Smith honored the late Penn State head coach by wearing a button commemorating Paterno's 409 career victories.

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.

Terry Smith’s popularity has grown to the point where he can’t even go get his car washed in State College any longer without being recognized. It’s clear there are many that hope the interim tag is dropped and he is named the next head coach to lead Penn State football.

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

Former Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson backs Smith's candidacy to become the Nittany Lions' next head coach.

Penn State defeated Nebraska 37-10, continuing a late-season resurgence under interim coach Terry Smith. Fans and players showed strong support for Smith, who has led the team since James Franklin was fired. Running back Kaytron Allen set a school rushing record during the dominant performance against Nebraska.

Allen surpassed Evan Royster for the most rushing yards in Penn State history, while Smith received massive support from his team to become the program's next head coach after the 37-10 win.

Terry Smith made it through almost half of his weekly press conference before his voice finally gave out. The interim head coach began with box-score details and coaching points, but as the questions shifted to what this moment meant to him (after securing his first win against Michigan State