Penn State is searching for a head football coach for the first time in 12 years after the firing of James Franklin on Sunday , amid a 3-3 start.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule tops the list of prospective candidates.

Rhule spent his high school years in State College and was a walk-on linebacker at Penn State from 1994-97. Rhule’s ties to the Nittany Lions are strong, notably his longstanding relationship with Athletic Director Pat Kraft, who helped hire Rhule at Temple.

Nebraska is out to a 5-1 start (2-1 Big Ten) after a 34-31 win over Maryland on Saturday.

Yet the first question aimed at Rhule at his weekly press conference was about the Penn State firing of Franklin, his ties to the school and Kraft.

Rhule didn’t shy away from his affection for Happy Valley.

“I love Penn Stat

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