Some nitpicking as the Nittany Lions draw the curtain on a lost season:

Penn State’s coaching search should be coming to a close.

With the regular season ending today at Rutgers, and the early recruiting signing period beginning Wednesday (through Friday), it’s quite possible James Franklin’s successor could be announced Sunday.

No more predictions from me on the choice. Seemingly every time I put my toe in the water on coaches to consider (Matt Rhule) or ones that made a ton of sense (Mike Elko), they quickly signed contracts at their current schools.

So I’ll stick with my recommendation of Terry Smith for the sake of having the best chance to preserve continuity in the program, both in terms of the roster and assistant coaches who desire, or are desired, to remain.

Of course, he can’t lose to Rutgers.

Pat Kraft, though, probably has own ideas.

The names who seem to have the most traction:

Bob Chesney of James Madison, who has followed Curt Cignetti and done a respectable job at James Madison. He’s also been linked to the UCLA job and if he gets it – since he’s a Pennsylvania native – it means Penn State is going somewhere else.

Keep an eye on Kalen DeBoer at Alabama. His name has been floated consistently, with logic that he’s dealing with some post-Saban fatigue, fueled by four losses last year and two entering tonight’s game at rival Auburn.

If Alabama wins, it would probably land in the College Football Playoff, which would delay or negate a potential move due to timing. If the Tide lose, though, maybe it greases the skids to a mutual departure.

DeBoer led Washington to the 2023 national championship game and lost to Michigan.

Lane Kiffin hasn’t been mentioned at PSU, but almost everywhere else – LSU, Florida, even Alabama should (above) circumstances unfold. Or he could stay at Ole Miss, although if that was his intention, he could have said so well before now.

Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea both got Thanksgiving Day contract extensions so they’re out.

In the last few days, message boards, which are often accompanied by some truth, have repeatedly mentioned a “mystery candidate” at Penn State. So keep an eye on that, too. Some have speculated that person could be TCU’s Sonny Dykes, who led TCU to the 2022 national championship game.

There was a time, ironically enough, when today’s opposing coach, Greg Schiano, a former Joe Paterno assistant, would have loved the Penn State job.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking.

Bright spot

Maybe the most consistent defensive player for Penn State this season has been linebacker Amare Campbell.

The North Carolina transfer leads the team in tackles with 82, including nine tackles for loss, which are second only to Dani Dennis-Sutton’s 9.5.

Campbell has also been charged with communicating the defense, which has improved in recent weeks.

“I feel I grasped the concept of the defense well and getting everybody in the right spots,” he said, acknowledging DC Jim Knowles is known for a “complicated” defense. “A lot of guys have bought more into the defense and put in more time during the week. I think that’s starting to show a lot these last couple weeks.”

The Lions allowed 30.6 points per game during their six-game losing streak, but just 20 in the last two weeks – albeit against lesser competition (Michigan State, Nebraska).

Campbell made an interesting observation about his overall transition this year, saying “I definitely think it’s a big switch coming from the ACC to the Big Ten.”

The transfer portal opens Jan. 2, and Campbell said he will assess his future when Penn State hires a new coach and “lean on his family.”

“I’ve been part of a coaching change so I’m pretty used to this type of stuff,” he said. “There’s a lot of business being handled we can’t control. I’m just excited to see the near future.”

Highly-regarded freshman defensive end Chaz Coleman, who has missed the last three games with an injury, could return today.

Bowling?

Should Penn State be 6-6 and invited to a bowl game, we’ll see how many players remain on board.

That, of course, could depend on who is selected as coach.

Smith has encouraged the players “to keep an open mind,” but he also admitted there may be those who pass on the idea.

James Franklin has already taken a few staff members with him to Virginia Tech, and if Smith isn’t promoted to head coach, even though he loves Penn State, he’ll likely have an opportunity to join Franklin.

Which would be another blow to the current squad.

If a new coach not named Smith is confirmed in the next couple days, there will be a ton of uncertainty and transition on the coaching staff – and who would be around or in position to coach a bowl game.

Unless Pat Kraft plans to do that, too.

Tough year for Givens

Altoona product and former Penn State defensive tackle Kevin Givens has experienced a tough year with the San Francisco 49ers.

Givens, already in his seventh season, has been limited to just four games due this year to injuries. Givens began the season on the injured-reserve list due to a pectoral injury, returned in late October but has been inactive the last two weeks.

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said this week he hopes Givens can go for Sunday’s game at Cleveland.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.

Penn State (5-6) at Rutgers (5-6)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.

TV: Big Ten Network

Odds: Penn State is a 12.5-point favorite.