Imagine Penn State making the boldest move in college football history by pursuing none other than Nick Saban to replace James Franklin. Sounds like a long shot, right? But here's where it gets controversial... Could the legendary coach, fresh off his Emmy-winning stint on ESPN College GameDay, be tempted to return to the sidelines? FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt thinks so, and he’s urging Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft to make Saban the first call in what could be the most high-stakes coaching search of the year.
Klatt, speaking on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, didn’t hold back. He believes Penn State should aim for the stars, even if it means hearing a ‘no’ from Saban. ‘I think the first call I would make is Nick Saban, just to make sure that’s not going to happen,’ Klatt said. And this is the part most people miss... By starting with Saban, Penn State sends a clear message: they’re serious about competing at the highest level. But is Saban even remotely interested? Or is this just a pipe dream?
If Saban isn’t in the cards, Klatt suggests Kraft should still swing for the fences. Names like Dan Lanning of Oregon and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame are on his radar. Freeman, in particular, is intriguing. After leading Notre Dame to a national championship game, would he consider leaving for Penn State? Bold question: Is Penn State a better job than Notre Dame? Klatt isn’t convinced, but he admits it’s a call worth making. ‘This is probably going to be the best job available in this cycle,’ he added, highlighting Penn State’s massive stadium investment and commitment to winning.
Klatt also drew parallels to Georgia’s 2015 coaching change, when they replaced Mark Richt with Kirby Smart, Saban’s former defensive coordinator. That move paid off with two national titles. Could Penn State replicate that success? ‘Maybe that’s the moment we’re in for Penn State,’ Klatt said. ‘The next guy could lift the ceiling of this program.’
Controversial take: What if Penn State’s next hire isn’t a household name but someone like Curt Cignetti, who Klatt believes deserves a call? Could an under-the-radar choice be the key to breaking through in Top-10 matchups? Or is a big-name hire the only way to truly elevate the program?
As Penn State navigates this pivotal moment, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the decisions will shape the program’s future for years to come. What do you think? Is pursuing Saban a genius move or a waste of time? And who’s your pick to lead Penn State next? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
