Coaching Search: Penn State Missed on Kalani Sitake. Now What?

For those who haven’t been following the Penn State coaching search since Monday afternoon, here’s a synopsis: Penn State wanted BYU’s Kalani Sitake to be its next coach, and BYU wanted to keep that from happening.

BYU ended up winning.

Penn State Coaching Search: Kalani Sitake Makes His Decision

Since it leaked out that Sitake could be leaving Provo for Happy Valley, it seemed every BYU backer— from a cookie company CEO to an NFL Hall of Fame quarterback— has pushed to do their part to keep Sitake in Utah.

So where can Penn State turn now after missing on Sitake?

JEFF BROHM, LOUISVILLE

BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 26: Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm walks across the field during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Indiana Hoosiers on November 26, 2022, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)

Brohm is a guy we’ve been talking about for a while, and as of late, his name had become an afterthought in the Penn State search.

Penn State Coaching Search: Why Louisville Beating Miami (Might) Matter

But considering Louisville hasn’t extended Brohm and, let’s face it, Penn State is probably looking toward fallback options, Brohm wouldn’t be a bad guy to fall back on.

Yes, a three-game losing streak in November kept Louisville from playing for an ACC title, but the Cards still finished 8-4, meaning the team has a chance to finish with nine or more wins for the third straight season (Brohm took over before the 2023 campaign.)

Brohm is a good coach, but at the same time, prying him away from his alma mater could be a problem if he does become Penn State’s top target.

BRIAN HARTLINE

Brian Hartline – Ohio State Athletics

Hartline is a guy people have been talking about as part of this search almost since Day 1.

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Although he hasn’t quite emerged as one of the favorites, his name hasn’t gone away, either. The 39-year-old has been on Ohio State’s staff for nine seasons, and has been coaching receivers for eight of them. In that time, he’s become the most decorated position coach in the country, helping develop stars such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and many others. His work with the receivers earned him a promotion to offensive coordinator, where he helped Ohio State QB Julian Sayin become a Heisman Trophy candidate this season.

Hartline is a rising star in the industry, but it’s fair to wonder if he’s ready to be a head coach.

Considering Kentucky apparently passed on Hartline for fellow Big Ten OC Will Stein, it would be interesting to see how Penn State fans would react to the school taking Kentucky’s second option.

TERRY SMITH

Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now

Smith did an admirable job in his six games as Penn State’s interim coach, ending the season on a three-game winning streak that led to a campaign for Smith’s hiring.

It hasn’t seemed like until now that Smith had a strong chance to get the job, but the more candidates go away, the better chance Smith has to stay.

Is Smith ready to be a full-time head coach? The way things are going, we might find out soon.

KALEN DEBOER

Kalen DeBoer / Alabama Athletics

Had Alabama lost to Auburn in the Iron Bowl and missed the College Football Playoff, things might be a lot more interesting. But now, Alabama is a lock to make it to the dance and is one win away from the SEC Championship, making it seem like a long shot that DeBoer is going anywhere.

The logistics of the transfer portal and Alabama being in the Playoff would make it difficult for Penn State to land DeBoer even if both parties wanted it.

But those same issues could have applied to Sitake, and that almost happened. So we shall see.