A Penn State insider has released a list of surprising names of coaches who could be candidates for the vacant head coaching position. Nittany Lions officials have already stated that no stone will be left unturned. Further, the candidate who everyone might think is not going anywhere, might fit.
You can take Texas A&M coach Mike Elko off of the list of potential coaches for Penn State University, predicated upon the gargantuan extension he signed last week with the Aggies. He might be the only name capable of being definitely crossed off by university officials.
Nittany Sports Now columnist Kyle Golik, lays out a litany of coaches that might be tempted to leave their current jobs for the top job at Happy Valley. He also includes his "dream scenario" that a current head coach with a good foundation and coaching staff will pick up his stakes and come to State College, PA.
Golik lays out his wish list. His prime candidate for what he deems "a crazy flip" would be current Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer. Golik maintains that there appears to have been dialogue between DeBoer and Nittany Lions athletic director Pat Kraft.
He would rate DeBoer going to Penn State as crazy as Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma for Southern California or Brian Kelly saying adios to Notre Dame for Louisiana State.
The next best choice on his wish list is Eli Drinkowitz from Missouri.
"Drinkwitz lands in this tier because there’s growing chatter that he may be the SEC coach who makes a jump," Golik said. "With Ole Miss giving Lane Kiffin an ultimatum to commit before the Egg Bowl, the Rebels are signaling that he needs to focus on the College Football Playoff rather than being the “irresistible Southern Belle” constantly courted by other programs."
Should Kiffin stay at Ole Miss, expect Florida and Auburn to compete with the Nittany Lions for Drinkwitz's services. As much as Golik likes Drinkwitz as a candidate, he believes he will go somewhere other than Penn State.
Sep 5, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; James Madison Dukes head coach Bob Chesney argues a call with an official during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn ImagesThe next candidate Golik likes is a true quarterback whisperer. Eric Morris, the head coach at North Texas is deserving of attention.
Morris is a Mike Leach disciple and has coached premier quarterbacks like three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, and Cam Ward, who was the top pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and starts for the Tennessee Titans.
Currently, Morris coaches Drew Mestemaker who happens to lead his conference in passing yards, yards per attempt and efficiency rating. Morris is a master at finding talent anywhere and turning them into quality college and professional players.
The top of Golik's "Hot Board" is Bob Chesney, the current head coach at James Madison. Golik said that Chesney is a popular choice due to the fact that JMU is sitting pretty for its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
"Chesney is rapidly becoming a coveted name. With James Madison in prime position for its first College Football Playoff appearance via the Group of Five at-large bid, his stock is rising fast," Golik said. "The Kulpmont, Pennsylvania native has won nine conference or divisional championships across four levels of college football. If JMU secures a CFP berth, Chesney’s profile will only strengthen."
Other hot coaches, according to NSN, include Brian Hartline, Matt Campbell, Pat Fitzgerald and Kliff Kingsbury.