Penn State University made a seismic decision this weekend, parting ways with head coach James Franklin after a decade-plus tenure marked by flashes of brilliance but a crushing 2025 season. 

The Nittany Lions’ recent skid—three straight losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern—prompted the administration to absorb a staggering buyout exceeding $48 million to move on from Franklin.

The search for a new head coach is now underway, and one name has emerged as a surprising contender: LSU’s Brian Kelly. 

Brian Kelly linked to Penn State head coaching job

According to Sports Illustrated, Kelly is a candidate to watch. “There’s a case to be made that Kelly and Franklin were the two most successful head coaches not to have won a national title and that going from one to the other will only produce the same results in State College, Pa,” the outlet noted. 

However, they added, “Kelly is a serial winner and seems like a much better cultural fit at Penn State than LSU. A change of scenery on the coach’s end and a big name on the school’s end could be a win all around.”

Kelly, currently in his fourth year at LSU, boasts an impressive 34-12 overall record, including a 19-8 mark in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference. 

Since leaving Notre Dame in 2021 to sign a 10-year deal with the Tigers, Kelly has solidified his reputation as a consistent winner. But would he abandon Baton Rouge for Happy Valley? While it seems improbable, the coaching carousel’s rumor mill is already spinning.

As Penn State navigates this pivotal moment, the question looms: can a new coach elevate the Nittany Lions to the national championship heights that eluded Franklin?

Comparing Coaching Records: Brian Kelly vs. James Franklin

• Brian Kelly Career Record: 207-74 (73.7% win percentage) across stints at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and LSU.
  • Postseason Success: 3-5 in bowl games, 0-2 in College Football Playoff appearances, no national championships.
  • Notable Achievements: Two Division II national titles (2002, 2003 at Grand Valley State), multiple conference titles, and consistent bowl appearances.
• James Franklin Career Record: 124-59 (67.8% win percentage) at Vanderbilt and Penn State.
  • Postseason Success: 4-5 in bowl games, no College Football Playoff appearances, no national championships.
  • Notable Achievements: Big Ten Championship (2016), multiple New Year’s Six bowl appearances.

While Kelly’s longer tenure gives him a higher win total, his winning percentage edges out Franklin’s. Neither has captured a national title, but Kelly’s postseason experience in the Playoff era and his adaptability across programs make him a compelling candidate for Penn State’s next chapter.