CJF shortcomings now obvious. Can he get better?

[LealandLoyal]

Question bothering me all day: how can we have a coach who makes over $8M a year and he does not know when to go for 2 nor when to go for it on 4th down or punt? How will these deficiencies change? Can he learn? Who can tell him how to make the right decision? Maybe he just doesn’t understand field position or momentum?

 

[CDLionFL]

He's had this problem going all the way back to 2014. If he didn't figure it out since then, he'll never figure it out. Maybe someone needs to have those elementary school flash cards on the sideline to help him out.

 

[NewEra 2026]

Question bothering me all day: how can we have a coach who makes over $8M a year and he does not know when to go for 2 nor when to go for it on 4th down or punt? How will these deficiencies change? Can he learn? Who can tell him how to make the right decision? Maybe he just doesn’t understand field position or momentum?

I don’t think he has the self-awareness and humility to get better at this point in his career. I hope I’m wrong, but at this point he is what his record says he is.

 

[Erial_Lion]

I’ve seen some improvement through the years (ie understanding to go for 2 after the last TD at Ohio St, or understanding to go for two after the last TD Saturday). However, way too many questionable decisions on 4th downs, not using the 3rd down plays to set up 4th downs, or not having the anticipation to know when to call timeouts late in halves vs when to let the clock run.

 

[WestSideLion]

These deficiencies have been present for the better part of 10 years. The stagnation has caused many to start noticing them this season. Franklin is a net-negative game day coach. Against top opponents he’s much worse.

 

[Calabrin]

Question bothering me all day: how can we have a coach who makes over $8M a year and he does not know when to go for 2 nor when to go for it on 4th down or punt? How will these deficiencies change? Can he learn? Who can tell him how to make the right decision? Maybe he just doesn’t understand field position or momentum?

There are a lot of posters on this board that think 10-2 is worth $8m a year. They’re satisfied with that result, and they love to compare us to lesser programs and point out they’d all love to be us. They don’t seem to understand that $8m/year specifically says, “You better be competitive with the top programs in the conference.”

 

[Grant Green]

He needs a computer nerd analytics guy in his ear giving him advice. The anti-analytics folks will scoff, but I ask you, do you prefer Franklin or a computer making key decisions? I'll take my chances with the computer.

 

[johnmpsu]

Question bothering me all day: how can we have a coach who makes over $8M a year and he does not know when to go for 2 nor when to go for it on 4th down or punt? How will these deficiencies change? Can he learn? Who can tell him how to make the right decision? Maybe he just doesn’t understand field position or momentum?

He has shown zero evidence that he can learn from his mistakes. I doubt he can start now. Combine that with the fact that in my memory. he has never taken responsibility for any failure. It's way easier to find a scapegoat and blame him. Personally I'm tired of the act. After the MI debacle he says it's not good enough and fires the OC. Just once I'd like to hear him say "I have to do better", or " in retrospect I made some bad decisions ". I won't hold my breath.

 

[WestSideLion]

He needs a computer nerd analytics guy in his ear giving him advice. The anti-analytics folks will scoff, but I ask you, do you prefer Franklin or a computer making key decisions? I'll take my chances with the computer.

The challenge is effectively modeling PSU’s lack of executional ability. Can the computer make the situational and play calls? Can it formulate the game plan during the week?

 

[Mister Magoo]

Agree. His feel for game once it starts is usually awful.

He needs a computer nerd analytics guy in his ear giving him advice. The anti-analytics folks will scoff, but I ask you, do you prefer Franklin or a computer making key decisions? I'll take my chances with the computer.

.

 

[Calabrin]

He needs a computer nerd analytics guy in his ear giving him advice. The anti-analytics folks will scoff, but I ask you, do you prefer Franklin or a computer making key decisions? I'll take my chances with the computer.

Following analytics is the right thing to do. My concern is that Franklin doesn’t properly interpret the analytics.

Example:

Analytics might say a stupid play like the tush-push is successful 75% of the time. In a vacuum, you might look at that and say, “Hey, we should definitely run this play in 3rd-and-short situations.” But wait— what does the percentage change to when you drop all of the data points provided by weak programs?

Now maybe the analytics say 50%. See, the problem with analytics is far too many people don’t know how to ask the right questions.

For the record, I’m not saying this is the case with Franklin or with the tush-push play, but based on Franklin’s decision making, I have every reason to believe there’s some kind of flaw in the way he relies on analytics. Just using that word — “Analytics!” — probably makes people feel smart. But if you don’t know what the hell you’re doing, it doesn’t matter.

