It’s been one of the busiest coaching carousels in recent memory, and as the calendar turns to December, Penn State is the top program with an opening remaining. The Nittany Lions fired James Franklin back on Oct. 12 with an eye on getting ahead of the carousel, but they’ll be making a hire later than programs like LSU, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas and Virginia Tech, where Franklin ultimately landed. 

There have been several public rejections with names like Matt Rhule, Curt Cignetti and Kalani Sitake all agreeing to new deals with their respective schools in the midst of being rumored Penn State candidates. Where do the Nittany Lions turn now? If you love the Nittany Lions, or just want to know who will be calling the shots for Penn State in the future, be sure to see what the proven team of experts are saying at Lions247.

Lions247 with Fight on State brings fans trusted coverage from a dedicated team of insiders. With 20+ years and a staff that includes Mark Brennan, Tyler Donohue, Tyler Calvaruso and Daniel Gallen, the site delivers daily updates, recruiting scoop, and team news. Lions247 with Fight on State is the market leader in coverage of Penn State athletics! Join the conversation and experience the power of the Lions247 with the Fight on State community. Want even more? Sign up for a VIP membership now and unlock all the insider content and features today.

And right now, Lions247 is offering 75% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at Lions247 is on their 14th version of the hot board, and and there are some surprising names on the list. Head to Lions247 now to see them all.

Top Penn State football coach candidates

One name the staff has identified as a potential target on the Penn State football coaching hot board is Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. He’s deeply connected with Ohio State after playing for the Buckeyes and then returning there in 2017 as a coach and working his way up to offensive coordinator. 

He’s viewed as an ace recruiter, and the elite receivers he’s developed at Ohio State include Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jeremiah Smith and many others. The downsides are that he has no experience coaching outside of Columbus, he’s only called plays for one year and has never been a head coach at any level. Still, he’s a name to consider for the Nittany Lions as they look for an answer in what’s turning into a lengthy search. 

“Although Hartline wouldn’t directly oversee receivers as head coach, that’s been an area of weakness for Penn State in local and national perception,” Donohue wrote. “On paper, he presents serious possibilities for a quick turnaround in that department, particularly in attracting top talent via recruiting and transfers.

“Hartline lacks the “CEO” experience as a head coach, but it’s considered only a matter of time until that changes. Known as a culture-driver and key asset within Ohio State facilities, there’s genuine curiosity on what he could accomplish beyond Columbus.” See more candidates at Lions247.

How to get insider Penn State coaching search updates 

The rest of the list includes several other exciting possibilities, including multiple coaches who currently have their team in the College Football Playoff mix. You can only see who it is by joining Lions247.

Who are the top names in the Penn State football coaching search, and which playoff-caliber coaches could the Nittany Lions take a big swing on? Go to Lions247 to see their Penn State coaching hot board and more, all from a team of reporters with extensive experience covering the Nittany Lions, and find out. 

And remember, Lions247 is offering 75% off an annual VIP membership, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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