Hold onto your hats, college football fans, because the coaching carousel just took a wild turn! Contrary to the whispers and speculation, Kalen DeBoer was never truly in the running for the Penn State job, despite the rumors that swirled like a tornado after James Franklin’s departure. ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed what DeBoer himself had already hinted at: there was absolutely ‘no traction’ between the Alabama coach and the Nittany Lions. But here’s where it gets interesting—Penn State’s 53-day search was anything but straightforward. From Kalani Sitake’s brief moment in the spotlight (before he decided to stay at BYU) to the eventual pivot to Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, the process was a rollercoaster of possibilities. And this is the part most people miss: while Pat Kraft, Penn State’s AD, was indeed swinging for the fences by targeting big names, DeBoer’s Midwest roots and the logistical nightmare of a mid-season move made him a long shot from the start. Controversial take alert: Could Penn State have been using DeBoer’s name to create buzz while quietly zeroing in on Campbell all along? Thamel suggests the Nittany Lions shifted ‘relatively quickly’ to Campbell after Sitake’s change of heart, but was this their plan B or the real target from the beginning? Now, as Campbell’s deal nears completion, the question remains: Did Penn State play the long game, or did they simply get lucky? Let us know what you think in the comments—was Campbell always the man for the job, or did the Nittany Lions dodge a bullet with DeBoer and Sitake? The drama may be over, but the debate is just heating up!
