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5 potential replacements for James Franklin at Penn State

By John Buhler

Nov 7, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles yells to his team in the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles yells to his team in the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Art Briles – Former Baylor Bears head coach

This may make Penn State fans cringe, but shouldn’t the Nittany Lions consider the best available offensive mind on the market in former Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles. Briles was ousted from his post in Waco due to a campus-wide sexual assault scandal.

The associated stigma with the scandal might make Penn State run for the hills after going through horrible Jerry Sandusky scandal less than a decade ago. That being said, Briles’ track record as an offensive mind will get him another head coaching gig in the Power 5 whether people are ready to admit it or not.

Yes, it’ll be immensely difficult to get Briles to leave his native Texas, much less the Southeastern United States to be a head coach somewhere in 2017. However, Penn State is a blue-blood program that can recruit with the best schools in the nation. That could entice Briles to Penn State should he be offered.

This is not a wise move for Penn State to make because of the optics. Briles and his former school Baylor are reviled in the early part of 2016 for their sexual assault scandal. However, if Penn State wants offense more than anything else, the Nittany Lions could consider interviewing Briles for the job.

Next: 3. Lincoln Riley

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