Just when you believed the hunt for Penn State’s next leader couldn’t get any more complicated… It has progressed from being overshadowed by a dessert chain’s popularity to supposedly describing individuals in Oregon as “eccentric.”
Penn State has been without a designated leader since dismissing James Franklin on October 12. It stands out as the most significant available role amidst a tumultuous period of coaching changes. Penn State has been associated with numerous coaches, many of whom secured extensions to remain in their current positions. A pair of recruits committed for the 2026 season has only intensified the difficulties in Happy Valley.
On Thursday evening, audio surfaced on “Dead Air Sports” featuring what is purported to be a discussion between Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft and Nittany Lions players. The video accompanying the audio was derived from a more extensive conversation.
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USA TODAY Network has attempted to contact Penn State for their reaction to the recording, which addressed the search for a coach, the allocation of NIL funds, the challenge of recruiting to State College’s remote location, and critical remarks aimed at Big Ten competitors Michigan and Oregon.
“I want all of you to understand this: If I fail to make the correct choice, my professional life is over,” the individual leading the alleged meeting states in the recording. “Comprehend the gravity of the situation. If I don’t hire the right person, my career is over. So it’s very serious to me… If I don’t hire the right person, in two years they will fire me. And I don’t get another AD job. ‘How could you (expletive) up Penn State?’”
Here are some other highlights from the leaked audio:
∎ “What’s happened here too many times at Penn State, is they (expletive) settle for second-best. That’s why we made the move.”
∎ “I think Oregon are frauds. I think they’re not tough. That’s our edge, our toughness.”
∎ Player: “To be very frank with you, I think the biggest reason why players do not want to come here is we’re in the middle of nowhere, honestly.”
Leader: “Oh, I agree. Our fans, our people don’t understand. It’s a challenge. ‘What am I going to (expletive) do?’ Oregon? Have you all been to Oregon? Ain’t (expletive) going on, it’s a bunch of (expletive) weirdos.”
∎ “Ohio State is Ohio State. But (expletive) A, it’s not like they’re lightyears better than us, talented-wise. Just can’t be able to get over the (expletive) hump! Michigan (expletive) stinks. (Expletive) joke. Cheating their balls off. That’s real by the way what they did. Oregon? Their (expletive) quarterback was shaking in overtime. But we have to win those (expletive) games.”
∎ “Can I tell you a story about NIL? This is one of the highest-paid rosters in the country. From the money that is spent right now… Texas Tech is $40 million because of that billionaire is just dropping money on them, it’s crazy, it’s (expletive) nuts. This roster that is on the field right now, probably top-four. Now how the money is spent is a different story. But money in the program… it’s the strategy behind it.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Penn State AD Pat Kraft audio leak of alleged players meeting on coaching search
