Penn State is urgently searching for a new football head coach after firing James Franklin, with several potential candidates including interim coach Terry Smith, Iowa State's Matt Campbell, Alabama's Kalen DeBoer, Louisville's Jeff Brohm, and Army's Jeff Monken, amid a challenging recruitment and coaching landscape.
Penn State football suffered a narrow 25-24 loss to Iowa, raising concerns about bowl eligibility and highlighting key player performances, including a standout game from Kaytron Allen and the return of two-QB formations under interim coach Terry Smith.
James Franklin's interview on ESPN's College GameDay was a calculated PR move aimed at signaling his availability for coaching jobs, lacking substantive discussion about his tenure or Penn State's recent struggles, and serving more as a job interview than a candid reflection.
James Franklin is set to appear on ESPN's College GameDay for an exclusive interview following his recent firing as Penn State's head coach, where topics likely include his departure, the team's season, and his future plans in coaching or media.
Penn State has fired head coach James Franklin after 12 seasons, with associate head coach Terry Smith named interim. Franklin's contract buyout is over $49 million, the second-largest in college football history. The decision follows a series of poor performances and losses, including a recent defeat to Northwestern, marking a low point for the program.
Penn State's football team won against FIU with some concerns about their offensive performance and overall dominance, highlighting Drew Allar's need to improve before facing top teams like Oregon. The team showed progress but still has areas to develop, especially in starting strong and maximizing their offensive weapons.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar displayed promising offensive chemistry in the Blue-White Game, with a touchdown pass and 202 passing yards, although he only completed 15 of 32 pass attempts. Despite some areas for improvement, Allar expressed confidence in the team's performance and highlighted the ongoing adjustment to the new offensive coordinator's scheme. The game showcased the involvement of multiple receivers, indicating a healthy chemistry between Allar and the receiving room, with plans for summer meetings to further enhance their cohesion ahead of the regular season.
Penn State Football has hired Tom Allen as their new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Allen, who previously served as the head coach at Indiana, brings 32 years of coaching experience and a reputation for leading aggressive and attacking style defenses. He is expected to complement the established program at Penn State and contribute to the team's success.
Penn State football is reportedly targeting former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to be their next defensive coordinator. The deal is being finalized and an announcement is expected in the coming days. Allen, who led the Hoosiers for seven years, is known for turning around Indiana's defense during his tenure. This would be James Franklin's second coordinator hiring this season, following the replacement of offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Allen is unlikely to coach in Penn State's upcoming Peach Bowl game against Ole Miss.
Penn State football is set to host former North Carolina wide receiver Andre Greene Jr. as they search for wide receiver help in the NCAA transfer portal. Meanwhile, the team is also looking for a replacement for defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who has been hired by Duke. Potential candidates for the position include safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter. Other news includes updates on Penn State's DE room, former Penn State target Julian Fleming entering the transfer portal, and former Penn State kicker Robbie Gould retiring from the NFL.
With Manny Diaz leaving Penn State to become the head coach at Duke, the Nittany Lions are in search of a new defensive coordinator. Some potential candidates include Anthony Poindexter, Penn State's co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, who has a strong track record and has developed notable safeties at Penn State; Tom Allen, former head coach at Indiana, who turned around the Hoosiers' defense during his time as defensive coordinator; Joe Harasymiak, defensive coordinator at Rutgers, who has achieved solid results despite limited talent; and Joe Klanderman, defensive coordinator at Kansas State, who has built a strong defense with limited resources.
No. 10 Penn State football will face No. 11 Ole Miss in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on December 30. This is Penn State's first appearance in the bowl game. Ole Miss had a strong season, finishing No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The game will be held at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and will be broadcasted on ESPN.
Penn State football continues to struggle against elite opponents, as they suffered a 24-15 loss to Michigan. Fans expressed their frustration towards head coach James Franklin, highlighting the team's inability to win big games. Despite having talented players like quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nick Singleton, the offense has underperformed, and the play-calling has been questionable. Penn State's record against top-10 teams and their struggles against Ohio State and Michigan raise concerns about the program's ability to compete at a higher level.
Penn State football secures commitment from four-star defensive tackle T.A. Cunningham, adding to their strong defensive line class for 2024. The recruiting process for Cunningham has been a rollercoaster, but the personal touch of new defensive line coach Deion Barnes played a significant role in his decision. Cunningham's size and athleticism make him a valuable addition to Penn State's defensive needs.
Penn State Football's game against Iowa on Sept. 23 will kick off at 8 p.m. on CBS, while game day themes for the 2023 football season have been announced, including the Penn State White Out for the Iowa game and the Penn State Stripe Out for the Michigan game. Other themes include the Helmet Stripe game, THON, Homecoming, Military Appreciation Day, and Senior Day. The season opener against West Virginia on Sept. 2 will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.