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Pair of Penn State assistants called promotion candidates for 2024 ahead of 2023 season

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•08/31/23•

GregPickel

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Penn State assistant coach Ja'Juan Seider (Credit: Daniel Althouse/BWI)

Penn State coach James Franklin lost two of his 10 on-field assistant coaches to other jobs following the 2022 season. If a pair of media-created lists of coordinators and position leaders are correct, at least a couple of new hires may need to be made following the 2023 season.

On3 senior national college football reporter Matt Zenitz listed 20 college football assistants who administrators around the country believe are in line to be a head coach sooner rather than later despite not yet leading a program. One of them is current Penn State assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider. The 46-year-old Bella Grade, Fla., native enters his sixth season on Franklin’s staff in 2023. He has long been viewed as one of the nation’s premier recruiters and developers of talent.

“Former QB that coaches the RBs with a holistic view of the offense,” a source familiar with Seider told On3. “Dynamic recruiter that can relate to anyone. Heavy ties to Florida but can operate well in any recruiting area. Will be an offensive coordinator or head coach. Just a matter of time. … Not anything he can’t do as a coach. Extremely relatable to coaches staff and recruits alike.”

Seider has been pursued by others during past offseasons. But, he has now spent his longest tenure in State College. It’s also worth pointing out that Zenitz listed Penn State co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter on a list of future head coach candidates who “are on the radar for administrators as potential FBS head coaching candidates and/or have already interviewed for head coaching jobs in the past.” Poindexter, a Virginia alum, interviewed for the Cavaliers’ head coaching job this past offseason.

Penn State connections make list of CFB assistants to watch

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman released a list of 30 college football assistants to keep an eye on as rising stars in 2023. A few Penn State connections were includes. Lions letterman D’Anton Lynn, is one of them. He is now the defensive coordinator under Chip Kelly at UCLA. Seider also made this list.

“Inside the coaching world, Seider has been known as one of the country’s best position coaches and recruiters,” Feldman writes. “The 46-year-old South Florida native has been in the mix for a few Group of 5 head coaching jobs and probably will get a long look from WVU if that job comes open. Seider spent a half-dozen seasons in Morgantown as an assistant in two stints. In between, Seider was Marshall’s running backs coach. He would be a strong candidate there if Charles Huff leaves for a bigger job.”

Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz also made the cut. He is likely to one day lead his own program again. But, for now, he enters year two in State College.

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