Penn State HC Job Reportedly Isn't Linked to Any NFL Names 'Yet' After Franklin Fired

Penn State hasn't yet turned to the NFL ranks as the school looks for a replacement for head coach James Franklin, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer.

"I haven't heard any NFL-only names for the Penn State job yet, but Penn State simply opening, with James Franklin fired Sunday, could set off a chain reaction as schools jockey for position with top candidates," Breer wrote Monday. "And I could see a school such as Florida, which has struck out on a few guys in a row now, looking for something to energize the program."

As the NFL insider said, the Nittany Lions only announced Franklin's departure on Sunday. Associate head coach Terry Smith will lead the team on an interim basis for the remainder of the year.

With the process still in the very early stages, the search could go in a number of directions. It would be foolish for the administration not to at least vet coaches working in the NFL, even if that goes nowhere.

Jumping from the pros to the college game remains an adjustment, but the evolution of high-level college football means the sport resembles the NFL like never before. Schools are hiring general managers to oversee revenue-sharing pools. The transfer portal provides an avenue for immediate reinforcements and somewhat lessens the need for the year-round grind of traditional high school recruiting.

The "Chapel Bill" era is an unmitigated flop for North Carolina so far, but Bill Belichick taking the job in the first place was a sign of the shifting times.

When it comes to Penn State, a lot of the early candidates thrown out as possible options to succeed Franklin are proven college coaches with little to no NFL experience. Indiana's Curt Cignetti, Nebraska's Matt Rhule, Iowa State's Matt Campbell and Duke's Manny Diaz are the most popular choices.