2. James Franklin, Penn State HC
USC is going to go big fish hunting, and there’s no bigger name currently on a team than James Franklin. He’s done a great job building Penn State into a powerhouse over six seasons, and has led the Nittany Lions to his third ten win season in 2019.
Franklin’s ability starts with recruiting. He has been in the top 15 recruiting classes in the country every year since 2015, all of this in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Penn State is poised to reach their third BCS bowl game with Franklin at the helm, and surely he is one of the biggest names in coaching circles.
This is a great opportunity for USC to get one of the biggest names in the business. He’s already being rumored as a successor to numerous positions, and I’m sure he won’t finish his career at Penn State. If the Trojans can get one of the biggest names in college football, they have to do it.