Josh Pate on his college football show recently shared his early assessment of who might land the the Penn State football coaching job.
According to Pate, one name stands above the rest right now: Matt Rhule.
“When Pete Nakos tells you Matt Rhule is the lead candidate right now until further notice, Matt Rhule is the lead candidate,” Pate stated on his college football show (4:45).
Pate’s reasoning carries weight because it stems directly from Pete Nakos, the prominent college football insider whose information typically proves accurate. For Pate and Nakos, Penn State represents the most realistic landing spot for Rhule at this particular moment.
Pate also believes that Curt Cignetti would definitely attract interest from Penn State, implying he’s a strong candidate. He also referenced Matt Campbell as someone they would go after personally, and it seems he would be on Penn State’s list of potential hires.
“Curt Cignetti absolutely will be coveted here. I told you I’d go after Matt Campbell. I think he’s on the list. The Marcus Freeman stuff’s a little interesting to me. Like, I don’t think Freeman would ever go to Penn State. That doesn’t mean Pat Kraft couldn’t take a wild swing at him,” Pate explained (4:50).
“There may be legitimacy there in a sense that Marcus Freeman’s incredible at his job. So anyone who has a job opening is dumb not to try and lure him. I don’t think he would be lured to Penn State. But again, that’s just my personal opinion speaking,” he further elaborated (5:11).
Pate further discussed about Marcus Freeman, the current head coach of Notre Dame. Pate finds the idea of Freeman being linked to Penn State interesting but doesn’t believe he would actually leave Notre Dame for that job. However, Pate also acknowledged that Pat Kraft, the college athletics administrator for Penn State, might still take a wild swing as far as his hiring his concerned.
Rhule Affirms Loyalty To Nebraska Despite Penn State Rumors
In only his second year at Lincoln, Rhule has taken the Cornhuskers to 5-1. The program, which just months ago many thought was free falling, seems reinvigorated under Rhule.
However, Rhule’s own comments add another layer of complexity to this coaching debate. He’s been complimentary toward Penn State, his alma mater, and settled any doubts saying that he is committed to building something special at Nebraska.
“I love Penn State. Met my wife there. It’s my alma mater. Probably had a Penn State shirt since I was born. I love Pat Kraft,” Rhule stated.
“I absolutely love it here (Nebraska). I want to continue to take the steps needed to turn this place into a beast,” he further elaborated.
Curt Cignetti, on the other hand, has transformed the Hoosiers into something never expected before in Bloomington with a Big Ten game. The Indiana head coach’s resume speaks for itself. Indiana recently defeated Oregon with a 30-20 win.
Read More:
- Top 5 Coaches Still On The Hot Seat Following Penn State’s Decision to Fire James Franklin Ft. Bill Belichick
- How Does James Franklin’s Contract Buyout Compare With Kirby Smart, Kalen DeBoer, Billy Napier and More? All We Know About Top Coaches’ Earnings
- “Going To Call James Franklin!!!!”: Fans React As Billy Napier’s Firing Becomes Potential Reality Post AD Scott Stricklin’s Latest Move
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
