Criteria for Success for the next coach

[Woodpecker]

So there will be a new coach next year. How will you judge his success? How many years will you give him to
a) have a winning record
b) make the playoffs
c) have a 10 win season
d) beat Ohio State
e) win a National Championship?

Will you give him a "honeymoon" to get his own recruits in place? If so, how long?

 

[bluewhiteapos]

So there will be a new coach next year. How will you judge his success? How many years will you give him to
a) have a winning record
b) make the playoffs
c) have a 10 win season
d) beat Ohio State
e) win a National Championship?

Will you give him a "honeymoon" to get his own recruits in place? If so, how long?

There is no Honeymoon. Every coach must be fired after every loss and the backup Quarterback should start.
Note: I did come to believe that James needed to go.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

I’d like to always hang with OSU and actually beat them (then contend) twice a decade. So 2-8 v OSU and a deep playoff run here and there.

 

[Bwifan]

So there will be a new coach next year. How will you judge his success? How many years will you give him to
a) have a winning record
b) make the playoffs
c) have a 10 win season
d) beat Ohio State
e) win a National Championship?

Will you give him a "honeymoon" to get his own recruits in place? If so, how long?

The window to have a winning record, then win a natty, beat OSU is shorter than it used to be with the portal. Example look how quickly Cignetti turned around Indiana. Good coaching and solid use of the portal you can either turn around a program quickly or reload a program quickly due to graduating seniors like OSU does....

 

[Tgar]

No honeymoon, it’s a Short leash world.


Beat Ohio State within two seasons. Same for Michigan and Oregon. ( although, Tgar believes Coach Smith is going to win one if not both of Ohio State and Indiana )

 

[BobPSU92]

We’re screwed.

 

[Midnighter]

So there will be a new coach next year. How will you judge his success? How many years will you give him to
a) have a winning record
b) make the playoffs
c) have a 10 win season
d) beat Ohio State
e) win a National Championship?

Will you give him a "honeymoon" to get his own recruits in place? If so, how long?

Four to five years IMO. It takes time to build a roster and establish a culture. I know the portal has expedited everything these days but recruiting is still just as if not more important and I think a coach should get at least one full cycle before booting them. I also am against any extensions in that period unless there is a massive improvement (make NC game, win NC, etc.). I'm all for raises - but not extensions.

The 'hope' here by many fans is we will get a HC who does a lot of the good/great things Franklin did - bleed blue & white, not embarrass the school, embrace the PSU culture, have great relationships with players, etc. - but also get the big wins he couldn't. My guess is outside of Franklin, there is maybe one (two if you stretch) guys out there who could do that, and one I don't think is an upgrade (Ruhle) and the other isn't ready for this kind of gig just yet (Lynn).

 

[KingLando]

For all programs on our level, the expectation is to always make the playoff. That's true of every major Big Ten and SEC team. Now we know that won't happen but, in addition, you have to occasionally beat other top programs. Win 33% of the time and I'm thrilled. You can't spend 3M on a DC then blow leads against NW and Oregon while not showing up against UCLA

 

[Bison13]

3 years, portal, NIL, Adidas $ should be only 2. Not asking for Natty but as mentioned above, do the right things, and just beat the good teams 1/3 of the time instead on 1/25

 

[Midnighter]

For all programs on our level, the expectation is to always make the playoff. That's true of every major Big Ten and SEC team. Now we know that won't happen but, in addition, you have to occasionally beat other top program. Win 33% of the time and I'm thrilled. You can't spend 3M on a DC then blow leads against NW and Oregon while not showing up against UCLA

The other thing about the discourse is folks taking this year alone in a bubble as cause to move on; it's been probably since 2019/2020 - before his ten year extension - that the lack of big wins and questionable game day coaching began to really show. These problems have been aggregating for five/six years - way longer than most HCs would get to figure them out.

 

[KingLando]

And for the record, I don't need to win a title....I just need to believe it's possible. With Franklin it wasn't. Yes, we reached the final 4 but only because we played SMU and Boise State. We had the easiest path to a final anyone will ever have

 

[Bvillebaron]

I’d like to always hang with OSU and actually beat them (then contend) twice a decade. So 2-8 v OSU and a deep playoff run here and there.

That’s not how I interpreted Kraft’s comments about the standard being winning Big and National Championships when he announced Franklin’s firing.

 

[WVilleLion23]

Must be guaranteed 100% to never ever lose a game. 10 yr run of undefeated, B1G champ, and NCs only thing acceptable.

