The Penn State Coaching Conundrum: Unraveling the Rhule Debate
In a recent episode of I-80 LIVE, Josh Peterson and Jack Mitchell tackled a burning question from a subscriber: Could Matt Rhule be Penn State's next head coach? A lively debate ensued, exploring the likelihood of James Franklin's departure and the potential candidates to fill his shoes.
Here's a transcript of their engaging conversation, lightly edited for clarity:
Josh: I doubt Matt Rhule will be Penn State's top choice. I'd say he's more of a second-tier candidate.
Jack: Who do you think might be on that first list, then?
Josh: Well, I'd give [Curt] Cignetti a shot, despite his age. I mean, it might be famous last words, but I don't think Penn State is hiring Rhule. He's not the solution to their current issues. "Hey, let's bring in a culture coach who loses big games?" That's Rhule's reputation right now!
Jack: But what if he surprises everyone and beats UCLA in the Rose Bowl? Penn State fans might take notice.
Josh: "I want a coach who can beat UCLA."
Jack: "That's exactly what we need!"
Josh: I just don't see it. Why would Penn State let Franklin go and then hire someone similar? That's my concern.
Jack: But fans want a change.
Josh: They want fresh faces, not more of the same.
Jack: What do you mean by a 'new version' of Franklin? I'm not talking about X's and O's, but Rhule's Q rating is higher.
Josh: They're both culture-focused guys. They build teams on culture. And they both struggle against ranked teams.
I think the fan base would revolt if Penn State hired Rhule. So, if you're a Rhule fan, don't worry about him going to Penn State. If you're not a fan, you might be disappointed, but I doubt it'll happen. I'd be shocked if they even considered him seriously.
Jack: I agree, but sometimes you don't get your first choice. Or maybe Rhule's stock rises, and Penn State fans warm up to the idea.
It's not a zero chance, but I don't think it's likely. I'd be more surprised if they called Lane Kiffin.
Josh: That's the strategy - target big names with successful track records. But here's a fun idea: what if they went after Brian Kelly? He's struggling at LSU, but he's had success in the north. Maybe he needs to return north. It'd be a hilarious move!
Finding the right coach is tough. People questioned Bo Pelini's replacement, but I don't think there's an obvious choice for Penn State. It's a challenging job, especially in the new Big Ten and college football eras.
Jack: I predicted fan disappointment if they don't reach the semifinals or finals.
Josh: They won't even make the playoffs.
Jack: It's a nightmare scenario for them, and it's still early in the season!
Josh: They still face Indiana, Ohio State, and Iowa.
Jack: I think there's a greater than 50% chance Franklin is gone.
Josh: I think he'll leave. His buyout is $50 million! I doubt Penn State will pay that, especially with their $700 million stadium renovation. Plus, they're paying players now.
As for Franklin's next move, he might return to the south. Jobs like Florida or Arkansas could open up.
Jack: An article on Onward State suggests Penn State fans want Franklin gone. It lists potential replacements, including Rhule, who they say has the best odds if Franklin departs.
Josh: Interesting. But the article also mentions Rhule's poor record against top-ranked teams, which is why Penn State fans are frustrated with Franklin.
Jack: It's a valid point.
Josh: Matt Campbell would be a great hire.
Jack: Agreed.
Josh: What if Franklin moves on? How would Penn State fans react? People have worried about Rhule's potential return since he was hired. It's a scenario we've all considered.
Jack: Imagine if Rhule beats Penn State? That changes everything.
Josh: It'd be hilarious. But I still think his lack of success against top programs will hurt his chances.
This debate is just a snippet of the full podcast, which also covered Rhule's candidacy and a preview of Nebraska's game against Maryland. For the full episode and more exclusive content, consider subscribing to I-80 Club for as low as $5 a month. Stay tuned for more Huskers coverage on Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, HuskerMax on YouTube, and HuskerMax.com.
