What's next in Penn State coaching search?

At one point, Penn State fans were dreaming of big swings. But those names are gone now. Eli Drinkwitz re-upped at Missouri. Clark Lea is staying at Vandy. Mike Elko, Curt Cignetti, and Matt Rhule are all locked in where they are. And forget about Marcus Freeman or Kalen DeBoer — they’re not leaving Notre Dame or Bama anytime soon.

Even Brian Hartline, fresh off a rivalry win over Michigan and a strong recruiting reputation, feels more like a long shot than a real option. It’s not looking like Penn State wants to roll the dice on a first-time Power 4 head coach with no proven record as the lead guy.

As we get caught up on the Penn State coaching search, and with expectations of things picking up steam this week, here are some quick thoughts on a few names to know.

Brian Daboll is a real wildcard

Here’s where things get spicy. Brian Daboll, fresh off his firing by the New York Giants, is suddenly getting serious buzz. Multiple outlets have him listed as a legit candidate, and Nick Saban himself even vouched for him.

Daboll’s got no head coaching experience in college, and his last NCAA gig was at Bama in 2017 — the year they won it all. But he’s got a Super Bowl ring, a QB-development track record, and instant credibility. If Penn State wants to modernize its offense and make a splashy hire, this would be it.

The other most notable candidates?

If they play it safe, there are some mid-major options with upside:

• Bob Chesney (James Madison): 20–5 the last two years, just led JMU to an 11–1 season. Blew out Coastal Carolina. But the jump from Group of 5 to Big Ten is steep.

• Matt Campbell (Iowa State): Reliable, always hovering around 7–8 wins, but he might’ve hit his ceiling already.

• Brent Key (Georgia Tech): Nearly got the Yellow Jackets to the ACC title game. He’s got energy, but not much of a proven track record yet.

None of these scream “can’t-miss,” but they’re more stable than a total unknown.

The case for Terry Smith

Terry Smith kept the team alive. Point blank. After a brutal six-game losing streak, he took over, beat Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers, and dragged this squad to bowl eligibility. The locker room loves him. The players are backing him. And that gutsy 4th-down call to seal the Rutgers win? That was a big-time decision from a guy who believes in his team.

But passion and belief might not be enough. Penn State needs a long-term plan — NIL, recruiting, transfer portal management — and that’s where things get tricky. Smith hasn’t proven yet that he can build all that from scratch.

What the final choice says about the program

If Penn State hires Campbell or Chesney, it’s a sign they want steady and safe. If they swing for someone like Key, that’s a flexible, development-focused approach.

But if they go all-in on Daboll, that’s a message. It says they’re done playing conservative. It says they’re ready to bring the program into a new era — fast offense, NFL mindset, and high-level recruiting.

Either way, this hire isn’t just about next season. It’s about what kind of team Penn State wants to be for the next 5–10 years.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Quick thoughts on Penn State coaching search status