Penn State's Terry Smith wants to be considered for the permanent role originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Interim coach Terry Smith says he wants the permanent job at Penn State, and the longtime assistant may soon get his formal chance to make that case.

Player support, on-field momentum and a looming formal interview are pushing Terry Smith closer to Penn State’s full-time job.

The Penn State Nittany Lions are set to interview a surprising candidate with strong support for their permanent head coach.

As interim coach Terry Smith did his on-field interview, several players clustered behind him holding signs that read, "Hire Terry Smith." Moments earlier, Smith walked to midfield to shake hands with Matt Rhule -- the coach who gave him his first FBS opportunity at Temple more than a decade ago.

James Franklin has landed a new job, and Penn State’s bank account is better off for it. Penn State will be paying a whole lot less than the $48 million buyout Franklin was reportedly due when the Nittany Lions fired him last month.

DeBoer represents a major player in the Penn State search but also an long-shot hire. Alabama (8-2) is 10th in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and pursuing a spot in the 12-team field. The Crimson Tide finish the regular season with games against Eastern Illinois on Saturday and the Iron Bowl vs. Auburn on Nov. 29.

Jon Sauber of The Centre Daily Times spoke on the chances of Penn State hiring head coach Kalen DeBoer away from Alabama.

According to a report from Tolu Akintunde of Nittany Lions Wire, Freeman has not dismissed the idea of the Nittany Lions just yet. However, he is considered a long shot and would likely prefer to wait for the Ohio State job to open or for an NFL opportunity.