High-Profile Coach Surges in Penn State's Coaching Search

Penn State's search for a new head football coach has intensified, with Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman emerging as a top candidate. The Kalshi futures market now places Freeman in the top three contenders, with a 14% chance of being hired, up from just 1% before Penn State's recent victory over Nebraska. James Madison coach Bob Chesney leads the market with a 37% probability, while Alabama's Kalen DeBoer and Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz follow at 15%. The coaching search began after Penn State fired James Franklin on October 12.

Freeman, currently leading Notre Dame with a 9-2 record and a strong chance at making the College Football Playoff, signed a lucrative contract extension with Notre Dame through 2030 in December 2024. Despite being linked to Penn State, Freeman has downplayed the rumors, stating the speculation isn't originating from him.

Meanwhile, ESPN's Paul Finebaum dismissed rumors of Kalen DeBoer leaving Alabama, with