Buzzworthy: Six weeks in, Penn State coaching search takes next steps

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If I recall correctly, there were actually rumors that Riley was leaving OU - but for LSU, which he emphatically denied.

As important as it is to bring the best possible fit in, it's nearly as vital to keep Terry in some (hopefully elevated) capacity. Dream scenario IMO would be KDB w/ Terry as Assoc. HC. Feel like the Breneman tweet can only be aimed at a select few (KDB, Freeman, ?). CJF was a good man and I'm grateful for how he represented PSU. I'm also glad he was fired and stoked for what's ahead.

I simply do not understand how to square the information that is out there, and am forced to think we are dealing with a smokescreen, and we are in fact in talks with one of the original big swings.

SwH409 said:

As important as it is to bring the best possible fit in, it's nearly as vital to keep Terry in some (hopefully elevated) capacity. Dream scenario IMO would be KDB w/ Terry as Assoc. HC.

At this point, the only avenue for Terry Smith to be at PSU next year is if he's the HC

The wide ranging search leading us to the guy who’s been under our nose the whole time is a little too Hallmark for me.

rs3524 said:

The wide ranging search leading us to the guy who’s been under our nose the whole time is a little too Hallmark for me.

Pat Kraft and the new coach dancing on Allen Street together as snowfalls would be the perfect touch.

Lincoln Riley next coach?

Nate, are you under the impression that the ‘preferred candidate’ would be viewed as a tier-one hire by the fan base?

SwH409 said:

As important as it is to bring the best possible fit in, it's nearly as vital to keep Terry in some (hopefully elevated) capacity. Dream scenario IMO would be KDB w/ Terry as Assoc. HC. Feel like the Breneman tweet can only be aimed at a select few (KDB, Freeman, ?). CJF was a good man and I'm grateful for how he represented PSU. I'm also glad he was fired and stoked for what's ahead.

I wouldn’t consider KDB or Freeman as names “no one is talking about” Freeman not happening IMO - don’t think he leaves a great situation where he is.

ColorBlind said:

If I recall correctly, there were actually rumors that Riley was leaving OU - but for LSU, which he emphatically denied.

Looking back that is extremely funny

the longer there is no name out there, the better it is for penn state to seal the deal. almost have to think within the next 10 days a name will come out

Did not have "Terry Crushed the Interview" on my Bingo Card but absolutely should have

brp5121 said:

Did not have "Terry Crushed the Interview" on my Bingo Card but absolutely should have

I don’t think they’d leak that he bombed it

Blackheart8541 said:

I wouldn’t consider KDB or Freeman as names “no one is talking about” Freeman not happening IMO - don’t think he leaves a great situation where he is.

That’s pretty much the whole point of the tweet and this article

NateBauer said:

Penn State’s coaching search enters a pivotal stage, with candidates emerging and interim coach Terry Smith making a strong case. https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/buzzworthy-six-weeks-penn-state-coaching-search-takes-next-steps/

Dan Mullen? Neuheisal Sr?

A homerun or it's gotta be Smith. If Kraft makes a tier-2 hire over Terry, it will not go over well.

I mean, there are only so many “mystery candidates” that this could actually be that coach at a large enough program that haven’t been mentioned during this process (not counting KDB or Freeman as mystery guys). I’m not thinking that a mystery candidate would be at the level of a significantly lesser program like say PJ Fleck or Greg Schiano. Nor do I think it’s someone out of our league like Day, Kirby, Freeman, or Lanning. Maybe it’s an up and comer, or maybe it’s a guy that has had success elsewhere, but maybe things have gotten a little stale and they are looking to hit the reset button. Not saying these guys are fits…. Varying levels of getting stale - Dabo, Sark, Josh Heupel, Lincoln Riley, Campbell, Kleiman, Shane Beamer Up and Comer - Dillingham, Fisch, Rhett Lashlee, Sean Lewis

leftcoastlion said:

I simply do not understand how to square the information that is out there, and am forced to think we are dealing with a smokescreen, and we are in fact in talks with one of the original big swings.

To go back to this, the only other thing that makes any sense to me would be someone like Campbell, Heupel, Dillingham, or Fisch who have been very under the radar in the national narratives for other jobs and have been putting our false info to keep people off the scent. Maybe that would qualify.

leftcoastlion said:

To go back to this, the only other thing that makes any sense to me would be someone like Campbell, Heupel, Dillingham, or Fisch who have been very under the radar in the national narratives for other jobs and have been putting our false info to keep people off the scent. Maybe that would qualify.

None of those, in my opinion, would be near the same level of Lincoln Riley to USC like Adam mentioned in his tweet.

o_giant73 said:

None of those, in my opinion, would be near the same level of Lincoln Riley to USC like Adam mentioned in his tweet.

Agreed. For any of those names to be true, there has to be at least some info that is not quite right. I think both Dillingham and Heupel would be pretty stunning, and at least some people might find them to be pretty significant moves. The only thing that actually squares the info out there is that we are in talks with one of our original big swings.

o_giant73 said:

None of those, in my opinion, would be near the same level of Lincoln Riley to USC like Adam mentioned in his tweet.

Taking this too literally. Absolutely nobody is talking about any of those guys to Penn State, like nobody was talking about Riley to USC. Nate has never said it is a whale.

PSU1987 said:

Dan Mullen? Neuheisal Sr?

Thinking too big

Kirby smart. Lol