Emerging college football coach named candidate to watch for Penn State job

Penn State is reportedly considering Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea as a potential candidate for its head football coaching position. Lea has gained attention for his ability to win high-stakes games, having led Vanderbilt to recent victories over ranked teams like LSU and Missouri. Despite a recent close loss to Texas, Lea has significantly improved the Vanderbilt program, achieving its best start since 1941.

Lea, a Vanderbilt alumnus and former Notre Dame defensive coordinator, has been praised for his coaching prowess, especially after Vanderbilt's upset win against Alabama last year. However, his deep ties to Vanderbilt and the university's desire to retain him could pose challenges for Penn State.

Penn State is in search of a new coach following the firing of James Franklin after a 3-3 start to the season. Franklin, who was hired from Vanderbilt in 2014, had a successful tenure with a record of 104-45 and multiple double-digit win seasons. Alongside Lea, Louisville's Jeff Brohm is also mentioned as a candidate