When it comes to Penn State shocking the college football world by axing longtime head coach James Franklin on Oct. 12 after a stunning loss to Northwestern, the truth is both.

The dismissal came as the Nittany Lions entered the season as one of the sport’s title favorites, but a bewildering 3-5 record has them long out of the playoff conversation.

Franklin, who took control of the team in 2013, had done well to revitalize a program that was once destroyed by scandal. However, an inability to produce victories in the school’s biggest games raised major questions about the Nittany Lions’ ceiling under his command.

With one of the most appealing positions in college football now open, there is sure to be no shortage of potential suitors. There have been dozens of names thrown into the proverbial ring as replacements.

AP file photo Duke head coach Manny Diaz (left) and Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin could be contenders in the search to find the next head coach at Penn State. They are pictured shaking hands after the 2025 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. Mississippi defeated Duke, 52-20.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti won’t likely be one of them now that he’s locked into a long-term deal to coach the Hoosiers. Nike would probably mortgage one of their sneaker factories before they let head coach Dan Lanning leave Oregon and head to Happy Valley. The same would be true with the Golden Dome and letting Marcus Freeman walk away.

Many Nittany Lion fans thought Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule was a shoe-in, given his past with Penn State Athletic Director Patrick Kraft. However, Rhule has the same knock as Franklin as he sports a less-than-impressive record against college football’s elite. Now, he’s inked an extension to remain with the Cornhuskers.

Here are the names for possible replacements that area Nittany Lions die-hards would like to see receive consideration:

Jeff Brohm, Louisville

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State

AP file photo Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, shown here making a point to a game official, was thought to be the Nittany Lions’ man until he signed an extension.

Kevin Lyter, of Thompsontown: “My two choices would be: First, Jeff Brohm from Louisville who has had a lot of success there and has a good record against top 5 and top 10 teams. He may not cost all that much either at least compared to the top head coaching salaries.

“My second choice is current Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, who is very young, smart, and his Sun Devil team just beat a top 10 team in Texas Tech. Winning those types of games has been Penn State’s downfall and a big reason why they are in this downward spiral, which they can’t continue to be in for long. Not in today’s college football world with NIL and transfer portal.”

Hugh Freeze

Manny Diaz

Shane Breon, Mifflin County High School head football coach: “I personally like Hugh Freeze for his offensive mind and he has won big games over (Nick) Saban in the SEC with less talent.” Freeze is the current head coach at Auburn.

“And I’ll also throw in Manny Diaz, if he could bring the right OC with him. I truly believe Franklin would not get off the (Drew) Allar train, and it cost him his job.” Diaz stepped down as the defensive coordinator of the Nittany Lions to become the head coach at Duke.

Joe Brady

Marcus Freeman

Brian Rothrock, of Lewistown: “I know I don’t want Matt Ruhle. I’m intrigued by Joe Brady. There’s so many names being tossed around and so much speculation who the next head coach will be it’s hard to say.” Currently, Brady serves as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator.

“Yeah, I doubt we get him (Lanning) or Freeman. His OC Will Stein’s name has been thrown in the mix. I just hope it’s a home-run hire.”

Whoever gets the job, the price tag will be an expensive one, especially if Penn State has to buy out Franklin or his staff, and pay for a new coach and another staff.

Kenny Dillingham

Matt Campbell

Marc Attivo, of Lewistown: “My first choice would have been Curt Cignetti, but that ship has sailed with his contract extension at Indiana. My next choice would be Kenny Dillingham. He’s only 35 years old and he has done a very good job at Arizona State. He’s charismatic with a high football IQ. I think his youth would help with recruiting.

“My next choice would be Matt Campbell from Iowa State. In coaching terms, he’s still relatively young at 45 years old. He has done a fantastic job with the Cyclones, and I’d be happy with that hire as well.”

Lane Kiffin

Marcus Freeman

Tim Clark, of Lewistown: “Florida, Penn State, Oregon State, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Colorado State, and UAB. Those are the schools that are looking for a head football coach, and it was just Halloween. There are more coming. Any hour Mike Norvell will be out at Florida State. Hugh Freeze just got fired at Auburn.

“Despite a vote of confidence from his AD, Luke Fickell’s seat seems very hot at Wisconsin. Others, like Brian Kelly, wiggled their way onto the hot seat (and Kelly has since been fired). Remember those old Crazy Eddie commercials? It’s insane.

“This isn’t a coaching carousel, it is a rollercoaster going off the tracks. Athletics departments are paying lots of money to compete in college football. Patience is out the window. It is win now or else.

“I would hire Lane Kiffin. He brings swagger and a great offensive mind. Plus, he has fun and would keep it interesting. I keep seeing the ND coach mentioned. Can’t imagine him leaving ND for PSU.”

Lane Kiffin

Sean McVay

Ray Hoppel, Mifflin County High School baseball coach: “I think it should be an offensive-minded coach. The game has transformed into that. I’d love to see them go after Lane Kiffin. Even though he has had success in the SEC, you wonder if he feels his path to the playoff would be easier in the Big Ten.” Kiffin has certainly vaulted Mississippi into the national spotlight.

“A dark horse candidate for me would be Sean McVay. Even though he’s really entrenched in the NFL, I feel like with Matthew Stafford just about to retire, he may be someone who could be swayed.”

The 39-year-old McVay, a native of Dayton, Ohio, has made the Rams a perennial contender for the Super Bowl. The hills and mountains of Happy Valley could be a suitable trade for the bright lights of Hollywood. He’s coached the Rams since 2017 and served in offensive assistant capacities in the NFL prior to that.

So who will the Nittany Lions’ new coach be? We’ll have to wait and see.