College Football Coaching Rumors: James Franklin To Penn State, Alabama To Interview Lane Kiffin For OC

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin is reportedly set to become the next coach for Penn State football. Former USC coach Lane Kiffin, meanwhile, is expected to interview for Alabama's offensive coordinator job.

Franklin is expected to take the Penn State coaching job on Thursday, according to both Brett McMurphy of ESPN and Bruce Feldman of CBS. Franklin's stock rose in his three seasons with Vanderbilt, where he accumulated 24 wins while guiding the team to three straight bowl games.

"Penn State had targeted Franklin because of his record of on-field success at a respected academic institution, another source said (to) ESPN's Joe Schad," ESPN wrote on Thursday.

Franklin, a 41-year-old native of Pennsylvania, replaces Bill O'Brien, who left the Nittany Lions last week to become the Houston Texans coach.

With Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier headed to Michigan to call the offense's plays, the Crimson Tide are expected to interview Kiffin as a possible replacement.

"Former USC coach Lane Kiffin is interviewing Thursday to be the offensive coordinator at Alabama, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad," according an article from ESPN.

Kiffin, who was fired from USC in September, spoke with Alabama coach Nick Saban before the Sugar Bowl to exchange ideas for "professional development."

"Lane is a really good offensive coach, and I've always had a tremendous amount of respect for him," Saban said, via ESPN. "Just to come in and brainstorm a little bit to get some professional ideas with our guys is a really positive thing."

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