Penn State’s fall from grace finally caught up with them in a shocking way as James Franklin’s firing sent shockwaves through Happy Valley. The preseason No. 2 quickly fell off as three back-to-back losses demolished the Nittany Lions. The blow came with a narrow 22-21 home loss to Northwestern. And that became Franklin’s final game, epitomizing the collapse. Now, with Franklin gone, Penn State’s empty head coaching throne is suddenly one of the hottest gigs in college football. And there is one infamous personality in the College Football world who is trying his luck for the place, with super negotiations.

Connor Stalions is sincerely trying his best to sit at the coaching helm at Penn State. “Maybe we can work out a deal @PennStateFball,” Stalions posted on X. “If you want to hire me now to get my 1-year suspension out of the way, I’ll do the following year for free.” 

Yeah, it’s the same Connor Stalions of Michigan’s notorious sign-stealing scandal. Back in 2023, Stalions was at the center of this controversy. Authorities accused him of illegally scouting opponents by personally deciphering their signals. The NCAA slapped him with an eight-year show-cause penalty, meaning Penn State would have to serve a one-year suspension for him if they hired him now.

But Stalions doesn’t seem to give up as he doubled down on that post, saying, “Offer still stands. It’s hard to forget how the sign-stealing scandal also dragged in Michigan HC, Sherrone Moore, as he faced a three-game suspension this season. It happened because Moore was accused of deleting text messages from Stalions during the NCAA’s investigation of the scandal. Moore said his decision was “an emotional reaction to the allegations.” Now imagine a person like Connor Stalions calling the plays for the Nittany Lions? Sounds bad, right?

Stalions know Penn State fans are fed up with Franklin’s inability to win big games. Franklin’s dismissal included an inability to win marquee games (despite a 104-45 overall record). Plus, a disastrous start to Big Ten play at 0-3 becomes the final nail in the coffin. His 4-21 record against top 10 opponents haunted him, with losses to powerhouses like Ohio State, Oregon, and Notre Dame robbing fans of the ultimate glory. Thus, Stalions is clearly playing on Penn State’s desperation at this point. But Penn State isn’t short on serious coaching candidates ready to take the reins.

Curt Cignetti leads the pack with his proven track record of turning Indiana into a contender. He is now cruising with an impressive 6-0 record. Matt Rhule, a PSU alum, is known for building programs, but he may not be the instant fix needed. Dabo Swinney brings a championship pedigree and locker room charisma to the table. Ed Orgeron brings toughness and swagger, while Jon Gruden’s football acumen is undeniable despite controversy.

It’s not all over for James Franklin

James Franklin’s time at Happy Valley comes to a tragic end as he walks out with a heavy $49 million buyout. The Nittany Lions are playing a costly game of change as associate head coach Terry Smith now tries to steady a ship in rough waters. But while the Nittany Lions move on, Franklin’s story is far from over. No matter what, Franklin remains one of the hottest coaching commodities now that he is officially on the market.

Several programs in desperate situations see him as an instant fix. Among them, UCLA stands out as a prime candidate. The Bruins are looking for a permanent HC after DeShaun Foster’s firing. So Franklin’s recruiting prowess and experience in Power 5 football can really help to steady their ship. Virginia Tech is another program eyeing mid-season turnover. The program is hoping Franklin’s leadership can resurrect the once-proud Hokies.

Arkansas also lurks as a potential landing spot. The Razorbacks are seeking to rebuild with a coach known for his grit and attention to detail. Franklin’s ability to build a strong recruiting base, plus his previous success at Vanderbilt and Penn State, make him an asset. Despite the cost of his buyout, these programs are willing to compete for a coach who still commands respect in recruiting circles and has shown flashes of brilliance.