Penn State Coaching Search Update

Penn State:

            This search (as like everything that happens at Penn State) is being kept under wraps.  The only reason anything is known about the search is sources around the candidates that are off the Penn State campus are leaking things.  This search appears to be centered on Dan Mullen.  Mullen has a personality that might bode well for this job; he may just be cocky enough to ignore the issues surrounding the program and still recruit quality to the University.  He also has a tendency to open his mouth and say things that he shouldn’t.  I’m not convinced he is the man for the job and I don’t think he is the answer.  Most people around the program (and every person outside the program) believe that the program needs a fresh start more than anything.  A new coach and entire new coaching staff is the best way to start the healing process on campus and restore respectability off campus.  If Tom Bradley or Jay Paterno (both are said to have interviewed) were to get the job, credibility would severely be in question.  Multiple names have been mentioned in relation to this job, but at this point, it is more interest on their end than anything.  Tom Clements (QB Coach Packers) has apparently submitted his resume and expressed interest in the job.  Clements is a licensed lawyer, which may be a unique quality that could be of good use for the program.  Clements would most certainly always know the right things to say to dance around the plethora of questions he would receive.  He is a McKees Rock, PA graduate who was an all-American quarterback at Notre Dame.  He has been mentioned for several head coaching jobs around the NFL and who could argue the job he has done developing Aaron Rodgers into the best player in the NFL.  Darren Perry is another Packer assistant that has expressed interest.  He is a former standout for Penn State from (1988-1991) and could bring a lot of energy to the program.  Greg Manusky (DC Chargers) has also expressed interest as he is also a Pennsylvania native.  Tim Murphy (HC Harvard) has been talked about with this job from the very beginning.  It is hard to argue with how well he has done at Harvard.  This guy hasn’t lost more than three games since 2000. He definitely fits the “ethical” criteria standards that the search committee will be looking for.  Murphy, Clements, Mullen, and Bradley appear to have the most traction in this search, but there is no real evidence that Penn State is close to a decision.