 

[PSUFBFAN]

There are a lot of posters on this board that think 10-2 is worth $8m a year. They’re satisfied with that result, and they love to compare us to lesser programs and point out they’d all love to be us. They don’t seem to understand that $8m/year specifically says, “You better be competitive with the top programs in the conference.”

In 3 of the last 4 games against the big 2, it was a one score game deep into the 4th qtr. That’s “competitive”.

 

[Calabrin]

In 3 of the last 4 games against the big 2, it was a one score game deep into the 4th qtr. That’s “competitive”.

And then what happened?

When the outcome is always a loss, you’re not competitive. Your logic might apply to those first two games JF had against Ohio State where we lost by a combined 3 points, but after a while, it no longer matters. It becomes less about the deficit, and entirely about the fact that we NEVER win.

 

[Bison13]

Following analytics is the right thing to do. My concern is that Franklin doesn’t properly interpret the analytics.

Example:

Analytics might say a stupid play like the tush-push is successful 75% of the time. In a vacuum, you might look at that and say, “Hey, we should definitely run this play in 3rd-and-short situations.” But wait— what does the percentage change to when you drop all of the data points provided by weak programs?

Now maybe the analytics say 50%. See, the problem with analytics is far too many people don’t know how to ask the right questions.

For the record, I’m not saying this is the case with Franklin or with the tush-push play, but based on Franklin’s decision making, I have every reason to believe there’s some kind of flaw in the way he relies on analytics. Just using that word — “Analytics!” — probably makes people feel smart. But if you don’t know what the hell you’re doing, it doesn’t matter.

Yeah, analytics do not take into account momentum of the game or situational awareness. He does use a chart that says hey when you’re down five points, you need to go for two, but that chart isn’t to be used in the first half of the game. You have to take into account time And number of possessions that you would have left as well. I know analytics also say that going for two on the last touchdown is the right call, because you know whether you need one possession or two, but in the pace of the game, as well as the Home crowd. It’s an automatic to go for one there and get the game back down to one possession. Yes, it does mean that you need to get two to tie at the end but you’d much rather go into overtime at home then on the road so in that situation you need to play for overtime.

 

[dcf4psu]

Please read Mike Poorman's article in StateCollege.com. I wonder based on his experience how he became a head coach to begin with? He must have interviewed very well at Vanderbilt.

Poorman’s All-22: James Franklin Fires (Another) Offensive Coordinator in Mike Yurcich

We interrupt this All-22 of Penn State’s 24-15 loss to the Harbaugh-less Michigan Wolverines to bring you the All-22 on the firing on Sunday of (former)

www.statecollege.com

 

[BW Lion]

Please read Mike Poorman's article in StateCollege.com. I wonder based on his experience how he became a head coach to begin with? He must have interviewed very well at Vanderbilt.

Poorman’s All-22: James Franklin Fires (Another) Offensive Coordinator in Mike Yurcich

We interrupt this All-22 of Penn State’s 24-15 loss to the Harbaugh-less Michigan Wolverines to bring you the All-22 on the firing on Sunday of (former)

www.statecollege.com

A good fact-based article

 

[leinbacker]

He needs a computer nerd analytics guy in his ear giving him advice. The anti-analytics folks will scoff, but I ask you, do you prefer Franklin or a computer making key decisions? I'll take my chances with the computer.

At this point, I’d take a 10 year old with Xbox experience calling plays

 

[BobPSU92]

For all the money spent on college football coaches, it’s all really just a guessing game. You call a play and just hope that your guy is faster than their guy. It’s nothing more than that.

 

[leinbacker]

For all the money spent on college football coaches, it’s all really just a guessing game. You call a play and just hope that your guy is faster than their guy. It’s nothing more than that.

“think fast run fast”

 

[Midnighter]

For all the money spent on college football coaches, it’s all really just a guessing game. You call a play and just hope that your guy is faster than their guy. It’s nothing more than that.

Some here would have you believe otherwise….in fact, they say coaching is so difficult that unless you’ve actually done it, you are not qualified to comment on it. At all. So I’ve heard…

 

[BobPSU92]

Some here would have you believe otherwise….in fact, coaching is so difficult that unless you’ve actually done it, you are not qualified to comment on it. So I’ve heard…

Some people guess better than others. The law of averages doesn’t apply. We’re talking probabilities, ANALYTICS. . @LionJim could explain it. And then you add hope.

 

[ApexLion]

Only an accumulation of excessive talent will overcome his coaching issues and lead to a CFP slot.