 

[StamfordBridgeVikingatLeftOffensiveTackle]

And for the record, I don't need to win a title....I just need to believe it's possible. With Franklin it wasn't. Yes, we reached the final 4 but only because we played SMU and Boise State. We had the easiest path to a final anyone will ever have

Well that's good because YOU wouldn't be winning a title, unless you're living vicariously to the extreme.

 

[NoBareFeet]

• Keep use of the portal to a minimum - win with Penn State guys
• Graduate your players
• Recruit talented, but high character guys who are here to play football AND go to school
• No more finesse football.
• Win

 

[KingLando]

Well that's good because YOU wouldn't be winning a title, unless you're living vicariously to the extreme.

"WE ARE"...deal with it

 

[KingLando]

• Keep use of the portal to a minimum - win with Penn State guys
• Graduate your players
• Recruit talented, but high character guys who are here to play football AND go to school
• Win

Disagree with the first bullet. Portal use must be heavy and fill every need.

 

[Midnighter]

I'd like to know what's changed in college football where true freshman (at least at Penn State) can't be counted on anymore? I mean, Franklin outright refused to even try a few guys (Denmark, Howard, etc.) to shake things up. Meanwhile, USC has a true freshman DT wrecking ball out there tossing Wolverines around. That to me is as big an indicator of how much pressure Franklin felt - to the point where he believed he absolutely could not risk playing someone even if for a few plays. I remember Andy Katzenmoyer as a FR and he played like Dick Butkus from the jump.

 

[Catch1lion]

I’d like to always hang with OSU and actually beat them (then contend) twice a decade. So 2-8 v OSU and a deep playoff run here and there.

Weak sauce . Get some TRT .

 

[KingLando]

I'd like to know what's changed in college football where true freshman (at least at Penn State) can't be counted on anymore? I mean, Franklin outright refused to even try a few guys (Denmark, Howard, etc.) to shake things up. Meanwhile, USC has a true freshman DT wrecking ball out there tossing Wolverines around. That to me is as big an indicator of how much pressure Franklin felt - to the point where he believed he absolutely could not risk playing someone even if for a few plays. I remember Andy Katzenmoyer as a FR and he played like Dick Butkus from the jump.

His desire to redshirt most players was infuriating

 

[Bvillebaron]

Four to five years IMO. It takes time to build a roster and establish a culture. I know the portal has expedited everything these days but recruiting is still just as if not more important and I think a coach should get at least one full cycle before booting them. I also am against any extensions in that period unless there is a massive improvement (make NC game, win NC, etc.). I'm all for raises - but not extensions.

The 'hope' here by many fans is we will get a HC who does a lot of the good/great things Franklin did - bleed blue & white, not embarrass the school, embrace the PSU culture, have great relationships with players, etc. - but also get the big wins he couldn't. My guess is outside of Franklin, there is maybe one (two if you stretch) guys out there who could do that, and one I don't think is an upgrade (Ruhle) and the other isn't ready for this kind of gig just yet (Lynn).

Not for me. Way too long a honeymoon for me. People forget that Franklin won a Big Ten Championship in his third season despite his first two seasons being the worst of the sanctions years. He also didn’t have the benefit of the transfer portal and NIL money then. If Cignetti can turn around Indiana of all places in 2 years and Franklin was fired for not meeting the standard of winning Big Ten and National Championships, I don’t want to hear about waiting 4 or 5 years for the next coach to do better.

 

[WaffleShopper]

I don’t have any criteria for success. I just want a tough guy coach that knows football. He will demand toughness from his players and they will play with an attitude. He will have decent game plans coming into games and will be able to make decent adjustments with his staff during games. He won’t need to “look at the tape” to answer basic football questions. He won’t sh*t his pants when we’re down 3 with 2 minutes left. He won’t need to put on his tough guy voice in interviews. When he says the loss is on him he will actually mean it because he’s the head coach and it will be true.

 

[Bvillebaron]

I don’t have any criteria for success. I just want a tough guy coach that knows football. He will demand toughness from his players and they will play with an attitude. He will have decent game plans coming into games and will be able to make decent adjustments with his staff during games. He won’t need to “look at the tape” to answer basic football questions. He won’t sh*t his pants when we’re down 3 with 2 minutes left. He won’t need to put on his tough guy voice in interviews. When he says the loss is on him he will actually mean it because he’s the head coach and it will be true.

Well here’s a clue for you: Kraft established the standard for success at PSU which is winning Big Ten and National Championships or bust. No excuses

 

[PSU Mike]

It’s weird. In some ways 8-5, 9-4, 10-3, 11-3 might get you more leeway for 5th and successive years than 10-3, 11-3, 11-3, 11-3.

