Penn State football head coaching board: A new top target emerges

Penn State’s coaching search is beginning to heat up, with one of the top candidates signing an extension and potential options coming into focus to replace James Franklin, who was fired on Oct. 12.

Every week we’ll rank the top five candidates (with another group of names to ponder and information on anyone who falls out of the top five) as the search progresses. The rankings will be based on a combination of who the program is targeting at the time, according to several sources, along with the likelihood that the candidate is a real possibility. Earlier in the process, the rankings skewed more toward the former. But now that it’s later in the process, it will skew toward the latter as candidates say no, take other jobs, or sign extensions with their current programs.

With that being said, here’s version 4.0 of our coaching board.

1. Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key (Last week: 5)

There’s an argument to be made that one and two on the board are in a dead heat for the top spot and could go either way depending on if you weigh likeliness of accepting or who Penn State is prioritizing more. Key gets the top spot because the former is more of a priority here as the search winds closer to an end. He was aggressive in his loyalty to Georgia Tech, his alma mater, saying “Slice me open and see what colors I bleed” earlier this month — but he wouldn’t be the first head coach to say one thing then do another. It’s no guarantee that he gets the offer or that he takes it, but right now Key is the strongest combination of the candidates when it comes to being someone Penn State likes and someone who is realistically hireable.

2. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer (Last week: 4)

DeBoer is the other candidate at the top of the list right now and is still the program’s primary target — it’s just more likely that Key is available and willing to take the job. That being said, the Alabama head coach is much more likely now than he was last week after the Crimson Tide lost to Oklahoma. If they lose to Auburn to close out the season, likely guaranteeing they miss the playoff, the tension will be high in Tuscaloosa. He’s not a great fit at the program already, and not making the CFP in his first two seasons will have the fan base — and more importantly, donors — on edge, and some are already there after the loss to Oklahoma.

3. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman (Last week: 2)

If one and two are a near-tie, then everyone else is getting lapped in the race. Freeman isn’t all that likely, but Penn State is still targeting him, and he hasn’t shut the door completely. Has he mostly shut it? Sure, but as long as it’s cracked Penn State will try. Freeman is far more likely to leave for the NFL or Ohio State the next time it comes open.

4. James Madison head coach Bob Chesney (Last week: Names to ponder)

Things get interesting after the top three. If DeBoer stays at Alabama, Key sticks with his alma mater and Freeman slams the door, things will really open up. At that point, there will be plenty of options on the table, but it’s still more likely than not that Penn State plucks a sitting head coach. Chesney will be targeted by other programs for their openings too, and UCLA is one worth monitoring for him. But the Nittany Lions have interest and, it would not be a surprise if he gains some steam in the search sooner rather than later.

5. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz (Last week: 3)

Drinkwitz has become a popular name in most coaching searches and at this point is more likely to end up at one of the SEC openings than he is to end up at Penn State. Florida continues to be an appealing option for him, and LSU would be as well if they come calling.

Who fell off and why?

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko (Last week: 1)

Elko was Penn State’s top target, but that ended when he signed an extension with the Aggies. While the timing would have been difficult, there was genuine interest in Penn State from Elko. Ultimately, Texas A&M was one of the few programs capable of making a comparable offer to Penn State and was able to keep him.

Names to ponder: Duke head coach Manny Diaz, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein, Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule

This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM.

Jon Sauber

Centre Daily Times

(814) 231-6461

Jon Sauber covers Penn State football and men’s basketball for the Centre Daily Times. He earned his B.A. in digital and print journalism from Penn State and his M.A. in sports journalism from IUPUI. His previous stops include jobs at The Indianapolis Star, the NCAA, and Rivals.