Penn State’s Coaching Crossroads: Terry Smith’s Interim Success and the Road Ahead
In an unexpected turn of events, Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith has breathed new life into the Nittany Lions program with back-to-back victories, creating momentum as they prepare for their regular-season finale against Rutgers this Saturday. The stakes are significant—a win against the Scarlet Knights would make Penn State bowl eligible, capping what has become an inspiring late-season resurgence under Smith’s leadership. This revival comes at a critical juncture for the program, which is still reeling from James Franklin’s departure to Virginia Tech last week, leaving a leadership vacuum that has sparked intense speculation about who will take the permanent position.
The players have made their preference clear, rallying behind Smith with vocal support for his permanent appointment. Smith himself has emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that the longer Penn State takes to name a head coach, the greater the risk of losing valuable recruits to Franklin’s new program at Virginia Tech, particularly for the 2026 recruiting class. This player-led advocacy has created a compelling narrative as Smith prepares for his official interview with Penn State administration this week, as reported by CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. The groundswell of support from those who matter most—the student-athletes—highlights the positive culture Smith has fostered in a short time at the helm.
However, the coaching search appears to be widening, with former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll emerging as a surprise contender for the position. ESPN’s Pete Thamel noted on the “College GameDay” podcast that Daboll “has some support” in the Penn State community. Thamel emphasized that there’s “no obvious choice” for the job, suggesting that Penn State’s administration is casting a wide net. Daboll’s connection to college football includes a stint as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2017, when the Crimson Tide captured the national championship under Nick Saban—giving him at least some familiarity with the collegiate landscape, albeit in a program vastly different from Penn State.
Daboll’s NFL head coaching record presents a mixed picture. During his four seasons with the Giants, he compiled a 20-40-1 record, with his most successful campaign coming in his debut year when he led New York to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff berth in 2022. That postseason run included an upset victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card round before falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round. Despite the losing record, Daboll demonstrated an ability to maximize offensive talent and develop quarterbacks—skills that could translate well to the college game where recruiting and player development are paramount.
The 50-year-old Daboll would represent an outside-the-box hire for Penn State, bringing NFL pedigree but limited college coaching experience, and no history as a collegiate head coach. This profile stands in stark contrast to Smith, who has deep Penn State roots and has earned the trust of the current roster. The dichotomy between these candidates reflects a broader question facing Penn State: whether to prioritize continuity and cultural fit with Smith, or to pursue a potentially higher-ceiling option in Daboll, who brings big-league experience but would represent a significant pivot for the program.
As Penn State navigates this crucial decision, the administration must balance multiple factors: the passionate endorsement of current players for Smith, the program’s long-term recruiting outlook, and the potential splash that hiring someone of Daboll’s NFL pedigree might create. The Rutgers game looms large not just for bowl eligibility, but as Smith’s final audition before a decision is made. Whatever direction Penn State chooses will signal the program’s priorities moving forward—whether that means valuing the family atmosphere Smith has cultivated or pursuing the national prominence that an established NFL coach might help them achieve. In either case, the coming days will be pivotal in shaping the next chapter of Penn State football.
