Reports indicate that Penn State has its top two candidates to replace Micah Shrewsberry

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Not long ago, Penn State fans were clamoring about the school’s newfound basketball success following an NCAA tournament berth for the first time since 2011 and a tournament win for the first time since 2001. Despite all of the Nittany Lions’ massive strides, the Penn State basketball program lost its head coach earlier this week, and as of right now, the program is a mess — 11 players are leaving, the staff is still in question, and there is no head coach. New reports on Sunday suggest that Penn State has two top candidates to replace Micah Shrewsberry, including the highly-touted Dusty May.

Penn State UPDATE?

Penn State wants Rhoades but Rhoades is 50/50 on if he wants to take the job

Looking like he is trending towards not leaving

Dusty May vs Mike Rhoades

— The Coaching Portal (@TheCP_Hoops) March 26, 2023

Penn State basketball is down to two candidates to replace Micah Shrewsberry

Earlier today, Penn State basketball fans were clamoring over the idea of hiring Mike Rhoades, the head coach of VCU basketball. Earlier on Sunday, a flight tracker caught a private jet flying from State College to Richmond, where VCU is located. If this is indeed Rhoades, it would be an incredible hire for the Penn State basketball program — Rhoades is coming off of a conference title-winning season with VCU and is one of the hottest names on the market right now.

Hmmmm pic.twitter.com/V5K2DTus2V

— Jaret Gold (@JaretGold) March 26, 2023

Is Rhoades an option?

Still, according to these reports, Rhoades might not be interested in the Penn State job; after all there are eight scholarship spots open and the recruiting class is a mess. It’s not like football where Penn State is a top job; in basketball, the Nittany Lions are one of the bottom jobs in the Big Ten… for now.

Penn State basketball is pursuing Dusty May as well

Of course, Penn State is looking to hire Dusty May as well. From the sound of things, Pat Kraft wants either FAU coach Dusty May or VCU coach Mike Rhoades to take over the program next year; however, May is a bit of a tough option right now. FAU has been to two tournaments in the program’s history: 2002 and 2023. With Dusty May as the team’s head coach, the FAU Owls have made a historic run through the tournament and will now be appearing in the Final Four for a shot at the national title game.

Getting Dusty May to State College would be massive for the Nittany Lions; however, it is also a tall ask of new AD Pat Kraft, who is conducting his first real coaching search at Penn State. Either way, it looks like Penn State knows who it wants; now, it’s time for Kraft to go get his guy.

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