The Penn State Nittany Lions can likely scratch another candidate off their coaching wish list.
On Thursday, ESPN “College GameDay” insider Pete Thamel reported Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule has signed a two-year contract extension with the program, which will run through the 2032 season. It includes a $15M buyout this season, which should prevent another school from poaching him.
Why Matt Rhule was considered a strong candidate to replace recently fired Penn State HC James Franklin
After Penn State fired Franklin on Oct. 12, Rhule was immediately linked to the job. As a teenager, the New York native moved to State College, where he became a walk-on linebacker for the Nittany Lions from 1994-97. He clearly still loves his alma mater.
“I love Penn State, met my wife there, my alma mater,” Rhule told the media shortly after Franklin was fired. “Fan since I was born, I think probably had a Penn State shirt when I was born. I really love [athletic director] Pat Kraft, and I’m sad to see coach Franklin go.”
While the AD for the Temple Owls, Kraft gave Rhule his first head-coaching job in 2013. Now that he has signed the extension, he can’t turn to his old friend again and must explore other options.
Where does Penn State go from here?
The list of candidates in Penn State’s head-coaching search is shrinking. The Indiana Hoosiers signed HC Curt Cignetti, another potential target, to an eight-year, $11.6M contract on Oct. 16.
The Nittany Lions could attempt to court Ole Miss Rebels HC Lane Kiffin, who has his team in the thick of the national championship hunt after a 7-1 start. However, if he does leave Oxford, expect him to stay in the SEC rather than flocking to the Big Ten. Some believe Kiffin may be the next HC of the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators.
And for any optimistic Penn State fans thinking they can lure ESPN analyst Nick Saban out of retirement, dream on. The former Alabama Crimson Tide HC has said there’s “no way” he’s returning to coaching.
Don’t bank on Penn State (3-4) promoting interim HC Terry Smith, especially after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes, 25-24, in his first game. Instead, it may target HCs Mike Elko (Texas A&M Aggies), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt Commodores) and Jeff Brohm (Louisville Cardinals).
Penn State alumni may have welcomed a homecoming for Rhule. Now, it no longer looks like a possibility.
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