Penn State Coaching Search Intensifies After Franklin Firing

Penn State fired head coach James Franklin on Oct. 12 after unexpected back-to-back losses and a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar, launching an active search for his replacement. Two early targets — Indiana’s Curt Cignetti and Penn State alum Matt Rhule — have removed themselves by signing contract extensions (Rhule signed a two-year Nebraska deal through 2032 reportedly including a roughly $15 million buyout; Cignetti has also signed elsewhere). Market polling and reporting (Kalshi, On3/Brett McMurphy) now list Louisville’s Jeff Brohm as the leading candidate at about 36–40%, followed by Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. The search is complicated by Franklin’s reported roughly $49 million buyout and Penn State’s recent facility and NIL investments, which athletic director Patrick Kraft is using to target high-profile candidates. Expect a busy coaching carousel as Penn State competes with other Power Four openings for top coaches.