None of that makes any sense. Schuyler is the non-executive Chairman of the BoT. He can't simply call someone and have them do what he wants unless PSU is totally corrupt and out-of-control. And if it's that bad, we'll hear about it soon enough. I don't know Schuyler from Adam, but I do know he's the number three guy at Hilton Worldwide. And if he's doing the sort of things you suggest, he's putting his career and the boatload of money (nearly $10mm p.a.) in jeopardy. I can't imagine he's that dumb, nor does he have enough free time to be "heavily involved in our program." But if I'm wrong and he wields that kind of clout, then why doesn't he simply give Franklin the contract and other stuff that he wants?
Personally, I believe that what ever kernels of truth there are in this story they're buried in a massive pile of manure.
Couple of things. The Board of Trustees has never not approved any spending request for Football. Just about all of the Trustees like to view themselves as involved in the football program, Schuyler is probably no different, but none of them, not even the Chairman, has to "pull any strings" to get football spending approved. The majority of the Trustees trip over themselves trying to be the first in line to approve of spending money for anything football related.
When Louis Freeh issued his long list of recommended remediations, the only one that the Board refused to approve was that they - the Trustees - give up their luxury suite for the football games.
Coach Franklin has four years left on a huge contract that is only in its second year, a contract that was a horrible agreement from the standpoint of Penn State. Which not only made Franklin one of the highest paid coaches in the country, but also the highest paid coach in the Big Ten, now that Harbaugh was hit with a pay cut. It also provides that the amount Franklin, or his new employer, would have to pay if Franklin were to leave at an extremely low figure - about $3 million as of today - and forces Penn State to pay Franklin an enormous amount - roughly $25-30 million - if they let him go.
Since signing the contract, Penn State is 7 and 9 in conference games. Only one of those 7 wins came against a team with a winning record. Whether Franklin would have the hutzpah to ask for an even larger contract, I have no idea. Whether anyone at Penn State would even consider such a request, I don't know. But unless Franklin has a lot of hutzpah, and Penn State is completely out of control, it is hard to imagine the scenario presented as the rumor of the day to have any truth to it. Then again, who knows?
