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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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Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin during the annual A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin during the annual A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Lane Kiffin – Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator

Will the fourth time be the charm for former head coach and current Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin? Kiffin has been a head coach three times (Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Volunteers, USC Trojans), but didn’t have the maturity to handle his first three opportunities.

In the last three seasons, Kiffin has re-emerged as a brilliant offensive coordinator for Alabama under head coach Nick Saban. Kiffin has been a magnificent play caller and in-game tactician. His ability to draw up the big play on offense is unrivaled in the college game today.

Saban is not going to let Kiffin leave Tuscaloosa for an SEC by any means. Kiffin is reviled in Los Angeles by the Trojan faithful. It might be in his best interest to go to a part of the country that he doesn’t have a bad reputation to overcome.

It would be a slam-dunk hire for the Nittany Lions if they want to replace Franklin with Kiffin at season’s end. Kiffin’s presence at Penn State would amplify the school’s head coaching prowess to the level of Meyer at Ohio State, Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and Mark Dantonio at Michigan State.

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If Penn State feels the need to make a change, Kiffin would be hard to pass up. He’s going to be a head coach in the Power 5 in 2017. It’ll be a gamble for Penn State to move on from Franklin this soon, but Kiffin is more ready than he has ever been to be a head football coach.

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