Could the Penn State Nittany Lions leave well enough alone? That seems to be a popular trend growing inside the locker room. Whether it be long snapper Tyler Duzansky, offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh, or linebacker Amare Campbell, they had glowing things to say about their interim head coach Terry Smith. Smith took over for James Franklin after an 0-3 start to conference play.
Mark Wogenrich did a great job of unpacking this over on OnSI. These handful of Penn State players, as well as safety Zakee Wheatley, shared their thoughts on what they think about Smith, should he have the interim tag removed. The guys all seem to believe that he feels very Penn State, one who wants the best for his players, potentially someone who they could grow with and win in the long run.
Wheatley perhaps encapsulated this the best, both succinctly and honestly when discussing Smith.
"I definitely for sure feel like coach Terry Smith should have a shot at being the next Penn State head coach. Everyone loves him. I think he just bleeds Penn State."
News of Smith possibly being the guy Penn State promotes from within comes in the immediate aftermath of Franklin taking over at Virginia Tech. Franklin became the first new head coach to be hired in this offseason cycle. He replaces one of his former top assistants in Brent Pry, who was let go in Blacksburg after an 0-3 start to the campaign. Virginia Tech cannot get enough of Penn State, y'all.
Let's now unpack the possibility of Smith actually being the right gu to lead Penn State long-term.
Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith is winning over his players
Every program is different. Sometimes promoting the interim can work out spectacularly. Look no further than Dabo Swinney at Clemson or Brent Key at Georgia Tech. Key is one of the handful of candidates Penn State may try to pry away from their respective Power Four jobs. Wogenrich also mentioned Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer as fits, too.
If push comes to shove, Drinkwitz feels like the popular pick to take over for Franklin on a full-time basis. He has seemingly taken Missouri as far as it can go in the wonderful world of NIL. Drinkwitz does have strong ties to Auburn, as well as being from the state of Arkansas. He could work at a place like Florida or LSU, but there is something about him potentially being a great fit for Penn State, too.
Key has said publicly he has no interest in leaving his alma mater just yet, especially with Georgia Tech still alive to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff for the first time. Should Alabama lose the Iron Bowl to an awful Auburn team, DeBoer may come sprinting to State College. As far as other candidates, Penn State alum Matt Rhule signed an extension at Nebraska, for what it is worth.
In the end, Smith may get along with the players very well and may fit the overall vibes of being a Penn State man. That being said, Penn State was not going to move on from Franklin unless it had a strong feeling it could land someone significant in the upcoming offseason coaching carousel. Franklin will have success at Virginia Tech. Smith may be part of the next Penn State team. He just may not lead it.
Smith may need to beat Nebraska and Rutgers to go 6-6 for him to have a real shot at getting the gig.