Terry Smith Weighs Future as Penn State’s Coaching Search Drags On

Penn State fans thought they finally found stability when Terry Smith stepped in as interim head coach. After James Franklin’s exit, Smith guided the Nittany Lions to three straight wins and calmed a locker room that had just pushed through a rough six-game losing streak. But weeks later, Penn State still hasn’t made a final decision — and Smith’s patience is wearing thin.

At the same time, other programs aren’t waiting around. National analyst Landon Tengwall shared on December 4 that Smith has already drawn interest from multiple head-coaching openings. NFL insider Jordan Schultz followed up, reporting that Smith has received “significant interest” from both UConn and Memphis. And those two jobs come with real opportunities.

UConn, for one, is rebuilding after Jim Mora left for Colorado State. Mora delivered back-to-back nine-win seasons and took the Huskies to three bowls in four years, a massive turnaround for the program. Since his departure, UConn has seen eight players hit the transfer portal — including QB Carter Emanuel, RB Jayden Fox, and WR Quayd Hendryx — making their coaching hire even more urgent.

Memphis is also in the mix after Arkansas grabbed their former head coach Ryan Silverfield. Silverfield was one of the winningest coaches in the country over the last three seasons, going 50–24. With the Tigers looking to keep that momentum, Smith’s name naturally surfaced.

Terry Smith’s résumé explains why. Since arriving at Penn State in 2014, he has built a strong reputation both as a coach and a recruiter. As the Big Ten’s No. 4 recruiter in 2023, he helped deliver 12 straight top-25 classes, including powerhouse groups in 2018 and 2022. He’s also developed seven NFL-bound cornerbacks in under a decade — tied for the best mark in America.

Inside the program, support for Terry Smith is loud and public. Micah Parsons didn’t mince words, saying, “They’d better put Terry there.” After Penn State’s 37–10 win over Nebraska, one player even stood behind Smith at the podium holding a homemade “HIRE TERRY SMITH” sign. Even future recruits are pulling for him. Peyton Falzone, a 2026 QB commit, said he’s “very hopeful” Smith gets the job.

But Penn State appears focused elsewhere. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the school is making a hard push toward Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Hafley, who left Boston College after going 22–26, has experience in both the NFL and college ranks, making him a serious contender.

One sticking point working against Smith is internal politics tied to the legacy of Joe Paterno. Tangwall reported that some within the Board of Trustees worry that promoting Smith — who recently wore a “409” pin honoring Paterno’s win total — could be interpreted as revisiting a painful chapter connected to the Sandusky scandal.

Still, betting odds show Terry Smith as the favorite. According to numbers shared by College Football Report, he leads the race at 43%, with recently fired New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll close behind at 33%.

For now, everything hangs on how long Terry Smith is willing to wait — and whether Penn State risks losing him before making their move.

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