Everything, and we mean everything is changing for Penn State football after James Franklin was fired. Originally, Terry Smith was named the interim coach and just about everyone assumed that Smith would just close out the year and AD Pat Kraft would go after a big-name candidate.
Power ranking Penn State's head coach candidates after Week 13
Things aren't that easy anymore, as Curt Cignetti, Matt Rhule and others have signed extensions. Instead, life in Happy Valley is a bit complicated, as Smith now has this team 5-6 on the year and he's even more beloved than he originally was. The players are calling for Smith to be hired. Fans are following suit. Will Kraft listen to what everyone is saying and give Smith the job, or will he break hearts by deciding to go in a different direction?
AD Pat Kraft in absolute jubilee after Penn State’s win over Nebraska.
— Avery Hill (@official_aveee) November 23, 2025
Kraft has a big-time decision looming
in the coming weeks… pic.twitter.com/CDO6y3ZH1Z
Terry Smith has fully complicated the head coach search for Penn State football
After going 3-0 to start the year, Penn State followed that up with three straight losses and Franklin was shown the door - he has since been hired by Virginia Tech and he's going hard after Nittany Lions' commits. Smith took over and the players are showing new life.
Energy was injected into the program and Penn State has posted back-to-back wins. Keep in mind that the Nittany Lions nearly stunned Indiana at home, but a miracle touchdown pass by Fernando Mendoza ended all hope of an upset.
Despite the record being 5-6, the Nittany Lions can reach bowl eligibility with a win over Rutgers to close out the regular season. The Scarlet Knights are playing terrible football right now and Penn State is favored by 10.5 points per the FanDuel sportsbook.
If Smith gets this team to a bowl game despite all the heartache that has surrounded the program, it's going to be considered a major win. Will it be enough for Kraft to give him the news that everyone is hoping for? That's fully up in the air.
Kraft could end up hiring someone else, with Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and others being linked to the job. It's not an easy call and we don't envy Kraft for the decision he needs to make. Still, the Early Signing Period is almost here and he can't afford to wait much longer.
What seemed like what was going to be a straightforward process is no longer the case. Smith has earned the role in the eyes of countless people, but at the end of the day, Kraft is the one who must step up and figure out what's best for Penn State's future.