By Andrew McCartyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA very surprising name popped up in the Penn State head coaching search on Thursday, Nov. 20: Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Jon Sauber of The Centre Daily Times, reported DeBoer is a leading candidate for the Nittany Lions, who fired longtime head coach James Franklin in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Franklin has since landed the Virginia Tech job and significantly reduced his buyout, paving the way for Penn State to take a big swing.
“He’s been one of Penn State’s top targets from the beginning,” Sauber said via Tide 100.9. “I think it was, early on, a little bit pie in the sky, of course, Alabama’s close game with South Carolina, there was a chance it could have picked up there. It didn’t, and then the loss to Oklahoma nudged the door open a little bit.
“I still think Alabama would have to miss the Playoffs to make this a real possibility, which, obviously, would include a loss to Auburn to end the year. And I’m sure the reaction down there wouldn’t be great. He’s been the top target since early on; I know they have a lot of respect for him and what he’s done in his career, and he’s someone that they think would be an excellent coach here at Penn State.”
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DeBoer might not be the only coach on the way out, though. The Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack, is reportedly a top candidate to replace Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State.
"Oklahoma State’s long search to replace Mike Gundy has narrowed to a point where Morris, Golesh, Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein and Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack are considered the strongest candidates, and a final decision could come soon," wrote Chris Vannini of The Athletic.
Even if DeBoer remains, Wommack could still be on the way out .
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