With the tea leaves pointing toward Bill O’Brien’s departure from Penn State for a job in Houston or elsewhere in the NFL, the school looks like it is going to need a new head coach for the second time in the last three years.
They’re reportedly targeting a current NFL head coach to take his place. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Penn State Athletic Director David Joyner is mulling a trip to Tampa in hopes of enticing Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano to return to the collegiate ranks. Schiano was an assistant in State College under Joe Paterno for six seasons on his way up the coaching ladder.
Schiano was one of two coaches that reportedly reached out to Penn State about their job, former Nittany Lion and current Titans coach Mike Munchak was the other, although Schiano (and Munchak) denied that was the case. A league source tells PFT that Schiano’s denial was accurate, but it seems the interest in Happy Valley may not have needed any outside impetus.
Schiano’s own status in Tampa has been the subject of much speculation this year apart from any potential Penn State interest. That speculation includes Mike Florio’s Sunday report that offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan may be fired by the Bucs if Schiano stays as their head coach.