Locked On Nittany Lions - Daily Podcast On Penn State Nittany Lions Football & Wrestling

Penn State missed on its top target — BYU’s Kalani Sitake — and now the pressure is on Athletic Director Pat Kraft. Host Zach Seyko and Andrew Kalista (BlueWhite Tailgate Pawcast) break down what went wrong, why Sitake was always a risky fit, and how Penn State’s coaching search became a national spectacle. They also debate: Can Pat Kraft survive this fallout? Should Terry Smith, Jeff Brohm, or Bo...

Penn State Nittany Lions face mounting pressure as their football coaching search stalls—can Athletic Director Pat Kraft salvage the process after missing out on BYU’s Kalani Sitake and other coveted candidates? The team remains the only major program without a head coach, fueling fan frustration and swirling questions about the future. Is Penn State on the cusp of a revival or sliding into a recr...

Penn State’s coaching search has spiraled into chaos. Hosts Zach Seyko and Brian Smith break down the stunning saga surrounding Kalani Sitake, BYU’s boosters, and Crumbl Cookies fighting to keep him in Provo. They discuss Penn State’s $10 million offer, BYU’s faith-based counterattack, and how Pat Kraft’s leadership is being tested. Plus: Jeff Brohm, Brian Hartline, and Terry Smith updates, a recr...

Penn State’s coaching search has gone off the rails. Hosts Zach Seyko (Locked On Nittany Lions) and Brian Smith (Locked On the Portal) break down the latest on Kalani Sitake’s rumored candidacy, Bob Chesney’s move to UCLA, and why Penn State refuses to take risks on proven coordinators like Brian Hartline or Will Stein. Plus: How Penn State’s recruiting class has cratered to No. 125, what the tran...

Penn State’s coaching search has stalled — and the new names aren’t inspiring confidence. Host Zach Seyko reacts to reports that Josh Heupel (Tennessee) and Kalani Sitake (BYU) are now among Penn State’s top options. Are these really upgrades over James Franklin? Zach breaks down why neither candidate makes sense and argues that Brian Hartline, Brian Daboll, and Bob Chesney would better fit Penn S...

Penn State Nittany Lions chase big-name head coaches with Kalen DeBoer and Lincoln Riley atop their wish list. Can Penn State land its “big fish” or will Bob Chesney or a surprise candidate step in to lead the program’s future? The coaching search sparks debate over fit, recruiting prowess, and NIL resources, as fan opinions swirl regarding Terry Smith’s interim job and Jim Knowles’ embattled defe...

Penn State Nittany Lions secure bowl eligibility in a gritty 40-36 win over Rutgers, but the spotlight shifts to the high-stakes coaching search. Is Kaylin DeBoer set to take the helm, or will Lincoln Riley or Bob Chesney emerge as Penn State’s game-changing leader? The pressure is on Pat Kraft to land a headline hire, with the future of the program hanging in the balance. Zach Seyko examines Kayt...

Penn State fans are buzzing—is Kaylin DeBoer set to become the Nittany Lions’ next head coach? Zach Seyko breaks down the latest coaching rumors, spotlighting hot names like Kaylin DeBoer, Lincoln Riley, and Kalani Sitake, and explores how Pat Kraft’s bold mid-season move away from James Franklin could reshape the program. As speculation swirls about Lane Kiffin’s future and the “mystery candidate...

Penn State is peaking at the right time — and Rutgers stands in their way. Host Zach Seyko breaks down the final regular-season matchup for the Nittany Lions, including: How Terry Smith has transformed this team’s energy and focus Why Penn State’s offense finally looks explosive again Key injuries, lineup changes, and practice updates The Rutgers scouting report — strengths, weaknesses, and mismat...

Big Ten playoff chaos looms as Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington battle for a potential four-team bid. Which powerhouse will emerge, and could the Big Ten really send a record number of squads to the College Football Playoff? Spencer McLaughlin leads the debate with Roman Tomashoff, Jacob Goins, Chris Gordy, and Craig Shemon breaking down CFP scenarios, playoff committee rankings, and m...

A mystery candidate has entered Penn State’s head coaching search — but who is it really? Host Zach Seyko digs into Josh Pate’s Thanksgiving tease, breaks down logical candidates like Jed Fisch (Washington), Kalani Sitake (BYU), and Sonny Dykes (TCU), and reveals why some high-profile names like Dabo Swinney, Marcus Freeman, and Lincoln Riley don’t fit. Then, Zach gives his final predictions for P...

USC may be ready to part ways with Lincoln Riley after another missed playoff run, but is Kalen DeBoer poised to become their top target? The coaching carousel heats up as potential SEC landing spots for Riley emerge and rumors swirl about massive buyouts and game-changing hires. Oregon’s smooth Big Ten transition, Indiana’s pursuit of its greatest season, and Lane Kiffin’s possible moves add intr...

