Part 5/9:
Most of the top-tier coaches are under contract and tied to their current schools—an obstacle that narrows Penn State’s options significantly. The reality is, many elite coaches are not leaving their current jobs unless offered a substantial upgrade or a unique opportunity, which Penn State may not be in a position to provide.
For example, coaches like Vanderbilt’s Clark Lee, Indiana’s Kurt Cignetti, or Missouri’s Drinkwitz are unlikely targets. Lee and Drinkwitz, for instance, are comfortably situated at their programs, and their prospects of winning enough to attract attention elsewhere are limited. Cignetti’s strong run at Indiana makes him a tempting candidate, but leaving a program where he's thriving now isn’t a given.