monday, Smith said he had not yet been interviewed for the job, but he considered his audition to take place every day he’s in the interim role.

Five nights later, Smith made his biggest statement yet in his case for the job.

On the field, Penn State dominated Nebraska, which the 37-10 final score reflected. After the game, some of Penn State’s players openly endorsed Smith on the field, and in the media room, Smith endorsed himself.

WHAT SMITH SAID

Here’s what Smith said when asked if he feels his five games in the interim role have made him ready to be a head coach.

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“I was always ready to be a head coach. I was a head coach for 12 years in high school. It’s a different level, but leading men is leading men. Coaching is coaching. It’s no different than when I worked for Matt Rhule as a receivers coach. I came here for James Franklin; I went to DB coach. Coaching is coaching. I went from taking DBs, a DB history here at Penn State that we didn’t put DBs in the NFL to now, we’re one of the top in the country. Coaching is coaching. I’ve always been a head coach, so I’m very confident in what I do. God has blessed me. My mom has anointed me. My wife keeps a covering over me. I have gifts that I don’t even realize I have. I’m a leader of men. You guys see it. You’re witnessing it every day.”

HOW REALISTIC IS IT?

So how realistic is it for Smith to be promoted to full-time head coach? At this point, we don’t know. But if Penn State loses at Rutgers in next week’s regular-season finale, it probably becomes a good bet that Smith won’t be promoted to full-time coach.

As impressive as Smith has been in his interim role, it would be much easier to sell people on Smith is the team ends up making a bowl game.

By rule, Penn State has to win six games to do that, and the last chance for win No. 6 comes Saturday in Piscataway.