Just two years ago, Brian Daboll won the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year award, leading the New York Giants to their first playoff appearance after six years. However, that excitement eventually bled out as fans stared out at a 2-8 record over the weekend, and the 50-year-old’s future already seemed certain. It hardly came as a surprise when he was fired on Monday. But what’s more surprising is him being linked to Penn State.

On Tuesday, Daboll made his first public appearance, clad in Penn State gear. Does that mean he is replacing James Franklin’s cold, vacant head coach seat? PSU alum Landon Tengwall cleared out the confusion. “Daboll rocking Penn State gear! His son went to PSU and was a EQ manager when I was on the team, that’s why he’s wearing it.”

Daboll’s son, Christian, is a PSU alum, graduating in December 2022. He worked as an offensive signal caller for the Nittany Lions before joining his dad at the New York Giants as an offensive assistant.

On the other hand, Tengwall was acquainted with Christian during his time at University Park. He is a former No. 10 offensive lineman in the Class of 2021 and had to retire early from his football career due to an injury.

In a conversation with The Onward State, he talked about his recruitment. Recruited since eighth grade, he was a Nittany Lion before he put on his No. 58 jersey. “I’m so happy I picked it because I don’t think there is a more special football program out there,” he shared.

James Franklin had always been proud of his offensive lineman, saying that Tengwall understands the Penn State brand and has a different perspective on the gridiron. His debut season saw him record 407 yards against Rutgers. However, he only appeared in two more games. Sophomore season saw more action, with five appearances and a coveted Offensive Player of the Game honor against Auburn.

His junior season was supposed to be as promising, but he never reached there. A concussion led him to reconsider his choices. ” I said you know I could never live with myself if I went back out there, suffered a concussion like that,” he shared on Nittany Sports Now, “and that was like permanent. So, in the end, it was it was truly my decision.

Before the 2023 season began, he retired. Parting ways with Penn State was an emotional decision for Landon.

However, he couldn’t play on the roster; he is as immersed in the PSU locker room. Last year, he helped a fellow Penn State kicker, earning praise for his heartfelt gesture.

Landon Tengwall lauded for his wholesome initiative

The Nittany Lions were struggling on special teams. But they found their star in Ryan Barker, who led a game-winning kick against USC in overtime. However, he was a walk-on and did not receive the scholarship/NIL benefits.

As a way of thanking Barker for his impressive feat in the locker room, and in an attempt to provide him with similar benefits as his teammates, Landon began a well-wishing initiative. Ryan Barker, a Walk-On Kicker for Penn State Football,” Landon shared “…nailed the game-winning field goal against USC in an overtime win! Penn State fans. I am inviting Ryan on the Behind The Wall Podcast, so Nittany Nation can get to know off the field. Any amount you can donate…”

The campus holds a special place in his heart, as he calls it, “Penn State will always be my home,” he said while conversing with Centre Daily Times. “I will always be a proud Penn State football player.” Presently, he is a CFB analyst, voicing his opinions on his podcast, Behind the Wall, and has a YouTube channel called Landon Tengwall’s College Football Show.