He's not alone in the D1 revenue sports.

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Question bothering me all day: how can we have a coach who makes over $8M a year and he does not know when to go for 2 nor when to go for it on 4th down or punt? How will these deficiencies change? Can he learn? Who can tell him how to make the right decision? Maybe he just doesn’t understand field position or momentum?

Question 1. Answer - He panics. No balls.

Question 2. Answer - They won't. He is like that drunk friend you keep passing help to and he never changes.

Question 3. Answer - No. He thinks he is smart because he has managed to BS everyone and get away with it.

Question 4. Answer - Nobody. He is hired to make the right decisions and relying on someone else will get him fired.

Question 5. Answer - Maybe. How else can one explain him making the same dumb decisions time and time again?

 

[Catch1lion]

if

 

[GrimReaper]

In a similar vein to what others have written: Franklin lack the vision/focus/discipline to achieve his goal, which is to win championships. And he won't have an epiphany and somehow get it, it just doesn't happen.

 

[BobPSU92]

In a similar vein to what others have written: Franklin lack the vision/focus/discipline to achieve his goal, which is to win championships. And he won't have an epiphany and somehow get it, it just doesn't happen.

Franklin: If I ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

 

[GrimReaper]

Franklin: If I ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

That's fine, but what if it ain't working?

 

[Obliviax]

going for two should be pre-planned before the game even starts but I think going for two before the end of the 3rd Qtr is dubious. Why? First, college football is a game of emotion. We've got 19 and 20 year old kids playing key positions and need to be continuously fed positivity in game. The PAT is a celebration. And when you don't make the two it feels like a loss. Savor the win!

Second, when you look at this game, PSU gave up a FG with the turnover. We may have lost a FG with that turnover since it was on a play where we gained a first down and were in UM territory early in the 3rd Qtr. That is a 6 point swing. Add in two PATs and you've got a 8 point lost opportunity.

 

[retsio]

Franklin - good recruiter for his dream 'job' - small time school QB as player - terrible in-game coach without experience as player in BIG 10 or Power 5.
Overpaid - drama king ..... his CEO status is fake because he cannot LEAD !

 

[Ram20]

People have forgotten about this, but I was very concerned about the season when after the opening win against Illinois, Franklin was complimentary of the effort. "I call that a DAMN good road big 10 win." The offense looked like sh*t then, our line wasn't blocking well nor was it physical. Allar was displaying inaccuracy in the face of of the rush. Franklin has talked about transparency and inward thought lately, but he was unwilling to do so after that Illinois game. If I have to remind everyone, minus their QB gifting us(or fine, our defense earning) 5 turnovers, that game isn't a close win, it was a loss. Franklin talks about "standards" but at critical times he doesn't enforce them. He does not make this O-line accountable to the standard, ever. Saban would have ripped his team even in victory....Franklin will never do that. He demands "explosives" but when we don't get them, he says its good complimentary football...it's "on-schedule." We also had a tough time against Northwestern, but Franklin covers the spread so it was a "good hard fought BIG 10 road win." He just never sees the potential pitfalls until it's too late. This offense was broken since the first game of the year....against worse teams, the defenses sheer dominance covered up for a ton of inadequacies. It's so frustrating, then Franklin throws out his canned PR stats..."we've scored 30+ points in 9 consecutive games...one of 3 programs to do that." I hate that our fans see problems before Franklin does.

 

[Madsol]

going for two should be pre-planned before the game even starts but I think going for two before the end of the 3rd Qtr is dubious. Why? First, college football is a game of emotion. We've got 19 and 20 year old kids playing key positions and need to be continuously fed positivity in game. The PAT is a celebration. And when you don't make the two it feels like a loss. Savor the win!

Second, when you look at this game, PSU gave up a FG with the turnover. We may have lost a FG with that turnover since it was on a play where we gained a first down and were in UM territory early in the 3rd Qtr. That is a 6 point swing. Add in two PATs and you've got a 8 point lost opportunity.

Your first point is why I was so opposed to going for 2 at the end of the 1st half on Saturday. First off, just never chase points in the first half. But even more, you score with 30 seconds left in the half. You know Michigan isn't going to do anything with those 30 seconds. And you get the ball to start the 2nd half. Kick the XP, let Michigan run one play and go into the locker room on a high note. Instead, you miss the 2 point conversion and it was like all the air just went right out of the balloon. Just a poor decision.