 

[PSU87]

• Keep use of the portal to a minimum - win with Penn State guys
• Graduate your players
• Recruit talented, but high character guys who are here to play football AND go to school
• No more finesse football.
• Win

I'm sorry, but your points 1, 3 and 5 are mutually exclusive in this era of "college" football.

I would love to turn the clock back to 1985, but to get players that are going to win you games, it's transfer portal and NIL. Nobody in P4 is playing school anymore.

 

[Midnighter]

Not for me. Way too long a honeymoon for me. People forget that Franklin won a Big Ten Championship in his third season despite his first two seasons being the worst of the sanctions years. He also didn’t have the benefit of the transfer portal and NIL money then. If Cignetti can turn around Indiana of all places in 2 years and Franklin was fired for not meeting the standard of winning Big Ten and National Championships, I don’t want to hear about waiting 4 or 5 years for the next coach to do better.

Used to be most first time NC winners were at their school four years or fewer before winning. Outliers have been Harbaugh and Swinney since 2000. Ryan Day got OSU's job in 2019 and won a NC in 2024. If it's gonna happen, it's usually gonna happen early.

 

[m.knox]

So there will be a new coach next year. How will you judge his success? How many years will you give him to
a) have a winning record
b) make the playoffs
c) have a 10 win season
d) beat Ohio State
e) win a National Championship?

Will you give him a "honeymoon" to get his own recruits in place? If so, how long?

I'm less tangible on the issue. I simply want to see a competitive product on the field every game. The OSU and Michigan games in 23 and 24 are a fine examples. I don't mind losing, but make a game of it please. And once in a while, pull one out in the clutch. Honestly, I was looking for just that against ND last year and Oregon this year. The defining drive (or stand for that matter) that wins the game.......

 

[Nittany Brian]

1. Winning record should be the expectation every season. No honeymoon on that one.
2. Make the playoffs in 2027. Understandable if it doesn't happen next season, there's going to be a lot of turnover.
3. 10 win season in 2027. Probably goes hand in hand with the playoffs.
4. No Ohio State on the schedule in 2026 or 2027 -- for 2027, at Indiana, at Oregon, Michigan at home look to be the toughest (can change with everyone's access to the portal). Kraft is saying that a coaching change will result winning some big games. Let's see it. If the expectation isn't to win these, should have just keep JF.
5. Only one year of data, but I think it's a matter of accumulating talent and getting hot at the right time. Ohio State did both last year. NC game appearance by 2030 should be our baseline.

 

[ApexLion]

I think the following meets my expectations:

1. zero graduation rate
2. hire someone to steal signals from the sideline of another team
3. hookers parties for recruits
4. separate complex for football away from nerds (see Eugene model)
5. NIL agreements with Ira's new casino for multiple players who work security
6. more deals for the BOT, name the stadium Vape World Stadium
7. another committee to discuss Penn State's synergistic growth and roadmap for unparalleled progress
8. assistants who do weird things (excessive drinking and drugs, domestic disputes, porn on computers)
9. steal practice footage of other teams
10. a national title!!!! yay.

 

[BobPSU92]

If we’re going to suck, suck early. Year 1. Then move on to the next guy sucking.

 

[NoSoup4U]

So there will be a new coach next year. How will you judge his success? How many years will you give him to
a) have a winning record
b) make the playoffs
c) have a 10 win season
d) beat Ohio State
e) win a National Championship?

Will you give him a "honeymoon" to get his own recruits in place? If so, how long?

Give me a Dan Campbell clone, the requirements will take care of themselves

 

[TomPsu32]

Forget graduations rate Just Win baby Win baby new era for college football

 

[LMTLION]

Well here’s a clue for you: Kraft established the standard for success at PSU which is winning Big Ten and National Championships or bust. No excuses

Truly, this is the standard for success as indicated by Kraft. Time and roster development will not be permitted in this new era. It’s a win now mentality, and for better or worse Cignetti has proven that you can win now. Quite frankly, I’m still in shock with how everything went down with Franklin. I do think he had to go, but I never imagined he would be canned midseason. It’s not just the athletic department footing the bill for PSU football. There is big money involved, and a lot of the money comes from outside the athletic department.

 

[WVilleLion23]

I have no expectations when it comes to sports, just what I would like/hope to happen.

I stopped having expectations related to sports a long time ago. Makes it easier to deal with disappointment outcomes.

 

[BobPSU92]

It’s cute that some folks here think success is a realistic consideration.

 

[PSUcup]

I just want it to not be a big deal when we get a first down against Ohio state

 

[CVLion]

We had some fun times when Keegan-Michael Key would spoof CJF.

So, we bring back Manny Diaz, and call up Ty Burrell and tell him to stock up on hair gel.

Ta-da! Set up for success.