One coach’s firing creates a stunning opening, while another’s creates a potential candidate. After Penn State shockingly parted ways with head coach James Franklin following a 3-3 start to the 2025 season, the New York Giants also fired Brian Daboll.
Now, speculation is running wild, especially after Daboll was spotted wearing a Penn State sweatshirt. Analyst Pat McAfee believes this could be a perfect match for the struggling program.
Why Does Pat McAfee See Brian Daboll as the Answer for Penn State?
The rumor mill kicked into high gear after Daboll was seen leaving his home in a Penn State sweatshirt just a day after being fired by the Giants. While no official interest has been reported from either side, the sighting immediately linked him to the Nittany Lions’ head coaching vacancy. On his show, Pat McAfee endorsed the idea, arguing Daboll could be the right fit for the job.
Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” McAfee explained that Daboll’s personality would be a welcome change in Happy Valley. He noted that Daboll’s boldness and visible energy contrast sharply with Franklin’s more reserved style, which could be exactly what Penn State needs to get back on track.
“I still think Brian Daboll is a good football coach..
I would love to see him at Penn State” @aqshipley #PMSLive https://t.co/OBAdjxVhT3 pic.twitter.com/6heXooT5Yn
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 12, 2025
“I got a chance to chat with him at the combine, I think he would represent Penn State pretty good,” McAfee said. “Like, I think he would be a good representation of what they could potentially be as a team, you know, he’s very different than James Franklin, very different from James Franklin. He’s a bit more of a visible optical dog than James Franklin.”
McAfee’s take highlights a key difference between the two coaches. Daboll is a more outspoken leader, and that approach could inject some much-needed energy and excitement into both the Nittany Lions’ locker room and their fan base.
Although Daboll’s tenure as the Giants’ head coach ended poorly, he has long been recognized as an elite offensive mind. His resume includes a successful run as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2017, where he helped the Crimson Tide win a national championship.
Additionally, Daboll played a significant role in developing quarterback Josh Allen during his time as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. Even with limited overall success in New York, he led the Giants to a playoff appearance in 2022 and earned NFL Coach of the Year honors.
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The need for a change at Penn State became undeniable as the season progressed. The Nittany Lions entered the 2025 campaign ranked No. 2 in the country under Franklin. Now, 11 weeks later, the head coach is gone, and the team has a 0% chance of making the College Football Playoff, according to PFSN’s CFB Playoff meter.
While Daboll would likely face an adjustment period adapting to the college recruiting and NIL landscape, he would almost certainly produce better results next season than Franklin did this year. As McAfee noted, Daboll would bring an entirely new vibe to the Nittany Lions, and it would be a hire that Penn State fans could be genuinely excited about.
