Will Joe Paterno Last Another Year? 10 Possible Penn State Football Replacements

The college football season will start with a familiar face on the sidelines in Happy Valley.

With the trademark khakis rolled up and the thick glasses on his face, Joe Paterno will look to move into second place on the all-time coaching victories leader board.

With over 400 wins and more bowl victories than all but a few elite college football programs to his name, Paterno needs to prove nothing. Still, at 84 years old, heading into the 2011 season and with rumor mills spinning at the sign of a cough or high fever, many are left to contemplate the future of the Penn State program.

Paterno is entering the final year of a three-year contract but it appears likely that he will be allowed to stay in charge of the football program for as long as he desires. It's a privilege he has more than earned. But the reality is that someday there will be a new head coach leading the blue and white. For now, let's presume that 2012 will see a coaching change at Penn. Who will that be?

Forget Al Golden. With his decision to accept a head coaching position at Miami, he is locked up by the Hurricanes for 2012 by his contract presumably. Other names that should be tossed aside are coaches Bill Cowher and John Gruden. It would not fall in line with Penn State's line of thinking to go for a big splash like that, but it doesn't mean some big names in college football should be completely ruled out.

Here is a look at ten names that should be observed over the next year, just in case a change is coming. Feel free to add your own names in the comments section below.

1. Tom Bradley, Penn State Defensive Coordinator, The In-House Answer

The only man on the current staff who is likely to have a realistic shot at succeeding Paterno is defensive coordinator Tom Bradley.

Bradley has been on the staff for three decades and has been a popular name for coaching jobs at Pittsburgh (twice) and possibly Connecticut. This off-season saw Bradley being turned down for the head coaching job at Pittsburgh, twice. Recruits like him, but his defensive style has its flaws.

If Penn State decides to stay in-house for their next coach, an option that is frowned upon by some, Bradley is easily the front-runner.

2. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Head Coach, The Big Ten Favorite

Pat Fitzgerald may be one of the best coaches in the Big Ten, but Northwestern does not have the kind of talent to truly show him off. Everything Fitzgerald does appears to be done the way Paterno would approve of.

Fitzgerald has remained committed to Northwestern, where he was a stand-out linebacker, but if he feels he is ever ready to take the next step with a bigger football program, Penn State would seem to satisfy his interests based on his style and philosophy.

Fitzgerald is 33-29 as a head coach and is 0-3 with Northwestern but considering Northwestern's last bowl win came in the 1949 Rose Bowl, Fitzgerald may get more credit for taking the Wildcats to three consecutive bowl trips.

3. Chris Petersen, Boise State Head Coach, The BCS Buster

Chris Petersen has won more BCS games in the BCS era than Joe Paterno. Of course, Petersen has won more BCS games than many coaches.

What Petersen has done at Boise State has been nothing short of incredible. The rise to success in Boise has left many fans across the country wishing their school would make a run for Petersen when they need a head coach. But Petersen appears to be perfectly fine staying in Boise, where he remains out of the spotlight more than he would at a bigger program such as Penn State.

Boise State has made every effort to keep Petersen happy in their program. He may not be interested in moving anywhere, but if Penn State gives him a phone call, expect him to at least listen.

Petersen has accumulated an impressive 61-5 record since 2006, including a 3-2 bowl record highlighted by one of the most memorable Fiesta Bowls in college football history and a second BCS victory against TCU in 2010.


4. Urban Meyer, Retired, The Big Splash

Urban Meyer's final college football game was an Outback Bowl victory against Penn State, so there would be a bit of irony if Meyer were to be a candidate to replace Paterno.

Penn State would probably not go after a big name to replace Paterno, but after having a year off from the game, Meyer may get the itch to coach again and Penn State could be an interesting fit.

Meyer has battled stress issues but it would be interesting to see if taking over a less stressful position, although still high-profile, would be intriguing to the coach who had more of his share of success in the hotly contested SEC. A pair of BCS titles to his name, Penn State would be making the wrong move if they did not even make a phone call to Meyer.

