Joel Klatt makes a bold suggestion for Penn State's coaching search: aim for the very top.
The recent firing of James Franklin as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions has sparked intense speculation about who will take the helm. Among the myriad of potential candidates, sports analyst Joel Klatt has thrown a curveball by proposing a name that would shake up the college football world: Nick Saban.
During his appearance on 'The Herd', Klatt urged Pat Kraft, Penn State's athletic director, to think big. He believes that Penn State should aim for the stars and start their search with the biggest name in the game, Nick Saban, and work their way down from there.
Klatt's statement is a real eye-opener: "I think Pat Kraft will take a bold approach. I believe no one is off-limits on his list. If I were in his shoes, I'd start with the biggest name possible. I know it sounds wild, but my first call would be to Nick Saban. Just to ensure it's not an option, and then move down the list of top coaches in the country." But here's where it gets controversial—is this a realistic suggestion?
Nick Saban, a legendary figure in college football, boasts an impressive record of 297-71-1 across his tenures at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, and Alabama. He has claimed seven national titles with the Tigers and the Crimson Tide. Despite retiring almost two years ago, Saban's name continues to circulate as a potential coaching option, despite the unlikelihood of his return.
As Penn State's search continues, Klatt maintains that Saban should be their first choice, even if it's just to receive a rejection. This strategy might seem unconventional, but it underscores the importance of aiming high.
Klatt also suggested other top coaches, including Oregon's Dan Lanning and Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman, both of whom led their teams to the College Football Playoff last year. He also mentioned Indiana's Curt Cignetti before his recent contract extension.
Regarding Freeman, Klatt said, "I think he'd get a call, but would he leave Notre Dame after reaching the national championship? I'm not convinced. He likely wants to build something special there. Is Penn State a better opportunity than Notre Dame? In my opinion, it isn't. But it's a call I'd make if I were Pat Kraft."
Despite these considerations, Klatt emphasizes that Penn State should be ambitious. He believes the Nittany Lions could be the most attractive job on the market this offseason and might be just one hire away from achieving their program's next milestone.
Klatt's final thoughts are intriguing: "This is a good job, but is it a great job in college football? In this cycle, it might be the best available. Even if other top jobs open up, like Florida, Florida State, Wisconsin, or LSU, I'm not sure they'd be better than Penn State. The university is in an ideal position with its stadium investment, willingness to pay James Franklin's buyout, and an athletic director committed to success." And this is the part most people miss—is Klatt's suggestion a long shot, or is it a strategic move to set a high bar for the coaching search?
