Straight-forward question. Many are very vocal one way or the other, but wanted the overall pulse.
Do you want PSU to hire Terry Smith as Head Coach?
- Thread starter Erial_Lion
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I don't know for sure- but I'm starting to lean his way given the lack of more promising alternatives.
I do favor firing Kraft, though.
I do favor firing Kraft, though.
At this point, yep. Kraft is in a bad, bad spot here.
PSU hasn't played that complete of a game this season. I certainly like what I see.
That said, I'm indifferent. Just get a coach and let's move forward. If it's Smith, fine.
That said, I'm indifferent. Just get a coach and let's move forward. If it's Smith, fine.
Agreed. I didn't expect to see the sentiment last night. It will only get stronger with an butt whipping of Rutgers next week.
The one thing that TOTALLY resonated with me was when Todd said last that Terry is a truth teller. I think thats very rare today. Decades ago it was assumed, not now. If that is Terry’s DNA, it means something.
I do. But I still believe in college football and student athletes. I think we need to hire a coach for minor league professionals sadly
It’s refreshing to see a no-nonsense coach who talks football like a normal person and isn’t coming into postgame press conferences talking about sack battles, penalty battles and drive-start battles.
I think a 3 year deal with a low buyout is fairly risk-free, stabilize, hire some new assistants
the downside is Terry seems the exact opposite of what Kraft said he wanted. I could see Terry being even more anti-portal than CJF was out of loyalty to his locker room
I think a 3 year deal with a low buyout is fairly risk-free, stabilize, hire some new assistants
the downside is Terry seems the exact opposite of what Kraft said he wanted. I could see Terry being even more anti-portal than CJF was out of loyalty to his locker room
I get the impression that Terry is "what he is," meaning that he's genuine, the real thing. I think most people can sense BS'ers from a mile away. Terry seems to be as far from that as you can imagine. As for Terry's DNA, the "JOE 409" button says it all. He and his dad learned from the greatest.
Could a guy like Terry make it to the top in an environment that's a whirlwind of preening recruits, a portal carousel, and OC/DCs that want to get paid big bucks and then leave at the drop of a hat? Interesting that most schools seem to be buying into that world of insanity; maybe Terry is the one guy that could show 'em how it's really done.
I don't know if he could get his team into the playoff, but IMO he deserves a shot.
Does anyone think Terry Smith can win a national championship as HC? Can he make it further than what Franklin had done?
I think Kraft wants to move on to a new regime. I think Smith gets the nod to a lucrative position to stay but I think we need to get the stink off completely from what happened at the beginning of the season.
I’ve been saying this for a few weeks now, but I think we’re watching the end of the Kraft era. He’s bumbling through this search with no true plan except for hope that one of the nation’s best would be willing to leave their already comfortable situations. Now the fan base is clamoring for the interim coach because he seems like a good guy but other than two wins against ****** opponents, Smith doesn’t have the resume to take the job.
I think Kraft wants to move on to a new regime. I think Smith gets the nod to a lucrative position to stay but I think we need to get the stink off completely from what happened at the beginning of the season.
I’ve been saying this for a few weeks now, but I think we’re watching the end of the Kraft era. He’s bumbling through this search with no true plan except for hope that one of the nation’s best would be willing to leave their already comfortable situations. Now the fan base is clamoring for the interim coach because he seems like a good guy but other than two wins against ****** opponents, Smith doesn’t have the resume to take the job.
He's totally crapped the bed with his impulsive, zero-thought or plan handling of this situation.
The multi million dollar question for me is the staff he could/would assemble. None of us know the answer. The right staff could make it an amazing hire. The wrong staff and it would be a laughing stock hire perception wise.
As such cannot vote yes or no.
As such cannot vote yes or no.
I thought he had a plan and strategy in place when he gave BGJ the heave ho, and that’s why it didn’t bother me. It is starting to appear that maybe it was not the case and he is just fumbling around. We shall see.
You just can’t pay a coach 9M to leave and then turn around to hire his CB coach who was already on the staff.
When the bulk of the staff follows JF, who will Terry hire? Does he have any connections outside of the current staff?
When the bulk of the staff follows JF, who will Terry hire? Does he have any connections outside of the current staff?
