As the college football season comes to a close there is a large feeling of unrest in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.

The Nittany Lions of Penn State are just coming off of their second season after the tragic events of the infamous Sandusky scandal. Things were looking up as the team was still finishing with winning records despite major punishments from the NCAA, head coach Bill O’ Brien was looking good in his position as JoePa heir to the Nittany Lion legacy, and young players such as freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg really showing potential.

Then rumors that coach O’ Brien might leave for the NFL became true when the Houston Texans offered O’ Brien a head coaching position. This came after firing of previous Texans coach Gary Kubiak after a disappointing 2-12 season.

O’ Brien’s job at Penn State was his first head coaching job at any level. He was previously the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Many critics believed that his work at Penn State was more of an audition for a position in the NFL.

However significant the Penn State job was to O’ Brien is to be debated elsewhere. The important thing now is finding the replacement to O’ Brien. A few names have surfaced as far as candidates to the job. These names include, Al Golden, Mike Munchak, and James Franklin.

Golden, who is the current coach of the Miami Hurricanes was strongly considered for the job and was a clear favorite until reports surfaced that he was not interested. He later came to say that he was staying at Miami.

Munchak, who is a Penn State alumnus, was the head coach of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans for three years compiling a 22-26 record. He was recently let go from Tennessee when it was rumored that the ownership wanted to dismiss many on his staff.

“I can’t fire someone when I don’t believe they should be fired…too many people were going to be affected…for me to maintain a job,” said Munchak.

Franklin, the current coach of Vanderbilt is the favorite to get the job. In fact, sources are saying that he could have this new job by as early as Saturday January, 11^th.

Franklin has led Vandy to two straight winning seasons and has a reputation of being a great recruiter, which is something Penn State needs if it is going to compete with the likes of Urban Meyer over in Ohio State.

For as much pandemonium as there is in Happy Valley, people shouldn’t worry. The Penn State board of trustees has a line of great candidates to help carry on the great Penn State tradition.

In my opinion, all of these candidates would do well with Penn State—but to me James Franklin is the clear favorite. He has had a lot of success in the college level and I believe he could really help in competing for recruits to help build great teams.