James Franklin is gone, and so are the Nittany Lions’ hopes of being relevant in the Big Ten in 2025. PSU interim head coach Terry Smith inherits a big mess. The Lions have lost three consecutive games,

College football coach buyouts are notoriously absurd, and James Franklin’s was no different. What should PSU do about his replacement?

Rhule’s Huskers debuted in this season’s Associated Press Top 25 as Penn State fired coach James Franklin on Sunday, six games into his 11th season. Rhule played linebacker at Penn State for Joe Paterno and teamed with PSU athletic director Pat Kraft for three years at Temple to rebuild that Philadelphia program.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is among the top candidates to replace James Franklin with the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Penn State AD Patrick Kraft said "a new leader can help us win a national championship." Terry Smith will be interim head coach after James Franklin's firing.

Penn State is embarking one of the most fascinating coaching searches of the past few years after paying coach James Franklin more than $50 million in buyout money for the right to fire him. However, there's some belief around college football that the Nittany Lions already have their target: Matt Rhule.

Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck considers Rhule one of the Big Ten coaches with whom he’s closest. Along with UNLV coach Dan Mullen, they attended a Kenny Chesney concert at the Sphere in Las Vegas last summer. This weekend, Rhule and Fleck plan to bring awareness to breast cancer.

Penn State is in transition after HC James Franklin was fired this past weekend. That could mean some talented players entering the portal this offseason.