Penn State targeting Boston College AD Patrick Kraft to replace retiring Sandy Barbour

According to sources, Penn State wants Boston College athletic director Patrick Kraft to be its next athletic director.

The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of the week, according to sources.

Sandy Barbour announced her retirement earlier this year.

He played football in the Big Ten at Indiana and oversaw the programs at BC and Temple. Penn State football coach James Franklin termed the hire critical for the athletic department and football program after Barbour stepped down.

In his two years as the athletic director at Boston College, he secured a $15 million lead gift to help build a basketball practice facility and signed a long-term apparel contract with Adidas and New Balance.

For Penn State, the background of the man is steeped in football experience. He had a good relationship with Jeff Hafley when he was at Boston College.

Penn State fans will be more familiar with the work of the man at Temple. He was both an associate athletic director for two years and the athletic director starting in May 2015, and he worked closely with Matt Rhule to help build Temple into the American Athletic Conference champion. Rhule authored back-to-back 10-win seasons at Temple and the school hosted GameDay in 2015.

Temple beat Penn State in the season opener. It was the first win over Penn State in 74 years.

After taking the Temple job, the current Penn State defensive coach left to become the head coach at Miami. Collins had two bowl seasons before he left for Georgia Tech. Rod Carey was hired to replace Diaz in just three seasons.

Penn State is in the middle of a crowded Big Ten East. After Barbour stepped down, Franklin made comments about the attributes he would want in an athletic director.

He told reporters that he wants the new athletic director to have a good understanding of what it is like to compete against other programs. Franklin is looking for someone who can get things done and who can be aligned with him and the president.

In November, Franklin agreed to a 10-year deal. Franklin has worked with three athletic directors since he was hired.

Boston College has had four athletic directors in the last year. Hafley has worked with three athletic directors since arriving at Boston College.