Penn State’s coaching search enters December with the process at day 50 as Pat Kraft hunts for the Nittany Lions’ next head football coach. The athletic director dismissed James Franklin on October 12, and since then he has been assessing candidates. Interim head coach Terry Smith has steered the team to a 3-3 record since taking over about six weeks ago. He has expressed interest in the full-time role but is not expected to land the job.
"It taught me a lot," Smith said Saturday night after the win over Rutgers when asked about his interim experience. "It taught me that I can truly do this job. It taught me patience. It taught me the magnitude of one of the biggest jobs in college football. And it taught me that I share a special bond with the people and my players, and that as I move forward in coaching, I must lean into that and build on it.
I’m a trust-first person, and I always tell my players when I recruit them that trust comes first so they can trust me second. Trust is earned. That’s why they care for me. That’s why they respect me. You know, correcting Zion Tracy firmly because I care about him and am giving him proper guidance—that’s the essence of that bond. I’m grateful for these guys. They work incredibly hard. I couldn’t ask for more. It’s been a good run."
With Penn State unlikely to have its next head coach in place before National Signing Day on the Class of 2026, the timetable shifts to securing leadership as soon as possible ahead of the January 2 transfer portal opening.
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"That’s what you expect from QB1," Smith said. "They have to lead the entire team. Because as that guy goes, we go. If he doesn’t lead, you know the deal across college and pro football: no team wins a championship without that guy, and everyone’s chasing that leader. Our future is bright. This guy’s only getting better, gaining valuable experience, and he’s growing up right before us."
PSU interim head coach Terry Smith on QB Ethan Grunkemeyer
