Kirk Ferentz to the Browns?

...was secretly holding out hope that when Joe did step down, the University would hold a national coaching search that would include guys like Ferentz, Schiano, maybe a Cowher.

In my heart of hearts, I know Tom Bradley is the next head coach.  I want to believe he'd do well, but I am concerned that there is a staleness building in Happy Valley.  Continuity on the staff is great, don't get me wrong.  But, keeping it status quo for so long does nothing to foster excitement or create a buzz.

Look at Alabama.  For years they tried to find the disciple of the Bear by only looking at the Bear's own players.  Mike DuBose?  The guy had a losing record as a high school coach...but he played for the Bear.  MIke Shula? Played for the Bear.  Before Shula, they did go outside of the Bryant lineage only to end up with the Mike Price/Dennis Franchione debacle.

When Alabama finally figured out that it was the type of program who should be able to get whoever they want, they land Saban.  He will have that team in the top 10 until he leaves.

Auburn has started down the slippery slope of nepotism, hiring woefully unqualified Gene Chizik (Tuberville's D-coordinator from a couple of years ago) over some other worthy candidates.  The difference between Auburn and Alabama is that Auburn simply doesn't occupy the same social strata as the Tide...hence the inability to get a Nick Saban type coach.

Penn State is on the same level as Alabama, at least in perception.  A storied program that has been mostly successful.  The University could get a Saban (or a Cowher?) if it tried...but it won't.  It will settle for a loyal, nice guy who bleeds blue and white.  As a result, we (the Nittany Nation) will forced to accept 9 win seasons as "a good effort," and watch as the programs we used to be on par with continue to surpass us.