Brian Kelly among the favorites to be named coach of historic college football team

Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz is the slight favorite to land the Penn State gig with a 22% chance, per Kalshi. Kelly is listed at fifth in the Penn State odds with a 12% chance to be named the Nittany Lions coach.

Additional favorites include Louisville's Jeff Brohm (20%), Ohio State offensive coordiantor Brian Hartline (19%) and Duke's Manny Diaz (15%).

Let's explore the latest rumors on Penn State's coaching search.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is among the candidates Penn State is exploring: Report

Penn State has been dealt unfortunate news in recent weeks with Indiana's Curt Cignetti and Nebraska's Matt Rhule both signing contract extensions. While they would not be the first coaches to leave after signing an extension, it makes it much more complicated (and expensive) for Penn State to poach either Big Ten coach.

On3's Pete Nakos added two SEC coaches as additional candidates at Penn State: Texas A&M's Mike Elko and Vanderbilt's Clark Lea.

"Among the names On3 continues to hear from sources are Texas A&M’s, Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm," Nakos wrote on Monday.

"... Elko is in the midst of an 8-0 start to his second season in College Station, and his team will likely make the College Football Playoff. It would be an impressive move if Penn State were able to convince Elko to leave Texas A&M, where he has some of the top NIL resources in the country. He’s a New Jersey native and has posted a 32–14 record as an FBS head coach."

It is early, but Kelly does not appear to be Penn State's top choice. Kelly looks to be a better fit at Penn State than LSU. As more candidates bow out of the Penn State search, Kelly's chances continue to rise.