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I think they should consider giving him a 1-2 year conditional contract based on his performance. He is deserving of that and many of the players with eligibility left will stay. He is also an outstanding recruiter. Keep in mind all the players on the team were recruited under JF also. JF has built many contacts in Pa. And the DMV area and salivating to recruit them to VT. He did produce some marquee NFL talent and will be a tough battle recruiting against him. Terry does have the ability to do that. Short of hiring Ryan Day away as our coach Kraft is in a dilemma of who can take the program to an elite status. Pressure from big $ alumni are going to probably insist on some big name glamour coach. I could perceive mass exodus of current roster under some outside unproven coach who never won a National Championship. Terry could make decisions on OC and DC replacement if necessary as the head coach.
Do people think that Pat should be publically talking about candidates, giving everyone updates, etc? I never would have expected to have a coach on November 23rd, and would expect a good AD to be playing things close to the vest. I really don’t understand everyone turning on him and/or assuming he has no plan.
It’s interesting. Maybe the football room is far different than the board room, but the most successful people I saw run organizations were the ones who had the ability to motivate their team and to get them to buy in and contribute to the vision the company had. If you can get buy in and develop a shared vision, it’s very powerful.
I don’t believe you need to have the knowledge of many of the details. Get good people and let them do their jobs. Sure the opponents the last two weeks are not world beaters but neither were UCLA and NW. Something is different and the kids immediate response to Terry likely signifies some significant level of buy in.
I would carefully assess what is going on. Real leaders don’t grow on tress.
I don’t believe you need to have the knowledge of many of the details. Get good people and let them do their jobs. Sure the opponents the last two weeks are not world beaters but neither were UCLA and NW. Something is different and the kids immediate response to Terry likely signifies some significant level of buy in.
I would carefully assess what is going on. Real leaders don’t grow on tress.
It's funny that beating Michigan State, Nebraska and Rutgers makes anyone want a coach.
We all know it has nothing to do with his coaching ability. The players like him. The fans like "he's a Penn State/Paterno guy"
No contract can be less than 5...why would he take less than market value? That's a horrible look for using we did that.
How does someone recruit with a 1-2 years deal?
In cfb, interim coaches made into full time hires based based on a win or two and emotions, generally don’t work out (offhand can’t think of one).
I’m not disputing Smith doesn’t have them playing better than Franklin did, but should that be the bar? There were a couple winnable games that didn’t have that outcome.
Another thing is Smith never won a WPIAL HS title while at Gateway for about a decade despite having supposedly the most talent multiple times.
I’d definitely prefer Smith over many of the names that have been randomly tossed around, but the OP question isn’t a ranking/comparison.
I’m not disputing Smith doesn’t have them playing better than Franklin did, but should that be the bar? There were a couple winnable games that didn’t have that outcome.
Another thing is Smith never won a WPIAL HS title while at Gateway for about a decade despite having supposedly the most talent multiple times.
I’d definitely prefer Smith over many of the names that have been randomly tossed around, but the OP question isn’t a ranking/comparison.
You can't fire the HC then promote one of his staff members expecting different results. Smith has only coached under Rhule and Franklin. If Knowles was being debated that would be different with him having a title and a diverse background.
The key is short team deal, low buyout with optionality if it works out. If not, you need to move on. CFB is a complicated business these days like it or not. Very easy for a program to be left in the dust if you don't keep up. We would also need an extremely good GM to help manage the roster built and NIL allocation if you go with Terry Smith.
Kraft misread the room and has now mishandled the search. He'll been gone within 3 years. Smith is not likely to do much better than Franklin but he'll keep the program from the abyss.
What has Kraft done to mishandle the search?
Nothing...people don't understand how this works
I’m an Ohio State fan — full disclosure. I always loved JoePa, though - like Woody, Bo, the bear, he was an icon. It was really heartbreaking to see the way Penn State treated him at the end, and I can’t even imagine how much that would have hurt if I was a Penn State fan.
I feel like after Joe died, the Penn state program lost a lot of its identity. A lot of the programs have — they are mostly football factories now — but maybe because of how long Joe was around, it always felt like Penn State had more identity then most of the blue blood programs.
You guys had that identity again last night. That intern coach loves Joe, loves the team, is brave and honest, wore that button — it brought me to tears, and I don’t even like you guys.