Penn State’s coaching search is spiraling — and the Big Ten is watching closely. Host Zach Seyko welcomes Richie O’Leary from On3’s The Knight Report to break down whether Terry Smith should be promoted or if Bob Chesney is the only realistic hire left standing. They also preview Penn State vs. Rutgers: Kirk Ciarrocca’s offense, the Scarlet Knights’ improved O-line, and how Penn State’s blitz pack...

James Franklin’s move to Virginia Tech is already shaking up Penn State football. Host Zach Seyko welcomes Hunter Hodies, Virginia Tech alum and Locked On Penguins host, to analyze how Franklin’s staff and recruiting network could impact Penn State’s future. They discuss possible staff shifts (Terry Smith, Andy Frank, Ricky Rahne), potential player movement (Tony Rojas, Amare Campbell, Anthony Don...

Penn State Wrestling dominated the Army Black Knight Invitational — but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Host Zach Seyko breaks down the weekend’s biggest storylines, starting with Luke Lilledahl’s shocking upset by teammate Nate Desmond and Aaron Nagao’s latest injury setback. The chaos at the lighter weights continues with PJ Duke’s narrow 2–1 victory over Joe Sealey, proving that Penn State’s dept...

Terry Smith has done the unthinkable — turned Penn State around after the James Franklin chaos. Host Zach Seyko and associate producer Zane Brancefield break down how Smith earned the locker room’s trust, stabilized the program, and made a strong case to become the next head coach. Plus, a full recap of Penn State’s win over Nebraska, Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton’s record-breaking night, a...

Penn State wrestling continues to dominate, but questions remain about the final lineup — and who can challenge the Nittany Lions this year. Host Zach Seyko and guest Joe Smeltzer (Nittany Sports Now) break down key lineup debates, including PJ Duke’s return, Josh Barr’s recovery, and the heavyweight showdown between Cole Mirasola and Lucas Cochran. Plus: Did the National Duals prove Ohio State is...

Penn State Nittany Lions face coaching chaos but find stability under interim coach Terry Smith. Can this revitalized squad push past Nebraska and keep their bowl hopes alive? Zach Seyko explores how Penn State, led by Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, is rallying for Senior Night—where record-breaking runs and emotional send-offs for the seniors are on the line. Key topics include Penn State’...

Penn State hosts Nebraska in a primetime Senior Night showdown — and interim head coach Terry Smith has the Nittany Lions trending up. Host Zach Seyko previews the matchup, shares keys to victory, and reveals the latest on Penn State’s coaching search featuring Kalen DeBoer, Eli Drinkwitz, and Bob Chesney. Plus, Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton chase historic records in Beaver Stadium’s finale...

James Franklin is officially the new head coach at Virginia Tech — and the fallout is massive. Zach Seyko (Locked On Nittany Lions) joins Alex Donno and Kenton Gibbs (Locked On ACC) to discuss what the move means for both programs. Can Franklin rebuild the Hokies into an ACC power? And who will replace him at Penn State — Bob Chesney, Eli Drinkwitz, Brian Hartline, or Brian Daboll? Plus: recruitin...

It’s Matt Rhule’s return to Happy Valley — but is the Nebraska head coach still in play for Penn State’s vacancy? Zach Seyko (Locked On Nittany Lions) and Connor Happer (Locked On Nebraska) preview Saturday’s primetime matchup, break down both quarterback situations, and analyze the chaos surrounding Penn State’s coaching search after James Franklin’s departure. Plus: What to expect from Kaytron A...

Big Ten College Football Playoff chaos looms as Oregon Ducks face USC Trojans in a game that could determine whether three, four, or even five conference teams make the expanded playoff. Can the Trojans pull off the upset in Eugene and crash the party? The panel breaks down Oregon's defensive dominance against USC's explosive passing attack, Michigan Wolverines' controversial playoff path despite...

Penn State wrestling heads to the Army Black Knight Invitational — but with heavyweight drama brewing, a few spots could still be up for grabs. Host Zach Seyko and analyst Jeff Byers preview the event, break down lineup battles (Cochran vs. Mirasola, Duke vs. Sealey), and react to Ohio State’s dominant showing at the National Duals. Can the Buckeyes challenge Cael Sanderson’s dynasty? Or is Penn S...

James Franklin is officially the new head coach at Virginia Tech — and Penn State fans are stunned. Host Zach Seyko and recruiting expert Brian Smith break down the fallout: how Franklin could hurt Penn State in the portal, which players and assistants might follow him, and where the Nittany Lions go from here in their coaching search. They also debate how big the Penn State job really is — top 10...

Big Ten coaching carousel heats up with James Franklin’s move to Virginia Tech and rumors swirling around Lane Kiffin, Brian Kelly, and Lincoln Riley. Can Penn State land Bob Chesney to fill its high-profile vacancy? Zach Seyko and Jacob Goins weigh in on the biggest names, shakeups, and job openings redefining the college football landscape. Is Michigan State positioned for a title run with Brian...