John B’s Sports Blog

By John Brown Dec-4-2025

As of Now 8 of penn states known targets have all gained significant extensions, Cignetti‘s 8 year, $93 million, Vandy’s coach Clark Lea 6 years, unknown salary, and Mike Elko extending 6 years, $66 million with Texas A&M, are all notable coaches that were reported to show interest in Penn state early on in the search that ended up getting extended.

I would keep an eye out for Dukes head coach Manny Diaz, 27 years of coaching, 15 of which as a defensive coordinator. Diaz has also coached 24 bowl teams and led Duke to a 9-4 record in his first year as Head Coach.

Diaz spent 2 years at Penn State as DC under coach Franklin with a 21-4 record, and back-to back bowl appearances while coaching in Happy Valley. Prior Diaz spent 6 years at Miami 3 as defensive coordinator and 3 coaching with 3 consecutive bowl appearances. The Hurricanes defense under Diaz’s coordinating ranked 4th in total defense in 2018.

With no coach at Penn State there has been very little recruiting hope for the 2026 season with no commits at this time, alternatively they will be using the transfer portal and have picked up former Texas A&M offensive linemen, and King Mack, a Safety that transferred to Alabama and transferred back to Penn State this past off-season.

It is being reported another possible Penn State coaching candidate could be with Alabama’s Kalen Deboer. At the time of this writing Kalen Deboer has put to rest any speculation stating “There’s never been any link, there’s never been any interest either way” per Windham with Bamacentral.

Both Diaz and Deboer will be working Saturday to further each teams post season hopes, giving thought to possible strategic lack of urgency by Penn State.