The Penn State Nittany Lions continue to miss out on head coaching targets as the search for their next program leader wears on.
Athletic director Patrick Kraft and Penn State fired longtime head coach James Franklin after the Nittany Lions' 3-3 start to the 2025 college football season. Now several weeks later, the team remains without a replacement.
Most head coaching vacancies have been filled at this point, leaving Penn State with dwindling options. This lack of options has resulted in many fans and analysts thinking outside the box for the Nittany Lions' next head coach.
Former NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes Penn State should hire current Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin has been the Steelers' head coach for the last 19 years, winning a Super Bowl title with Roethlisberger in 2008 and notching an NFL-record 18 consecutive non-losing seasons. But during this past Sunday's Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, "Fire Tomlin" chants rained down onto the field at Acrisure Stadium.
...More Football: Penn State Under Fire for Ignoring Prime Coaching Candidate
Roethlisberger believes Tomlin would be wildly successful with a "fresh start" in Happy Valley.
“It’s being talked about around here a lot: Maybe it’s a clean-house time. Maybe it’s time,” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast. “I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin. But maybe it’s best for him, too. Maybe a fresh start for him is what’s best. Whether that’s in the pros, maybe go be Penn State’s head coach. You know what he would do in Penn State? He would probably go win national championships. Because he’s a great recruiter.”
More Football: NFL Removes Eagles From Primetime in New Schedule Announcement
Penn State missed out on its reported top target, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, when he announced his decision to return to Provo on Tuesday evening. Names like Louisville HC Jeff Brohm, Ohio State OC Brian Hartline and former New York Giants HC Brian Daboll have been floated as remaining options for the Nittany Lions.
Tomlin and the 6-6 Steelers will look to get their 2025 NFL season back on track in a Week 14 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
NCAAFlorida Gators’ Jon Sumrall Makes Heartwarming Tim Tebow Admission3 min read
NCAAOhio State Receives Brutal News Before Showdown With Indiana3 min read
NCAADan Lanning, Oregon Land Intriguing CFP Outlook Amid ‘Distraction’2 min read
NCAAPenn State Could Make Stunning Push for Legendary Coach3 min read
NCAALSU, Lane Kiffin Poaching Key Member of Ole Miss’ Remaining Staff2 min read
NCAAUrban Meyer Urges NCAA to Make Massive Change to College Football3 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsExclusive: Democrat Targets Trump’s $175B Immigration Funds for Housing7 min read
For MembersNewsUncommon Knowledge: Will Trump Accounts Pay Off?6 min read
NewsUkraine War Live Updates: Russia Says No ‘Compromise’ Peace Deal Reached2 min read
PoliticsDemocrat Says Trump Admin’s ‘Absurd’ Actions Will Help ICE Bill Succeed6 min read
OpinionHas President Trump Ushered in an Era of Peace in the Middle East? Newsweek Contributors Debate6 min read
U.S.Exclusive: Melania Trump’s Immigration Lawyer Responds to New Citizenship Bill5 min readTrending
WeatherList of Schools Closed Tuesday as Snowstorm Hits4 min read
TennesseeTennessee Special Election: Behn Teases Another Run After Losing to Van Epps2 min read
Winter StormWinter Storm Warning As 12 Inches of Snow To Hit: ‘Delay All Travel’3 min read
ViralCat Arrives at Vet for Neuter, Staff Not Ready for What’s in the Carrier3 min read
CitizenshipCitizenship Requirements to Change For Millions of Americans Under New Bill4 min readOpinion
OpinionLebanon 2.0—Shepherding the Path to Peace | Opinion4 min read
OpinionThe Cost of Detaining Immigrants Working Legally | Opinion5 min read
OpinionProsecuting Congress for Stating the Law: An Impeachable Offense | Opinion4 min read
For MembersOpinionConventional Wisdom: Trump Pardons Former Honduran President3 min read
OpinionRand Paul: My Proposal Will Improve Health Care and Lower Costs | Opinion4 min read
