The Penn State coaching search has apparently circled its way back to former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll.
Daboll has gotten some pretty powerful endorsements, most notably Nick Saban saying that the 50-year-old would be an excellent hire for the Nittany Lions. There's some history there — Daboll was the QB coach/offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2017, where he helped the Crimson Tide win a national title.
Nick Saban had a strong endorsement for Brian Daboll to be Penn State’s next head coach on Pat McAfee today:
— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) November 26, 2025
"He's a very good coach. He's a bright guy. He's a good recruiter. He relates well to the players. He's a good teacher. He's got a good offensive mind. He'll be able to… pic.twitter.com/DLmTYSROC3
How did Penn State get here?
No one is going to kid themselves into thinking Daboll is the administration's top choice, especially after a 24-hour stretch where they were trying to woo BYU's Kalani Sitake before he decided to stick around Provo and probably getting a nice raise.
Penn State has been used as a leverage play for nearly every top coaching target that's been linked to the job. Sitake, Louisville's Jeff Brohm and Georgia Tech's Brent Key are the latest to get extensions with their current programs.
At least Penn State doesn't have that to worry about with Daboll. He is no longer employed by the Giants, his future in the NFL would likely be as a coordinator and there are no other P4 jobs available. The conversations can focus on football and Daboll can sell himself as a sharp offensive mind, a good recruiting, a coach that will live up to the Penn State standards and surround himself with smart, motivated people.
Fans seem to be torn on Daboll
The Penn State fanbase is exhausted and frustrated. It's completely understandable. They have had to watch every other program with a head coach opening land their first or second target...even Kentucky. The program was the butt of jokes yesterday with a two-man recruiting class and fans had to watch the once-committed blue-chip prospects flip to Virginia Tech, West Virginia and other places.
There is plenty of fan support for Daboll and plenty of detractors, as one would expect. Some fans just want this thing done. They want a coach, preferably someone that's qualified and wants to be in State College.
Since everyone is else is throwing in their two cents about the next #PennState football head coach I’ll throw in mine.
— Giustino_Racchini (@GRacchini) December 3, 2025
Brian Daboll would be a perfect fit. Has won National championships under Nick Saban at Alabama pic.twitter.com/VfxCo94PZX
Will I talk myself into Brian Daboll at Penn State? Yes, yes I will. Let’s just get this disaster search over with.
— Jeff Sattora (@jeffsattora) December 3, 2025
I'll take Daboll and be happy with it. My only concern is that he seems like the type that will jump back to the NFL once a good situation arises for him there, like BOB. I was hoping for a true college guy. But Daboll is one of the few solid options left.
— Dan O. (@DODpsu) December 4, 2025
The more I think about it, the more sense Brian Daboll as a Penn State target makes. It goes without saying that this was not Plan A, B, or C for PSU. But it is an interesting boom/bust fallback option. HC failures & lack of CFB experience acknowledged, the guy can coach offense.
— James Graham (@JamesGrahamP) December 3, 2025
It's always tough for such a loyal, supportive fanbase to go through this sort of uncertainty around their favorite team. But if the right hire is made, all will be forgiven.