The situation is comparable to what the University of Miami experienced a few years ago. They recruited Mario Christobal away from the University of Oregon. He came to rebuild his alma mater. Penn State should focus on those coaches who have a PSU DNA.   

Factors to take into consideration for the Penn State Board of Trustees should include:

·       Prior Head Coaching experience:    The role of Head football coach at Penn State is not suitable for a first-time head coach. It is not meant for a first-time head coach. This position requires a seasoned leader.

It is not meant for someone who is merely the hot coordinator of the moment.   There is no on-the-job learning in this program.

·       Alumni: You want someone who winning at State College means more than just financial gain.   You want someone connected to the program’s history. This person should be driven to restore it to its former glory.

·       Current coach in football: With modern college football, you must hire someone heavily involved in the current recruiting. They should be familiar with NIL and the world of the transfer portal.    You need someone who can relate to players. They should not be offended if players are seeking an NIL deal. Players might also seek assurances of playing time.

·       College playoff coaching experience:   The goal is to reach college football playoffs. We need a head coach who can sell the idea that they know what it takes to get there. Achieving this would do wonders for the program and recruiting.

·       NFL coaching experience: A head coach who has coached at a professional level is valuable for players. This experience serves as a great selling point.  

Pro football is the ultimate goal for almost all players. Having a head coach with a resume that shows they have reached that level would enhance their qualifications. It would be a fantastic addition.

·       Recruiting Prowess:  Any college coach needs to have demonstrated their strength to recruit in the past. They should help bring the best players into a program.  

The head coach must delegate duties to a talented staff. They also need to be the closer on key recruits. This will help take the program to its highest levels. 

·       Culture Match: This goes to hiring someone who knows what the program means. They understand what the alumni want. This person can walk the line of taking the program ahead. They are not threatened by past success.

I considered guys like Greg Schiano, Matt Rhule, Manny Diaz, and a few others. Still, the one man who checks all the boxes to succeed at Penn State is Al Golden. He is the current Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator and a former Penn State assistant.