Just like every other year of college football, 2016 is chalk full of surprises. One of the biggest has to be the resurgence of Penn State football after a pretty sluggish start. Upon his arrival, head coach James Franklin made a promise to get Penn State back on top, but that it would take time and patience. For Franklin, it appears that things are even ahead of schedule as the Nittany Lions are undefeated at home, on the verge of a 10-2 season, and have knocked off national championship contender Ohio State. What is different this year from Franklin’s first two? It could be scholarships back at full strength from crippling sanctions or Saquon Barkley showing the nation that he is one of the best backs in the country. But, I find the success from somewhere else. The addition of offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead.

The phrase “one and done” was coined in college basketball referring to freshmen players coming to play for one season before leaving for the NBA Draft. Could we be seeing the same thing from Moorhead? He spent the last four years as the head coach at Fordham before joining Franklin’s staff. He led the Rams to three straight FCS Playoff appearances and revolutionized the offense. Now coordinating the Nittany Lions’ offense, Moorhead has revolutionized Penn State’s attack utilizing the distinct talents his unit has. He can usually be seen on the sidelines standing in an earshot of Franklin which leads me to believe that he has some serious influence on the way Franklin manages a game. Why wouldn’t Franklin want to have another head coach to bounce ideas off of?

Winter is coming and it is filled with coaching changes throughout college football. With three head coaching jobs already open, it is sure to be another busy ride on the coaching carousel this year. We all are aware of the big names that will be tapped first; Tom Herman, P.J. Fleck, and Lane Kiffin. Why wouldn’t Moorhead be forced to field some calls from power five schools or at least the group of five for a head coaching job? However, it would be awfully tough to leave Penn State as Moorhead will return his starting quarterback, Trace McSorley, his running back, Barkley, and an impressive group of wide receivers. He at least has to listen, right?

A phone call that may be too good to turn down is one from Alabama head coach, Nick Saban. With Kiffin revitalizing the Tide’s offense, Moorhead has introduced a similar style of play to Happy Valley. When most thought Kiffin’s coaching career was as good as over, Saban took him in and gave him new life. It is still not clear if Kiffin will depart at the end of this year, but it is clear that he will get another chance to lead his own team when he chooses to do so. And when that happens, the perfect fit to fill the visor that Kiffin leaves behind in Tuscaloosa, is none other than visor-wearing Joe Moorhead.

The only way that Moorhead leaves Penn State this offseason is if Kiffin leaves Alabama. That opportunity would be just too good to turn down for anyone. It would be disappointing to see Moorhead leave, but you would have to understand that it would be the opportunity to coach the two-time defending champs (yes, already making my prediction for this year’s title game). While I don’t expect Moorhead to leave after one year, I do think Penn State has to start making the most of its offensive coordinator.