Pat Fitzgerald being floated around probably for this reason. Seems like a long shot.
Cignetti no longer an option
- Thread starter SRURock24
- Start date
With all due respect to him, they just should’ve kept Franklin if Fitzgerald would be the next coach. He hasn’t coached in three seasons and his last few years were bad. He also doesn’t strike me as the most charismatic person. PSU needs somebody who is going to serve as a magnet for recruits and transfers.
I expect a good hire- not a "huge" one.
In spite of what many of our fans seem to think, we are not and never have been a constant top five type program. We're not Bear Bryant's or Nick Saban's Alabama. We're not Bud Wilkenson's Oklahoma or John Robinson's USC or Ryan Day's tOSU either.
We are a top ten- fifteen type program, and will get a good coach, not a miracle worker.
In spite of what many of our fans seem to think, we are not and never have been a constant top five type program. We're not Bear Bryant's or Nick Saban's Alabama. We're not Bud Wilkenson's Oklahoma or John Robinson's USC or Ryan Day's tOSU either.
We are a top ten- fifteen type program, and will get a good coach, not a miracle worker.
What program has been a constant top 5 program? There’s a reason why Bama hired Saban, and ND hired Kelly, and OSU hired Mayer, and Michigan hired Harbaugh, and Oklahoma hired Stoops. Every program goes through low periods. You mentioned Bud Wilkinson; after his great winning streak ended, most of his teams at the end of his tenure were very mediocre.
Whoever takes this job is going to take over a program with the seventh most wins in college football history that plays in one of the biggest stadia in the world and has one of the biggest fan bases in the sport. God, the coach who just got fired came within a last second field goal of playing for the NC just nine months ago.
Fitz is beyond gracious. He recently participated in an event and ensured he came later to not put the emphasis on his attendance and participation. He drove a couple of hours just to have drinks with the kids and parents. For kids who were recruited by Fitz, he is universally held in really high regard.
That’s all well and good, but a hire like him would not move the needle at all.
I'm fine with that--I don't know why people are so afraid of a coaching leaving
Brian Kelly left ND for LSU--anything can happen
He can do both--the 2026 class isn't going to be great regardless--it wouldn't kill a portal class at all.
You hire the best coach--this hire isn't for 2026
Fitz would have been the perfect hire when we landed on O'Brien then Franklin. Now, I agree with you, isn't the time for him
I wouldn't be angry--I think he's highly underrated. His biggest mistake was trying to be Paterno and staying at Northwestern--he turned down too many other roles.
IMO, somebody like him needs to do what Kiffin did and experience success at a school like Florida Atlantic and take the next step. I’m not interested in a total novice as a head coach.
I understand and respect that outlook
I want the opposite--I want a young coordinator. Major programs have had success taking that route (Smart being the obvious example) and I think hiring a guy like Rhule or even Fitz who I like is too safe.
Now if you can get Dan Lanning or something great
Keep in mind that quality coaches who are looking for a raise are going to use this to their advantage. Just because you read something doesn't really mean anything. Agents get the coaches name thrown out there in the press as being a prime candidate.
Neither are an option, I can see Urban as a GM somewhere, but he is not coming here as the head coach.
Why mention Hayes? PSU actually had a coach who won the most college football games in history, and they definitely could him now in his prime.
Pat Fitzgerald is probably one of the most duplicitous people you will ever meet.
One of your more ridiculous statements IMO
By almost all accounts, Fitzgerald is genuine
I’ve always felt that great coaches are great because they’re flexible. So I believe that Paterno would’ve adapted and actually done quite well with NIL and the portal; he was a great salesman and closer. I’m also talking about a Paterno in his prime. Paterno actually was ahead of his time in many respects with where college football was headed.
That's a fair. I think Paterno would have absolutely loved the expanded playoff but I think he would have struggled mightily with the lack of control coaches have in this era. It's tough to discipline kids and if young guys don't get playing time they're going to bolt. I'd have loved to have seen him try though. I still think he have won--I just think he'd have been miserable dealing with it.
I'm not sure that he could have or would have tolerated the lack of concern for academics that kids and parents have today
Isn’t “foolish money” one of the classic signs of a bubble market?
Indiana paying its football coach $12 million a year for 8 years is crazy. Are they still paying Tom Allen? That program is leveraged to the nines.
Indiana paying its football coach $12 million a year for 8 years is crazy. Are they still paying Tom Allen? That program is leveraged to the nines.
And you thought Franklin was bad in big games. Woody and Bo spent many years winning very little outside the conference.
Thank God. He will end up just another flash in the pan. Although a rich one at that! Pure insanity.
Yeah I’m with you on that one. Think outside the box; no more recycled retreads.
Did it ever occur to you that he could be named before all that and start after the NFL playoffs? Happens all the time.
Oh really? Then you are telling me Kraft is blowing smoke when he said the goal is a Natty because Penn State fans “deserve it”?
The point was that people reached out not knowing his availability and his feelings about attending a NW related function.
Fitz said he didn’t want to be a distraction by attending the celebration and take away from the kids. But he did come later after the celebration festivities to recognize the kids and have drinks with the kids and parents. He drove a couple of hours to spend a little time with kids he recruited who have now graduated.
Everyone I spoke to who had their kids recruited by Fitz all feel the same towards him. The comment was made that he does not have charisma. A ton of people I spent last weekend with would paint a very different picture.
Alabama
Ohio State
Georgia
Michigan
Texas
USC
Oregon
Notre Dame
We are next at 9th. Who else? Okie, LSU, A&M all better jobs? Clemson, Florida, FSU?
We are a top 10 job.
Joe in his prime in the late 70s into the 80s would figure out the portal if it came about then.
I agree--but would he have liked it or embraced it? Doesn't it seem like something that wasn't against many things he liked? Hell, he hated scholarship limits