May Joe Brady Be Penn State’s Subsequent Head Coach? James Franklin's Subsequent Cease: UNC?

[ad_1] From Curt Cignetti to Matt Rhule, you've got doubtless heard of each prime attainable school coach who's a candidate to exchange James Franklin at Penn State by now. Nevertheless, FOX Sports activities' Chris "The Bear" Fallica believes there's an NFL coach value maintaining a tally of within the Penn State sweepstakes: Buffalo Payments offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

"I would not be shocked if, behind the scenes, [Terry] Pegula — the proprietor of the Payments, huge cash man and is form of the one footing the invoice for many of the buyout — possibly there's some issues occurring behind the scenes [where he's saying], ‘I will ante up the buyout cash, however Joe Brady's going to be our subsequent head coach,'" Fallica mentioned on "Bear Bets."

"I do not know if that is occurring, however there is a connection there between Pegula and Penn State. Clearly, Joe Brady, how nice he was in school at LSU and now with the Buffalo Payments, an offensive-minded head coach. That is the largest factor about Penn State proper now. Individuals are so aggravated in regards to the lack of improvement with the quarterback play and on the offensive aspect of the ball."

As "The Bear" talked about, there are a number of hyperlinks that might naturally make Brady a candidate to exchange Franklin. Pegula's a Pennsylvania native and a Penn State alum who has an extended historical past of creating expensive donations to the college, similar to his $102 million donation for the development of its ice hockey area.

Nevertheless, there have been a number of rumors that Adidas, who Penn State is ready to companion with on athletic attire beginning in 2026, pushed for Franklin's firing and helped foot the invoice for the $49 million buyout. A Penn State spokesperson advised Entrance Workplace Sports activities that the report was "patently false," although, including that "Adidas shouldn't be serving to to pay the buyout for Coach Franklin."

No matter who's paying the invoice for Franklin's firing, Brady's made himself a viable head coach candidate on the NFL degree during the last couple of years, interviewing for a number of positions. Josh Allen had his finest seasons working with Brady, successful MVP in Brady's first full season as offensive coordinator in 2024. Previous to changing into the Payments quarterbacks coach in 2022, Brady rose to prominence in 2019, when he helped Joe Burrow have arguably the best particular person season in school soccer historical past and win the Heisman as LSU's passing sport coordinator.

Brady wasn't the one long-shot candidate who was talked about as a chance to exchange Franklin at Penn State throughout the discussions on "Bear Bets." If Penn State cannot land Cignetti, FOX Sports activities playing analyst Sam Panayotovich thinks they need to go after the coach who succeeded him at James Madison.

"Penn State ought to do its due diligence on Bob Chesney. Bob Chesney has received in every single place he is been," Panayotovich mentioned. "This man wins. The gamers love him. … I feel he deserves each alternative."

Chesney has had a comparatively unorthodox stand up the teaching ranks. He solely coached on the Division II or III degree earlier than James Madison employed him forward of the 2024 season, however he has a 125-51 all-time file as a head coach. He has gone 14-5 at James Madison to date, posting a 9-4 file in 2024 and has the Dukes out to a 5-1 begin this yr. He is additionally a Pennsylvania native.

And as for what's subsequent for Franklin, "The Bear" has an thought on the place he ought to subsequent.

"North Carolina provides Invoice Belichick a smooth touchdown spot, and says, 'It did not go like we thought and we will mean you can retire, resign — nonetheless you wish to phrase it.' Herald James Franklin to Chapel Hill, North Carolina," "The Bear" mentioned. "Who says no to that?"

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