Major college football coach drops out of Penn State job search

Nebraska Coach Matt Rhule has agreed to a two-year contract extension with an eight-figure buyout, effectively removing him from consideration for the Penn State head coaching position. The contract includes a $15 million buyout and extends Rhule's tenure through 2032, with an annual salary of $12.5 million. Additionally, Rhule will receive a $1 million bonus for each Nebraska appearance in the College Football Playoff. Rhule, a Penn State alum, had been a strong candidate for the Penn State job following James Franklin's dismissal. His past success at Temple and Baylor, and current performance at Nebraska, where he has led the team to a 6-2 record in 2025, underscored his candidacy. With Rhule out of the running, Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline emerges as a leading candidate for the Penn State vacancy.