I think you should hire him. He may not work out, but if he does, he will bring back that part of your program that was always so special. Give him a few years - he’ll get Joe’s statue back up. Most programs would be thrilled to get someone who lives and dies with their program and loves it the way he does. You guys could have that — that passion, that love, that integrity — and you’d trade it for Urban Meyer? WHY?
just my perspective as an outsider. I understand the desire to win the championship. It’s awesome, and it’s been a long time for you. But all these other guys you think about hiring — they or someone like them will still be around in 3 years if this doesn’t work. This opportunity with Terry Smith - the passion and time will probably never be as right again as it is now, and he may make you the kind of program in both wins and character that makes OSU jealous. None of your other candidates will do that.
Again, after watching last night I felt passionately enough that I just wanted to say something. I have no desire to upset anyone or troll on your board.
I feel like after Joe died, the Penn state program lost a lot of its identity. A lot of the programs have — they are mostly football factories now — but maybe because of how long Joe was around, it always felt like Penn State had more identity then most of the blue blood programs.
You guys had that identity again last night. That intern coach loves Joe, loves the team, is brave and honest, wore that button — it brought me to tears, and I don’t even like you guys.
I think you should hire him. He may not work out, but if he does, he will bring back that part of your program that was always so special. Give him a few years - he’ll get Joe’s statue back up. Most programs would be thrilled to get someone who lives and dies with their program and loves it the way he does. You guys could have that — that passion, that love, that integrity — and you’d trade it for Urban Meyer? WHY?
just my perspective as an outsider. I understand the desire to win the championship. It’s awesome, and it’s been a long time for you. But all these other guys you think about hiring — they or someone like them will still be around in 3 years if this doesn’t work. This opportunity with Terry Smith - the passion and time will probably never be as right again as it is now, and he may make you the kind of program in both wins and character that makes OSU jealous. None of your other candidates will do that.
Again, after watching last night I felt passionately enough that I just wanted to say something. I have no desire to upset anyone or troll on your board.
Keep in mind were it not for a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone by the kid from Indiana he would have taken the Hoosiers out and they had Iowa beat on the road except for the last two minutes. The only time since Smith took over that this team looked overwhelmed was the second half in Columbus. But the Buckeyes overwhelm just about everyone they play.
Very nice response and I don't think you're trolling but of course the rest of the Big Ten would want us to hire a guy that is limited to be our next coach. Especially if that means we don't take Hartline.
Fair point. You give him 4-5 year deal but low buyout and a short leash if the recruiting and roster build is not what is needed.
I dont understand the benefit here
I truly think everyone is focused on short term goals...saving the 2026 class/current roster....over the big picture.
You hire the best person for the job. Always. Any other decision (in football or business) never works out.
Terry is a nice guy. He's a Penn Stater. He's not someone that should be getting more than a courtesy interview.
If the next coach wants to keep him as a AHC that'd be fine.
In fairness he may pull the rabbit out of the hat but based on how things have transpired since Franklin's firing it would appear he thought he had a stronger hand than he is actually playing. Fine, he delivers KDB I'll gladly take pie to the face but at this point our best options appear to be sticking with Terry Smith or rolling the dice that Chesney can bring his group of five magic to the power four. You hire Drinkwitz or Brent (I have built my record on the back of Haynes King) Key here - DISASTER!
If we were not competing with two major SEC programs I'd be a lot more confident we'll land a homerun hire, but much like the housing market there days with inventory tight and competition high not sure the solution to our long-term objectives is readily available. We over-pay for CJF 2.0 and start the coaching parade that many other programs go through. I get how the process works. Kraft is likely doing the best he can in this situation but personally I'd prefer the guy who bleeds blue and white over a coach that has a higher yet unproven ceiling.
I don't expect it. But I certainly wouldn't be disappointed in it.
All I know from my recliner is that it seems it took a few weeks, but this team (and coordinators) has gone from a ME first mentality to WE first mentality. There's a lot of value in that. Stuff NIL money can't buy.
All I know from my recliner is that it seems it took a few weeks, but this team (and coordinators) has gone from a ME first mentality to WE first mentality. There's a lot of value in that. Stuff NIL money can't buy.