Meyer retired with a 104-23 record, including an impressive 7-1 bowl record, two national championships and two SEC (and two Mountain West) championships.

5. Greg Schiano, Rutgers Head Coach, The Oldie but Goodie

There was a time not so long ago, when it seemed like the favorite to land the next head coaching job at Penn State would be Greg Schiano of Rutgers. That flame that was ignited during a surprising 11-2 2006 season at Rutgers has since fizzled but he may still be a viable candidate.

Schiano has turned down opportunities to go elsewhere and has stayed at Rutgers. Given his knowledge of the New Jersey and Northeast region, he would appear to be a great fit for Penn State in terms of recruiting.

Schiano's record at Rutgers is 59-63 overall but includes five winning seasons at Rutgers, which should speak something to his ability to produce wins.

6. K.C. Keeler, Delaware Head Coach, The Overlooked Option

Admittedly this is a very long shot, but Penn State is going to take a peak at what the world of FCS football has to offer, they may not have to look very far. Delaware's K.C. Keeler has led a very good program since 2002, following a successful stint at division three Rowan. Keeler has built a 162-63-1 career record, highlighted by a national championship in 2003.

There is a precedent in the Big Ten for an FCS coach achieving a level of success in the conference. Ohio State's Jim Tressel took over in Columbus after coaching at Youngstown State.

Tressel's image may not be the same today as it used to be, but it should be something for Penn State to consider.

7. Galen Hall, Penn State Offensive Coordinator, The Sleeper Coordinator

Galen Hall’s age (70) may actually play against him as a candidate for the job, but Hall has previous head coaching experience in college, the NFL and more and is already fixed into the Penn State family and system.

Like Bradley, Hall lacks bringing in a breath of fresh air to the program and his effect on the football team may actually be a hindrance to advancing the program.

Hall has split the offensive play calling with Jay Paterno, which means he would be taking a lot more responsibility as a head coach compared to another offensive coordinator taking over the program.

8. Bud Foster, Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator, The Long Shot Defensive Coordinator

In time, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster is bound to find a head coaching job that he wants to take over. If holding out for a shot at Virginia Tech is his plan, than so be it. Foster has been the defensive coordinator for Frank Beamer since 1995 and he has been on the coaching staff since 1987. It would appear that Foster is a Hokie.
Foster’s track record speaks for itself.  The 2000 AFCA Defensive Coordinator of the Year has created a tradition of strong defense at Virginia Tech.

Foster, like Bradley, flirted with the idea of taking over the head coaching job at Pittsburgh, but decided to stay at Virginia Tech. If anything, it showed that there is interest in becoming a head coach, which means Penn State would be wise to have him on a list of candidates.

9. Gus Malzahn, Auburn Offensive Coordinator, The Long Shot Offensive Coordinator

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn elevated to national prominence in 2010 with the wild success of Cam Newton at Auburn on the field. This made him a lucrative coaching candidate and Vanderbilt was hoping to bring him on board to fill their vacancy this season. It was not meant to be and Auburn made Malzahn one of the highest paid assistants in the country after he turned down the Vanderbilt job.

Clearly Penn State would have to offer a significant contract to attract Malzahn away from Auburn, although if Penn State offered a contract similar to what Vanderbilt offered, it may end in a different result given the programs’ different national reputation.

10. Dabo Swinney, Clemson Head Coach, The 2011 Coach to Watch Pick

Pay attention to Clemson’s Dabo Swinney this season. If Penn State finds themselves needing a new head coach for 2012 and Clemson has a solid season in the ACC, do not be surprised if Swinney becomes a coach entertaining offers from other football programs with a bigger wallet.

Clemson is not a bad program but the last ten win season came in 1990. If Swinney can win ten games this season and make something out of a recruiting class that has received great praise, then imagine what he might be able to do at Penn State.

The jury is still out on Swinney, but an ACC championship in 2011 could make a statement to programs in need of a new head coach, including Penn State.

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Twitter   @CFBExaminer.