Penn State has changed the scope of its national coaching search to replace former head coach James Franklin.
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The Nittany Lions considered possible replacements from the Big Ten early in the search. However, Nebraska made sure to lock up Matt Rhule and Indiana gave Curt Cignetti a sizeable contract extension in October.
PSU is looking to the south for potential candidates. Texas A&M’s Mike Elko is one of the hottest names for the Nittany Lions, as no contract extension from the Aggies was announced during their bye in Week 10.
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Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea appears to be in a position to take the PSU gig if they want to hire him.
Per Tyler Donohue of 247 Sports, there have been “rumblings” regarding Penn State and Lea as contract negotiations between Vandy and Lea have not been “fruitful” this fall.
Lea’s camp reportedly feels the Commodores are trying to take advantage of him in talks.
“It was suggested that, though Lea aims for a long-term run at Vanderbilt, there is some (frustration) regarding the school potentially “trying to take advantage” of his status as a school alum and Nashville native who has obvious motivation to stick around,” Donohue wrote.
“His current salary of $3.7 million is barely inside top-60 rankings nationally and it’s last among SEC leaders. That’s not much more than Penn State is paying defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.”
Lea is 23-35 overall and 8-29 in SEC play in his fifth season at Vandy. The Commodores are ranked No. 15 before they host Auburn on Nov. 8. Vandy will then finish the season hosting Kentucky on Nov. 22 and traveling to play Tennessee on Nov. 29.
If Vandy wins out, there is a good chance the two-loss SEC program will make the College Football Playoff.
Interestingly enough, PSU’s last coaching hire came from Vanderbilt. Franklin left Vandy following the 2013 season. He went 24-15 during his three seasons with the Commodores.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.