 

[BostonNit]

Your first point is why I was so opposed to going for 2 at the end of the 1st half on Saturday. First off, just never chase points in the first half. But even more, you score with 30 seconds left in the half. You know Michigan isn't going to do anything with those 30 seconds. And you get the ball to start the 2nd half. Kick the XP, let Michigan run one play and go into the locker room on a high note. Instead, you miss the 2 point conversion and it was like all the air just went right out of the balloon. Just a poor decision.

The 2-pt chart doesn't have a column for emotion and the ebb and flow of a game unfortunately. That requires judgement from the HC.

 

[Grant Green]

The challenge is effectively modeling PSU’s lack of executional ability. Can the computer make the situational and play calls? Can it formulate the game plan during the week?

That's a whole different problem. I'm just referring to in-game situational decisions (go for it, punt it, go for 2, etc).
Game planning and play calling require a savvy coordinator. We got on on defense. Need to find one on offense. And then Franklin needs to let them do the heavy lifting and avoid meddling.

 

[LealandLoyal]

Yeah, analytics do not take into account momentum of the game or situational awareness. He does use a chart that says hey when you’re down five points, you need to go for two, but that chart isn’t to be used in the first half of the game. You have to take into account time And number of possessions that you would have left as well. I know analytics also say that going for two on the last touchdown is the right call, because you know whether you need one possession or two, but in the pace of the game, as well as the Home crowd. It’s an automatic to go for one there and get the game back down to one possession. Yes, it does mean that you need to get two to tie at the end but you’d much rather go into overtime at home then on the road so in that situation you need to play for overtime.

And CJF is terrible about using field position and the student section location in the south end zone to his advantage. He just does not factor that into his/the analytics' decisions. Like the 4th down where he burned a timeout trying to decide what to do. Looked like they were going for it. Everyone around me was saying "punt the ball. Pin them deep. We have a great defense. And there is less than a minute left in the quarter and Michigan will be down in front of the student section when we switch sides." After burning the timeout, he does decide to punt and the exact scenario we wanted played out. But he burned a valuable timeout to get there. Just boneheaded. How do we fans think that situation through in a few seconds, but Franklin needs a timeout to so decide?

 

[dcf4psu]

Question bothering me all day: how can we have a coach who makes over $8M a year and he does not know when to go for 2 nor when to go for it on 4th down or punt? How will these deficiencies change? Can he learn? Who can tell him how to make the right decision? Maybe he just doesn’t understand field position or momentum?

Regarding the second two point try in his post game presser he said it was based on analytics (same with the first). I think he thought it was a 10 point game.

 

[PSUFTG2]

Of all the reasons PSU lost to Michigan, the "2 Point Decisions" and "when to punt" choices (whether one agrees with them or not - and of all of those, the worst one was probably the decision - after that timeout - to punt on 4th-2 near midfield. FWIW) ranked way, way down the list.

Being unable to convert a 1st and goal from the 3. Being unable to complete a single throw downfield all day long. And blitzing themselves into giving up huge gash plays on critical 3rd and longs, are just a few of the far more important concerns. And that list could get a lot longer before we get to "going for 2".

 

[Bvillebaron]

He needs a computer nerd analytics guy in his ear giving him advice. The anti-analytics folks will scoff, but I ask you, do you prefer Franklin or a computer making key decisions? I'll take my chances with the computer.

Interesting Franklin said his decision to go for 2 after the first TD was analytics driven. Go figure.

 

[Grant Green]

Interesting Franklin said his decision to go for 2 after the first TD was analytics driven. Go figure.

Yeah, I'd be interested to know more about their analytics on that play. If it is late in the game, I'm all for it. it should also depend on your true probability of getting 2 yards (which may have been closer to 40% than 50% vs UM).
FTR, as someone who believes in the utility of analytics, in general they should be used as a tool and not followed blindly.

 

[LealandLoyal]

Of all the reasons PSU lost to Michigan, the "2 Point Decisions" and "when to punt" choices (whether one agrees with them or not - and of all of those, the worst one was probably the decision - after that timeout - to punt on 4th-2 near midfield. FWIW) ranked way, way down the list.

Being unable to convert a 1st and goal from the 3. Being unable to complete a single throw downfield all day long. And blitzing themselves into giving up huge gash plays on critical 3rd and longs, are just a few of the far more important concerns. And that list could get a lot longer before we get to "going for 2".

Yeah, well, a guy who won 409 games used to say "take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves!" Little things like knowing whether to go for 2 and when to punt or go for it on 4th down.

 

[Daveb9127]

Yeah, he needs to realize that he needs a " coach whisperer" next to him during a game, someone with good " game time strategy."