By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAs Ole Miss and LSU wait to hear what decision Lane Kiffin makes on Saturday, several other college football teams are getting closer to filling their head-coaching vacancies.
Among those is Penn State, which is seemingly the only premier school with a head-coach opening that hasn’t been linked to Kiffin over the last month.
The Nittany Lions would presumably like to find their successor to James Franklin sooner rather than later given the fact that their 2026 recruiting class has been taking blow after blow lately.
In recent days, Penn State lost several four-star commits including offensive tackle Marlen Bright, tight end Pierce Petersohn, and running back Messiah Mickens, who have all committed to Franklin and Virginia Tech.
More News: Urban Meyer Recruiting ‘Up-and-Coming’ Head Coach to Florida: Report
...More News: Coveted College Football Playoff Coach Sets Deadline to Decide Future
In total, Penn State has lost 19 commits in the month-plus since it fired Franklin.
The popular pick among analysts and sportsbooks to land the Penn State job is James Madison head coach Bob Chesney, but according to On3’s Pete Nakos there’s another name fans should keep an eye on.
“The Nittany Lions continue to keep their coaching search as low-profile as possible,” Nakos wrote. “Nick Saban said earlier this week that former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll would be an ‘outstanding hire’ for the Nittany Lions. Sources have said there has at least been some informal contact with Daboll and Penn State.”
More News: Alabama Loses Key Member Day Before Iron Bowl vs Auburn
...More News: $15 Million Head Coach Accepts Major SEC Job: Report
Saban recently gave Daboll, who's seen his odds of landing the PSU job take a small jump up to 10% according to Kalshi, a ringing endorsement on “The Pat McAfee Show,” all but making the case why PSU should hire the former Giants HC.
“I love Brian,” Saban said. “He did a great job here for us as our offensive coordinator. We won the championship with him calling the plays. He’s been in the Super Bowl several times with Bill Belichick and won.
“He’s a very good coach, he’s a bright guy, he’s a good recruiter, he relates well to the players, he’s a good teacher, he’s got a good offensive mind, he’ll be able to put a good staff together. I think that would be an outstanding hire.”
If Daboll isn’t Penn State’s guy, Nakos believes there’s two candidates that could be considered the frontrunners.
“Sources continue to also bring up James Madison head coach Bob Chesney’s name,” Nakos added. “Interim head coach Terry Smith is another realistic candidate.”
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NCAATom Izzo Gets Major Affirmation After Michigan State Win Over UNC3 min read
NCAAAlabama Could Lose Major Piece Amid College Football Playoff Bid: Report3 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Duke vs Arkansas: Live Stream NCAA College Basketball, TV Channel2 min read
NCAAMichigan Receives Grim Prediction for Ohio State Game3 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch Navy vs Memphis: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel3 min read
Affiliate LinksHow to Watch North Carolina vs Michigan State: Live Stream NCAA College Basketball, TV Channel2 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
PoliticsState Department Expands Visa Pause to Afghan Passport Carriers3 min read
NewsUncommon Knowledge: On Black Friday, Payday Lenders Are Now Armed With AI5 min read
NewsMap Shows Where Significant Snow Will Disrupt Post-Thanksgiving Travel3 min read
NewsPolice to Accompany National Guard in DC After Fatal Shooting: Report4 min read
NewsTrump’s Reported Plan to Hand Russia Ukrainian Territories Sparks Outrage4 min read
NewsSarah Beckstrom’s Ex-Boyfriend Reacts to DC Shooting: ‘Loved Her to Pieces’4 min readTrending
New York8 Million Inflation Refund Checks Sent Out Ahead of Thanksgiving4 min read
WeatherWinter Storm Warning As 14 inches of Snow To Strike: ‘Delay All Travel’3 min read
ColoradoColorado State Senator Dies Suddenly4 min read
WalmartWalmart Recall Update: Customers Warned ‘Immediately Stop’ Using Products4 min read
WeatherMap Shows Where Significant Snow Will Disrupt Post-Thanksgiving Travel3 min readOpinion
OpinionRedefining Professional Degrees Will Hurt Everyday Americans | Opinion5 min read
OpinionAI Is Coming for Our Most Intimate Communications. Congress Must Act | Opinion5 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Thanksgiving Tragedies Edition3 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Anti-Thanksgiving Edition3 min read
OpinionHow to Remain Grounded and Thankful Amid the Chaos5 min read
