James Franklin details desired qualities for Penn State's new defensive coordinator

While Penn State is tasked with preparing for the Peach Bowl versus Ole Miss, Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin is also having to spearhead an effort to find a new defensive coordinator for next season.

The vacant DC spot comes after its former occupant, Manny Diaz, took the job to become Duke‘s next head coach. Franklin has since slid staffers Anthony Poindexter and Robb Smith into the co-defensive coordinator position until the end of bowl season.

While Franklin continues his search, the Penn State headman revealed the qualities he is looking for in candidates — and how he plans to go about the interview process over the coming weeks.

“Someone who’s got extensive defensive coordinator experience. Someone that runs a similar scheme and philosophy, because our current players have had a lot of success in a similar system,” Franklin said during Penn State’s bowl media availability. “I’ve had three defensive coordinators that have all been able to play at a high level. And, we’ve taken a similar approach with all three. And, we’ve recruited to a similar scheme, as well.

“You do in-person interviews, Zoom interviews, what film, study the data and analytics, and then most importantly, you’re looking for a fit with your players and staff. If somebody had head coaching experience, there’s value in that. Manny’s time as a head coach was valuable… That’s not the end all, be all. But it’s helpful if we can find it.”

Initial names that have been thrown into the mix, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, included a couple of coaches such as UCLA DC D’Anton Lynn — who has since taken the USC defensive coordinator job — NC State DC Tony Gibson and Illinois senior analyst Jim Leonhard.

More interesting names were also put out there as well — including former Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett and former Indiana headman Tom Allen. Arnett and Allen are actively searching for a job after they were recently fired from their respective programs last month.

While he hasn’t honed in one one person in particular, for now at least, Franklin’s main focus will be on preparing his guys for Ole Miss on Dec. 30. The 2023 Peach Bowl will kick off a double-header on ESPN on that day — which will be immediately followed by Georgia and Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

The Nittany Lions are 3.5-point betting favorites over their SEC opponent, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 48.5 total points.