The race for the next first-time national championship-winning coach is heating up. Currently, with only 3 active coaches holding a title, the spotlight is on rising stars. Dan Lanning and Marcus Freeman are seen as top contenders among them, leading powerhouse programs with championship aspirations. But amid this debate, a college football legend has singled out one program closer than ever to turning championship dreams into reality.
On the March 21st episode of Saturday Down South, college football legend Adam Breneman was asked to name his pick for the next national title winner. Without hesitation, he backed James Franklin and Penn State.
“I go to James Franklin at Penn State. I think, does—yeah, but I, I just think like Penn State’s so close,” said Adam. But he didn’t stop there, and doubling down on his belief, he added, “I think, listen, I think you call—you could call me a homer for that pick like three years ago. I think now, like, it is—it like, they are so close in 2025 with Drew Aller coming back.”
As of now, with speculation swirling and a problematic 1-14 record against top-5 opponents, James Franklin had a golden opportunity. While a win over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl could have cemented PSU among CFB’s elite, it solidified Franklin as one of the game’s top coaches.
Nevertheless, the Nittany Lions needed one victory to contend for their first national title since 1986. Honestly, the stage was set, but the ultimate breakthrough remained just out of reach.
Now, Penn State’s offense just got even stronger. For the 2025 season, the Nittany Lions return their dynamic backfield duo—Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards last season, with Allen racking up 1,108 yards, while Singleton delivered 1,099 yards. So, their dominance on the ground has made Penn State’s rushing attack one of the best in CFB.
However, to add firepower to the passing game, Penn State made key moves in the transfer portal. They landed Devonte Ross, a former Troy star who set a school record with 229 receiving yards in a single game in 2024. Then, the Nittany Lions also flipped 4-star wideout Matthew Outten from Virginia Tech, further strengthening their aerial attack.
And as Adam Breneman put it best, saying, “The fact they retain both their, both running backs. The fact that they’re making some moves in the portal at receiver. I think they still got to make some more. Penn State has been so close the last couple years. It feels like it’s going to happen soon.”
That being said, these key additions are set to elevate Penn State’s passing game, giving Drew Allar the weapons he needs as the Nittany Lions chase a national title. But after James Franklin, Adam Breneman’s next pick for a first-time championship coach? Dan Lanning.
If not Penn State, then who?
Dan Lanning is turning Oregon into a national powerhouse. In their first season in the B1G, the Ducks wasted no time storming to a conference title. On top of that, Lanning has built a recruiting and transfer portal machine, stacking talent year after year. Right now, with a 35-6 record to his name, the 38-year-old HC is proving he’s just getting started—and there’s no sign of him slowing down.
Here, Adam didn’t hold back in his praise for Dan Lanning, saying, “And then Dan Lanning, I mean, I, listen, I think Dan Lanning’s got an argument to be a top two coaches in the game right now. Top three. I mean, he’s as good as they come. And the way he’s building that program, the way they’re recruiting—Oregon football is different. And they have a, they have a, they have some swagger under Dan Lanning. So, I see—I think Oregon gets the job done.”
You can say with Lanning at the helm, the Ducks aren’t just competing—they’re dominating.
So, Oregon isn’t chasing greatness; they’re demanding it. Look, winning the title in 2025 will be incredibly tough. With Lanning, Freeman, Franklin, and other powerhouse coaches in the mix, the battle is more intense than ever.
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