The Penn State Nittany Lions’ coaching search remains something of a mystery, and it does not appear that they are likely to land any of their dream candidates. Some around college football believe the Nittany Lions may look to the likes of Duke’s Manny Diaz and Syracuse’s Fran Brown, according to Bruce Feldman and Ralph D. Russo of The Athletic. Both coaches have ties to Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft, though neither is having a great season and really justifies getting such a big job. Diaz is in his second season as head coach of the Duke Blue Devils. Duke is 4-3 after going 9-4 last season. Diaz was also the Miami Hurricanes head coach from 2019 to 2021, and he went 21-5 and never won a bowl game. But he was also defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Penn State from 2022 to 2023. Brown is in his second season as head coach of the Syracuse Orange. Brown’s Orange team is 3-5 this season after going 10-3 in 2024. He held several titles at Temple from 2012 to 2016 and in 2019. Kraft was the A
