STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) Penn State Athletic Director Dave Joyner says efforts to replace Bill O'Brien are on `schedule' and he anticipates having a new football coach in just days.
In a statement released by his office on Tuesday, Joyner said the search to replace O'Brien, who left last week to coach the NFL's Houston Texans, is "robust as we anticipated and we have an excellent pool of candidates."
He was not specific about possible candidates but added he has "heard from many coaches, or their representatives, who have expressed their interest in the position."
Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak are reportedly under consideration for the job. Larry Johnson, who has been on staff for 18 years, was named interim coach. He's expressed interest in the job permanently.
O'Brien led the Nittany Lions to two winning seasons, restoring some tempered enthusiasm in Happy Valley.
