Top candidates for Penn State football's next head coach continue filtering in and out. Some names enter the mix who are likely, but not ideal in the sense of upgrading from James Franklin, like Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule. Other names are likely and an upgrade, but were wiped off the table very quickly, like Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti. In the middle of all of this, there are still possibilities are being overlooked regardless of how "likely" they are.
The Nittany Lions need a difference maker, one with a ceiling that exceeds what Franklin's was. Even with all the criticism surrounding the former head coach, his ceiling he hit at Penn State isn't necessarily easy to surpass. Not only is it a high baseline for candidates to meet, but what candidates succeeding at that level will leave the team they built to come to Happy Valley?
No matter how farfetched the possibility is, the Nittany Lions won't know if they don't try. Here are two big calls and big swings Penn State should make. Leave no stone left unturned.
If the Nittany Lions are thinking big beyond the initial string of top candidates — and they should be — it doesn't get much bigger than Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. Even an inkling of possibility is enough for Penn State to try and poach Freeman from the Fighting Irish.
Freeman holds a 38-12 overall record with Notre Dame as he's in the midst of his fourth season with the program. He holds an 8-4 record against top 10 teams and 14-5 record against top 25 teams. In 2024, he took the Fighting Irish all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game (after beating Penn State, of course).
This is the kind of resume the Nittany Lions need. They need a head coach that can win big games, have a winning record against equally talented (or more talented) teams, and go farther than Franklin could. Freeman proved he can beat Penn State. He proved he can out-coach Franklin. He proved he can do it in a short amount of time.
In regards to recruitment, Notre Dame beat the Nittany Lions out countless times with the class of 2026 (and 2027 following Franklin's departure). A trail of talented prospects might follow in Freeman's footsteps all the way back to State College if he were to jump ship. That's a a nearly perfect foundation to start piecing Penn State back together.
Realistically, the Fighting Irish have Freeman secured. There's no real reason for him to leave Notre Dame, the timing isn't right, but does that mean athletic director Pat Kraft should let the thought come and go? No. It's better to think "Why not?" now than "What if?" later.
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz is another swing for Kraft to take. While Freeman is essentially a shot in the dark, Drinkwitz never said he wasn't interested in the position.
Penn State fans hungry for the type of culture Eli Drinkwitz has built at Mizzou
The Nittany Lions are looking for someone that can rebuild the program. Drinkwitz can do just that. Though his top 10 and top 25 records are not decorated how Penn State prefers, he's on track to getting the Tigers into the CFP. Freeman did it in 2024, it's a great resume builder for Penn State's position if Drinkwitz does it in 2025.
He has the passion and fire to play games all the way to the end no matter where he plays in the country. It's determination that follows through, not hope that dies. The Nittany Lions need on-paper results, not moral victories or concepts of success. After the way 2025 panned out too for both teams, why wouldn't Penn State be intrigued by the possibility of quarterback Beau Pribula returning to Happy Valley for his final season?
Like other potential SEC head coach candidates, jumping ship over to the Big Ten isn't a terrible idea for those who might struggle keeping up with powerhouses in the conference. For Drinkwitz to continue building on his success as a head coach, he needs the resources and longevity to do so. Penn State has that to offer.
In comparison to Freeman, the timing makes more sense for Drinkwitz. Opposing Drinkwitz's candidacy, though, is he's one of the highest-paid coaches in the country. No one is going to be the clearcut candidate where everything lines up perfectly, though. Both are calls that should be made. Neither should be overlooked nor taken off the board before they even get on it.