It sounds like Penn State will have some big shoes to fill with the departure of Manny Diaz. His impact on the team’s defense has been significant, as evidenced by their stellar performance in recent seasons. Coach James Franklin will likely be looking for someone who can maintain or even build upon that success.
Internal candidates like Anthony Poindexter, with his experience as a defensive coordinator at UConn and co-defensive coordinator at Purdue and Penn State, could be strong contenders. Additionally, having someone like Robb Smith, who has experience as a defensive coordinator in both the ACC and Big Ten, already on staff could provide continuity.
However, Franklin will likely also consider external candidates to ensure he’s exploring all options. The coaching landscape is always changing, so there may be promising candidates available from other programs or the NFL.
Ultimately, Franklin will need to find someone who not only has the defensive acumen but also fits well within the coaching staff and can continue to develop the talent on the defensive side of the ball. It’ll be interesting to see who he selects to fill this important role for the Lions.
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