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Update on Penn State athletic director search: BWI Daily

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•04/27/22•

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Penn State athletics faces an ongoing dilemma about what the future of Beaver Stadium should be. (Steve Manuel/BWI)

According to multiple reports, the Penn State Athletic director search is coming to a close this week. Senior editor Nate Bauer joins the BWI Daily Edition to fill us in on that information. He wrote two articles about the situation this week and fills host Thomas Frank Carr in on what has happened since he reported on Sunday that the Nittany Lions would be naming a new AD within the week. 

Penn State targeting Patrick Kraft as next AD

For those not up to speed, Bauer retells the story from the last week to start the show. He begins with his initial report about the situation on Saturday, followed by ESPN reporter Pete Thamel’s article on Monday. 

Penn State is targeting Boston College athletic director Patrick Kraft to become the school’s next athletic director, sources told ESPN.

The Deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the week, sources told ESPN.

-Pete Thamel Sources: Penn State targeting Boston College AD Patrick Kraft to replace retiring Sandy Barbour

Finally, Bauer fills in his reporting afterward on Penn State’s target, Pat Kraft. Read both of Bauer’s articles below.

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Backround on Kraft

Next, T-Frank asks Bauer to fill him in on Pat Kraft’s career and what accomplishments make him the targeted candidate for the job. Bauer details the early part of Kraft’s career but focuses mainly on his time as the AD at Temple and Boston College. 

Penn State prospects best NFL system fit ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

So what makes his work stand out at those two stops? Bauer points to some critical improvements at Temple to start, one of which was a defeat of the Nittany Lions in 2015. Before getting to his time at Boston College, T-Frank notices a trend in Kraft working at schools in the northeast. Does that give him an advantage? Bauer can point to one reason why it might. 

Finally, they discuss what Kraft did in his two seasons at Boston College that stands out. While he was not there for a long time, he secured some critical improvements for the athletic department and the football team. So how does that translate to Penn State? 

Next, T-Frank and Bauer discuss what his first business orders need to be at Penn State. Also, does his profile reach the bold and aggressive benchmark that Penn State head coach James Franklin wanted in a new AD? Bauer gives his thoughts on that and more. 

To end the show, T-Frank and Bauer discuss the Beaver Stadium issues in a new light. Is this the time to finally have the conversation about how Penn State should move forward with one of the most iconic stadiums in America? 

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