Will Penn State Hire Terry Smith as Full-Time HC? Latest Rumors on Team's Search

Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith is reportedly garnering support for a promotion.

According to Pete Nakos of On3.com, "top-level Penn State donors are pushing" for athletic director Pat Kraft to promote Smith to the full-time head coaching position.

Smith took over the Nittany Lions following the firing of head coach James Franklin and went 3-3 over the final six games of the season for an overall record of 6-6, including three straight wins to end the year that helped the team achieve bowl eligibility.

Nakos added that Smith has gained favor with Penn State donors in part because he "orchestrated the signing of former Auburn quarterback commit Peyton Falzone with Penn State on National Signing Day." Smith also appears to have the support of his players, as Nittany Lions junior linebacker Tony Rojas advocated for his promotion on social media on Tuesday:

Nakos noted that Penn State "lost the top target of its coaching search earlier this week" when BYU head coach Kalani Sitake opted to remain with the Cougars. Indiana's Curt Cignetti, Texas A&M's Mike Elko and Nebraska's Matt Rhule reportedly were all "names of note in the search," but each of them signed contract extensions to stay at their school.

Perhaps sticking with Smith could be the best choice for the Nittany Lions as they begin a new era post-Franklin. He's a former Penn State player who has been on the coaching staff since 2014, so his ties to the program could make him the perfect candidate to lead the team into the future.