*Updated 1/8/14, 11:26pm ET
While Penn State thought a deal for James Franklin was inevitable on Monday, Vanderbilt matched PSU's offer late Tuesday evening, and the move is no longer considered imminent. While Franklin could still end up as Penn State's next head coach, he now has a tough decision to make - FULL STORY
From 1/7:
According to a source in Happy Valley, Penn State will hire James Franklin to be Penn State's next football coach before the end of the week. While Penn State anticipated the deal getting done Monday or Tuesday, Vanderbilt reportedly matched PSU's offer, extending negotiations. Penn State is fully expected to make a new offer and Franklin is expected to accept, but this could delay the finalization of the move as Franklin's agent works on getting him the best deal possible.
Franklin, currently the head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores, is a Pennsylvania native who grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs. Franklin attended East Stroudsburg University, where he played quarterback, and after graduation Franklin was hired as the wide receivers coach at nearby Kutztown. After a successful spell as Maryland's offensive coordinator, Vanderbilt offered Franklin their head coaching job in 2010.
Franklin reached out to Penn State back in December when word first surfaced that Bill O'Brien could be heading for the NFL. PSU Administration quickly put Franklin on a three-man shortlist that also included Miami's Al Golden and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak.
Franklin has a 24-15 record in three years at Vanderbilt, and he's taken the Commodores to three straight bowl games since taking over. Before Franklin was hired, Vandy had attended just three bowl games since 1956, and his 24 total wins are the most Vanderbilt has ever had in the span of three seasons since they began playing in 1890.
--
More Penn State: