Does anyone WANT the job?

[fastlax16]

The only one of your "suggestions" that is remotely close to choosing Brady or another Coordinator with no experience is Lanning. And Lanning took over a good situation when Cristobal went back to Miami (I'm thinking he may be regretting that choice) Freeman was elevated, Day was elevated, Swinney was elevated. Kirby had been coordinator at Alabama for a decade AND went back to his alma mater. Lanning was the riskiest choice of the 5 you reference, and he stepped in to a much better situation than whoever takes over at Penn State. As others have stated, this is not a job to learn on the fly. The only way you choose a Joe Brady or Stein or Hartline is if you are willing to have multiple year growing pains. Maybe not but historically coordinators being elevated to big time jobs have not fared well. Are you willing to take that risk? During a $700 million stadium expansion? While navigating a lost recruiting class and most certainly losing 50% of the existing roster through graduation and portal.
I suspect if Franklin gets another gig he will take much of the staff with him, and a good number of players as well.

This was intended to reply to fastlax16 -

Head coaches moving up to bigger jobs historically don't fare well either, see below.

Drinkowitz is at Missouri, with equal or lesser talent to the ranked teams he is playing against. Franklin was at PSU, with greater or equal talent to the ranked teams he played against. Come on, man.

Franklin played 25 top ten teams. He had better/equal talent than 2021 Iowa 2022 Utah and 2024 Boise State. Everyone else had better recruiting/talent.

If Scott Frost/Mike Riley had the resources of Nebraska he'd do even more than he's doing at UCF/OSU.
If Lincoln Riley had USC's resources he'd do even more than he's doing at Oklahoma
If Tom Herman/Charlie Strong had Texas' resources he'd do even more than he's doing at Houston/Louisville.
If Rich Rod had Michigan's resources he'd do even more than he's doing at WVU.
The list goes on forever.

 

[Midnighter]

Seriously. Why would Elko leave Texas AM and the annual flood of money into the program for a complete rebuild at PSU? Just because he went to Penn and comes from NJ? The very thought is bizarre. Drink is from Arkansas and has been successful in the SEC. Again, why would he leave just when Missouri is competitive to restart a program on life support? Lea is from Tenn, went to Vandy, and has Vany humming. Same question. Why would he leave?

I think Rhule is a train wreck waiting to happen. Manny and Campbell are realistic if they are looking to compete at a more prominent program. Forget any coordinators. The work that needs to be done needs someone experienced to put humpty dumpty together again.

Think Golden and Rhule were first time HCs at Temple and Golden especially had his work cut out for him; O’Brien at PSU too. Need to stop with this gatekeeping on coordinators. Plenty are qualified.

 

[Itraindogs]

Think Golden and Rhule were first time HCs at Temple and Golden especially had his work cut out for him; O’Brien at PSU too. Need to stop with this gatekeeping on coordinators. Plenty are qualified.

Explain. How is someone who has never performed the job of HC qualified to do the job of a HC (especially at an SEC or B10 school)?

 

[Midnighter]

Explain. How is someone who has never performed the job of HC qualified to do the job of a HC (especially at an SEC or B10 school)?

Ask (first HC job in parenthesis): Dan Lanning (Oregon), Ryan Day (Ohio State), Marcus Freeman (ND), Bill O'Brien (PSU), James Franklin (Vanderbilt), Kirby Smart (Georgia), Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma), Lane Kiffin (USC), Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Sherone Moore (Michigan), Al Golden (Temple), Matt Rhule (Temple), Manny Diaz (Miami, FL), Jimbo Fisher (Florida State).

All were coordinators or lower when hired.

 

[cjrugger]

Think Golden and Rhule were first time HCs at Temple and Golden especially had his work cut out for him; O’Brien at PSU too. Need to stop with this gatekeeping on coordinators. Plenty are qualified.

Brent Venables and Kirby Smart type guys are qualified. They've run their side of a program for a decade plus and understood what was going to be needed of them as a head coach. Dan Lanning was more of a wildcard because he had less experience, but everyone couldn't stop talking about how great he was. No one is talking about Will Stein or Glenn Schumann like that. If I'm missing some stud coordinator, please let me know

Joe Brady has worked in college football for 1 of the past 10 years. He would have literally zero experience with all of the job details that go into running a college football program. There's also, I would guess, a really small percentage chance that he's interested. 'Football guys' like to draw up plays and watch tape, not send DMs to 16 year old recruits and schmooze donors at cocktail receptions.

 

[Midnighter]

Brent Venables and Kirby Smart type guys are qualified. They've run their side of a program for a decade plus and understood what was going to be needed of them as a head coach. Dan Lanning was more of a wildcard because he had less experience, but everyone couldn't stop talking about how great he was. No one is talking about Will Stein or Glenn Schumann like that. If I'm missing some stud coordinator, please let me know

Joe Brady has worked in college football for 1 of the past 10 years. He would have literally zero experience with all of the job details that go into running a college football program. There's also, I would guess, a really small percentage chance that he's interested. 'Football guys' like to draw up plays and watch tape, not send DMs to 16 year old recruits and schmooze donors at cocktail receptions.

I mean, you keep changing the criteria. It is what it is - Lanning or Smart or Freeman or O'Brien or Golden or Kiffin or Riley or Swinney - all got their first HC gigs at big schools. Done and done. Tomlin was a one year DC when hired at Pittsburgh. John Harbaugh was a DB coach when hired in Baltimore. Good coaches can coach.

 

[cjrugger]

I mean, you keep changing the criteria. It is what it is - Lanning or Smart or Freeman or O'Brien or Golden or Kiffin or Riley or Swinney - all got their first HC gigs at big schools. Done and done. Tomlin was a one year DC when hired at Pittsburgh. John Harbaugh was a DB coach when hired in Baltimore. Good coaches can coach.

Promoting guys, some of whom were interim head coaches, is not the same thing. Hiring an NFL coach 20 years ago is a terrible example. It's pretty easy to see almost all of those examples are not good comps. Lanning (I think) is really the only guy who was hired from a coordinator level, to a big time program, in the current environment. If there's another Dan Lanning sitting out there, I'm all for it. I don't see anyone though

 

[Midnighter]

Promoting guys, some of whom were interim head coaches, is not the same thing. Hiring an NFL coach 20 years ago is a terrible example. It's pretty easy to see almost all of those examples are not good comps. Lanning (I think) is really the only guy who was hired from a coordinator level, to a big time program, in the current environment. If there's another Dan Lanning sitting out there, I'm all for it. I don't see anyone though

More gatekeeping. How are these bad comps? Jesus - we deserve what we get I guess.

 

[PSUFTG]

Explain. How is someone who has never performed the job of HC qualified to do the job of a HC (especially at an SEC or B10 school)?

Data would suggest there is no "cookie-cutter" to success.
The Right Guy - or Wrong Guy - can be found with any background. More than anything, depends on the competency of the folk(s) doing the search.
But any argument that a "Head Coaching Track Record" significantly increases potential future success is just not supported by facts and history.

Current SEC Coaches:

FIRST TIMERS:
Clark Lea - First time head coach, doing very well at Vanderbilt
Brett Venables - First time head coach. Rough first year, seems to have turned the corner in year 2 at Oklahoma
Kirby Smart - First time head coach at Georgia. Seems to be doing OK
Mark Stoops - First time head coach at Kentucky. Relatively successful tenure (for Kentucky) for about a decade, but dropping of as of late
Jeff Lebby - First time head coach, doing about what one would expect at Miss State (not much)
Shane Beaner - First time head coach, so-so results (about what one might expect for USCe)
Charlie Pittman - First time head coach at Arkansas (FAI&P) stumbled around, fired this year

FORMER HEAD COACHES:
Eli Drinkwitz - Had one year at Appy State, then to Missouri. Doing very well
Mike Elko - Two successful years at Duke, then to Texas A&M
Brian Kelly - Long track record of success at multiple programs, things going downhill at LSU
Billy Napier - Very successful at Louisiana, could never get things going at Florida
Kelen DeBoer - Two short stints (both successful, Fresno and Washington), then to Alabama
Steve Sarkisian - First at Washington (so-so results), then USC (bad outcome), then to Texas
Jush Huepel - Short stint at UCF (successful), then to Tennessee
Lane Kiffin - Dumpster fires at Oakland (NFL) Tennessee, and USCw, Successful stint at FAU, then to Ole Miss
Hugh Freeze - Quick success at Arky State, mixed results at Ole Miss, relative success at Liberty, seems to be stuck in mud at Auburn



Current Big Ten Coaches:

FIRST TIMERS:
Kirk Ferentz - First Time head coach. Now an institution at Iowa
David Braun - First time head coach. Early indications are solid (given the program)
Sherrone Moore - First Time head coach. Future is cloudy
Ryan Day - First Time head coach. Seems to be doing OK
Dan Lanning - First Time head coach. Seems to be doing OK
DeShaun Foster - First Time head coach. Unsuccessful at UCLA, and got the axe (had a pretty short leash)


FORMER HEAD COACHES:
Brett Bielema - Mixed record at multiple stops, then to Illinois
Curt Cignetti - First Big Boy job at IU (after success at lower levels) Doing OK
PJ Fleck - Lower level success, mixed results (but generally at or above expectations) at Minnesota
Matt Rhule - Multiple prior jobs - mixed results. Seems to be sinking at Nebraska
Mike Locksley - Brief (unsuccessful) stop at lower level, then to Maryland
Jonathon Smith - Successful tenure at Oregon State, then to MSU - where he may already be packing his bags
Luke Fickell - Very successful stint at Cincinnati, so far a dumpster fire at Wisconsin
Jedd Fisch - Short but successful stint at Arizona. Early returns are mixed at Washington
Lincoln Riley - Very successful stint at Oklahoma. Tenuous spot at USC?
Greg Schiano - Successful earlier stint at Rutgers. Schiano Part 2? Up and down?
Barry Odom - Hit and miss tenures at two other programs. Too early to tell after taking over at Purdue.
James Franklin - Successful tenure at Vanderbilt, then off to PSU. Many successful years at PSU, before dropping off sharply. Obviously, got the axe.


There are - maybe - 5 guys with a lengthy track record of sustained success at major programs: who you could feel comfortable hiring, based on that track record, and feel confident in future success. And 5 is actually probably a high number (truth be told, if you had to have a list of 5, you would probably have to include (former)HCJF).
And none of those guys are available (and Urby and Saban ain't coming back).
Of the guys currently employed at Big Boy programs, if one had to pick the two most "can't miss" candidates based on their resumes (at the time they were hired) they would be Brian Kelly and Lincoln RIley. Both of those guys have had limited success / very disappointing tenures at their current programs, and - depending on who you listen too - are on very "hot" seats.


What does that mean? Your chances of success rely on the "searcher" doing a good job of identifying the "next" Dabo / Day / Lanning / Smart / Kiffin etc - from a mixed pool of all sorts of suspects.

 

[JVP_Yahweh]

Dillingham is LDS. His entire family and extended family live in UT & AZ. He is at his dream school

 

[Itraindogs]

Data would suggest there is no "cookie-cutter" to success.
The Right Guy - or Wrong Guy - can be found with any background. More than anything, depends on the competency of the folk(s) doing the search.
But any argument that a "Head Coaching Track Record" significantly increases potential future success is just not supported by facts and history.

Current SEC Coaches:

FIRST TIMERS:
Clark Lea - First time head coach, doing very well at Vanderbilt
Brett Venables - First time head coach. Rough first year, seems to have turned the corner in year 2 at Oklahoma
Kirby Smart - First time head coach at Georgia. Seems to be doing OK
Mark Stoops - First time head coach at Kentucky. Relatively successful tenure (for Kentucky) for about a decade, but dropping of as of late
Jeff Lebby - First time head coach, doing about what one would expect at Miss State (not much)
Shane Beaner - First time head coach, so-so results (about what one might expect for USCe)
Charlie Pittman - First time head coach at Arkansas (FAI&P) stumbled around, fired this year

FORMER HEAD COACHES:
Eli Drinkwitz - Had one year at Appy State, then to Missouri. Doing very well
Mike Elko - Two successful years at Duke, then to Texas A&M
Brian Kelly - Long track record of success at multiple programs, things going downhill at LSU
Billy Napier - Very successful at Louisiana, could never get things going at Florida
Kelen DeBoer - Two short stints (both successful, Fresno and Washington), then to Alabama
Steve Sarkisian - First at Washington (so-so results), then USC (bad outcome), then to Texas
Jush Huepel - Short stint at UCF (successful), then to Tennessee
Lane Kiffin - Dumpster fires at Oakland (NFL) Tennessee, and USCw, Successful stint at FAU, then to Ole Miss
Hugh Freeze - Quick success at Arky State, mixed results at Ole Miss, relative success at Liberty, seems to be stuck in mud at Auburn



Current Big Ten Coaches:

FIRST TIMERS:
Kirk Ferentz - First Time head coach. Now an institution at Iowa
David Braun - First time head coach. Early indications are solid (given the program)
Sherrone Moore - First Time head coach. Future is cloudy
Ryan Day - First Time head coach. Seems to be doing OK
Dan Lanning - First Time head coach. Seems to be doing OK
DeShaun Foster - First Time head coach. Unsuccessful at UCLA, and got the axe (had a pretty short leash)


FORMER HEAD COACHES:
Brett Bielema - Mixed record at multiple stops, then to Illinois
Curt Cignetti - First Big Boy job at IU (after success at lower levels) Doing OK
PJ Fleck - Lower level success, mixed results (but generally at or above expectations) at Minnesota
Matt Rhule - Multiple prior jobs - mixed results. Seems to be sinking at Nebraska
Mike Locksley - Brief (unsuccessful) stop at lower level, then to Maryland
Jonathon Smith - Successful tenure at Oregon State, then to MSU - where he may already be packing his bags
Luke Fickell - Very successful stint at Cincinnati, so far a dumpster fire at Wisconsin
Jedd Fisch - Short but successful stint at Arizona. Early returns are mixed at Washington
Lincoln Riley - Very successful stint at Oklahoma. Tenuous spot at USC?
Greg Schiano - Successful earlier stint at Rutgers. Schiano Part 2? Up and down?
Barry Odom - Hit and miss tenures at two other programs. Too early to tell after taking over at Purdue.
James Franklin - Successful tenure at Vanderbilt, then off to PSU. Many successful years at PSU, before dropping off sharply. Obviously, got the axe.

Really nice job, thank you.

 

[PSUFTG]

Really nice job, thank you.

YW.

Situations like these - it is always better (I think) to at least look at the data you have - even if it is, as always, imperfect, to at least rein in the talking head media nonsense that tends to drown out all common sense.

 

[NewEra 2026]

More gatekeeping. How are these bad comps? Jesus - we deserve what we get I guess.

It is amazing the goalpost shifting and gatekeeping that is being posted in this thread. Then they top it off with comparing Franklin's top 25/top 10 record at PSU against other coaches who took bottom-feeding programs to similar top 25/top 10 records. The bottom line is that every coaching hire is unique. It was that way even at the time of Paterno/Parseghian/Osborne etc.

Franklin's time here had run its course, obviously. Let's give our AD and the next coach a chance. The Penn State job is one of the best jobs in college football, for a variety of reasons. This is both evidenced by, and caused by, the lack of coaching turnover this program has seen going back to Rip Engle. If it doesn't work out, another change will be made. But someone will be successful at Penn State, sooner rather than later.

 

[PSU4U]

It would be really dumb if he were not

It would be really dumb if he were not

That was before the 3 top guys started dropping off.

 

[PSU4U]

Seriously. Why would Elko leave Texas AM and the annual flood of money into the program for a complete rebuild at PSU? Just because he went to Penn and comes from NJ? The very thought is bizarre. Drink is from Arkansas and has been successful in the SEC. Again, why would he leave just when Missouri is competitive to restart a program on life support? Lea is from Tenn, went to Vandy, and has Vany humming. Same question. Why would he leave?

I think Rhule is a train wreck waiting to happen. Manny and Campbell are realistic if they are looking to compete at a more prominent program. Forget any coordinators. The work that needs to be done needs someone experienced to put humpty dumpty together again.

While I don't disagree, you MUST take a big swing at the best out there or you shouldn't be the PS AD.

 

[BUFFALO LION]

Ok. Reactionary, I guess...but this is brutal

This is what our brain dead fan base asked for.

 

[PSUFTG]

While I don't disagree, you MUST take a big swing at the best out there or you shouldn't be the PS AD.

True. But that is simple enough.

In most cases the "big swings" amount to nothing more than making a call to the agent (in many cases the same guy) and hearing "No thanks", then possibly saying "We'll pay $X (some ridiculous amount)" and hearing "No thanks" again (while the agent then takes the $X figure to the coach's current AD).

So, an hour after taking the "big swings", it is time to get to work.

 

[fastlax16]

It is amazing the goalpost shifting and gatekeeping that is being posted in this thread. Then they top it off with comparing Franklin's top 25/top 10 record at PSU against other coaches who took bottom-feeding programs to similar top 25/top 10 records. The bottom line is that every coaching hire is unique. It was that way even at the time of Paterno/Parseghian/Osborne etc.

We were a bottom feeding program under severe scholarship restrictions and bowl ban when Franklin took over...

It was time for Franklin to leave after the bottom fell out, but people have severe amnesia about what Penn State football was in January 2014 when he took over.

 

[barry j fenchak]

Requirements for PSU HC in order of importance:

- Must be good ambassador
- Good family man
- Adhere to "Success with honor"
- Recognize and honor Joe weekly
- No names on unis

If we have all these critical requirements fulfilled then we likely go undefeated multiple seasons.

The actual winning of games is secondary, right?

 

[Itraindogs]

We were a bottom feeding program under severe scholarship restrictions and bowl ban when Franklin took over...

It was time for Franklin to leave after the bottom fell out, but people have severe amnesia about what Penn State football was in January 2014 when he took over.

And what it will look like after the portal opens. This is not like stepping into a program pre-NIL and the transfer portal, unless you are Curt Cignetti and bring your entire staff and players with you.

 

[BCS PSU]

We were a bottom feeding program under severe scholarship restrictions and bowl ban when Franklin took over...

It was time for Franklin to leave after the bottom fell out, but people have severe amnesia about what Penn State football was in January 2014 when he took over.

Yet those 2012 through 2015 teams finished with winning records, whereas the 2025 team probably at most only is going to win four or five games. I would say that the state of the on-field product is worse now than it was back in 2012.

 

[BCS PSU]

And what it will look like after the portal opens. This is not like stepping into a program pre-NIL and the transfer portal, unless you are Curt Cignetti and bring your entire staff and players with you.

The portal works both ways. PSU will lose players, which they would've done even if Franklin had been retained, but they also can bring in players.

Let's face it, the next few seasons may be medicore at best; Saban was around .500 in his first season at Bama. And this change may not work at all. But it was becoming clear that we had reached a ceiling under Franklin, which clearly wasn't good enough to win a championship.

 

[Wilbury]

And what it will look like after the portal opens. This is not like stepping into a program pre-NIL and the transfer portal, unless you are Curt Cignetti and bring your entire staff and players with you.

It's not guaranteed depending on who gets hired, but there's a good likelihood that whoever we hire brings a lot of players with them either through the portal or through recruiting.

 

[Itraindogs]

YW.

Situations like these - it is always better (I think) to at least look at the data you have - even if it is, as always, imperfect, to at least rein in the talking head media nonsense that tends to drown out all common sense.

I agree. I wonder how this data would redistribute if we added NIL and the portal?

 

[BCS PSU]

It's not guaranteed depending on who gets hired, but there's a good likelihood that whoever we hire brings a lot of players with them either through the portal or through recruiting.

That would be my expectation. As soon as Lincoln Riley went to USC, Caleb Williams followed him. I'm sot saying that we're going to get a Heisman winner, but several of the new coach's players and recruits will follow him.

 

[PSU4U]

It's not guaranteed depending on who gets hired, but there's a good likelihood that whoever we hire brings a lot of players with them either through the portal or through recruiting.

At least a few/couple.

 

[RolexKong]

We were a bottom feeding program under severe scholarship restrictions and bowl ban when Franklin took over...

It was time for Franklin to leave after the bottom fell out, but people have severe amnesia about what Penn State football was in January 2014 when he took over.

"Bottom-feeders" are 1-11 or 2-10. PSU was 8-4 and 7-5 in 2012 and 2013 when the sanctions bit hard. Bill O'Brien did a phenomenal job, for which he seldom gets much credit, and maintained a foundation from which Franklin was able to build as the sanctions were lifted.

 

[Itraindogs]

The portal works both ways. PSU will lose players, which they would've done even if Franklin had been retained, but they also can bring in players.

Let's face it, the next few seasons may be medicore at best; Saban was around .500 in his first season at Bama. And this change may not work at all. But it was becoming clear that we had reached a ceiling under Franklin, which clearly wasn't good enough to win a championship.

Yes. I have my doubts that Penn State will ever win a championship in this era of college football, so that is not my measuring stick. But it was not only clear that Franklin could not do it at PSU, but also that the fan base had turned on him, so he definitely had to move on. I will give the guy props, though. He tried to level up the program but failed. His last two choices of coordinators doomed him.

As long as the fan base is patient with mediocrity for several years perhaps the next coach can do better than Franklin, which essentially means duplicating Franklin's record (except Covid and this year) but adding one or two extra games. This will mean beating OSU, Oregon, and Michigan with a much lesser blue chip ratio (or he is a recruiting ace and has the compensation backing to bring the blue chip ratio to the level in Columbus, Ann Arbor and Eugene).

 

[PSU4U]

True. But that is simple enough.

In most cases the "big swings" amount to nothing more than making a call to the agent (in many cases the same guy) and hearing "No thanks", then possibly saying "We'll pay $X (some ridiculous amount)" and hearing "No thanks" again (while the agent then takes the $X figure to the coach's current AD).

So, an hour after taking the "big swings", it is time to get to work.

They would have gotten personal phone calls from Kraft as well. You always personally talk to the Big Hitters if they will take your call and none of those would outright snub someone offering you perhaps millions over your current contract. That would be stupid and possibly come back around some day and bite you on the butt.

They have gone to work and still have a great top 4-5 coaches on their list they (inhouse comity) are working on.

Over the last couple days or so they have this whole search info thing rapped up tighter than an airport sandwich. But most can deduct who most if not all those 4-5 coaches are at this point barring any Darkhorse who might be heavily in the mix.

However, I can tell you that the 4 football influencers who have their favorites as in two PS alums one previous PS assistant and an unknown at this point have Kraft's ear. Not to say he will choose any of those and two he most likely won't.

 

[WaffleShopper]

"Bottom-feeders" are 1-11 or 2-10. PSU was 8-4 and 7-5 in 2012 and 2013 when the sanctions bit hard. Bill O'Brien did a phenomenal job, for which he seldom gets much credit, and maintained a foundation from which Franklin was able to build as the sanctions were lifted.

Yup. Severe amnesia is right. Not only winning records, but that bottom feeder had 3 wins over ranked teams those two years. Interesting how O’Brien and his captains kept those teams motivated and winning games when there was no post season for which to play. Quite a bit different than the leadership of the 2025 “best Penn State team ever”.

 

[Mongrel]

That's a pipe dream. So is Hartline. Manny.

Someone who would at least be worth a call to gauge interest would be Chris Peterson.

 

[PSUForever]

Head coaches moving up to bigger jobs historically don't fare well either, see below.



Franklin played 25 top ten teams. He had better/equal talent than 2021 Iowa 2022 Utah and 2024 Boise State. Everyone else had better recruiting/talent.

If Scott Frost/Mike Riley had the resources of Nebraska he'd do even more than he's doing at UCF/OSU.
If Lincoln Riley had USC's resources he'd do even more than he's doing at Oklahoma
If Tom Herman/Charlie Strong had Texas' resources he'd do even more than he's doing at Houston/Louisville.
If Rich Rod had Michigan's resources he'd do even more than he's doing at WVU.
The list goes on forever.

So your point is we should have just stuck with Big Game James. Got it.

 

[Arivacalion]

McIroy at ESPN says hire Pat Fitzgerald

 

[BCS PSU]

Yes. I have my doubts that Penn State will ever win a championship in this era of college football, so that is not my measuring stick. But it was not only clear that Franklin could not do it at PSU, but also that the fan base had turned on him, so he definitely had to move on. I will give the guy props, though. He tried to level up the program but failed. His last two choices of coordinators doomed him.

As long as the fan base is patient with mediocrity for several years perhaps the next coach can do better than Franklin, which essentially means duplicating Franklin's record (except Covid and this year) but adding one or two extra games. This will mean beating OSU, Oregon, and Michigan with a much lesser blue chip ratio (or he is a recruiting ace and has the compensation backing to bring the blue chip ratio to the level in Columbus, Ann Arbor and Eugene).

I really believe that certain mega donors basically forced Kraft's hand to make this decision when he did. As Kraft has a lot of bills to pay, he had to pull the trigger. This makes me think that these mega donors, as well as a lot of other donors, are going to be willing to spend a lot of money on bringing players into this program, which they definitely would not have done if Franklin had been retained.

I've used the example of Texas Tech. Last season, they were decent but nothing special. However, in one off-season because of all of the money that they spent on players, they became a top 10 team until last weekend. Texas Tech is in the Western wasteland of Texas, whereas State College is mere hours away from NYC and Philly and DC and Pittsburgh, among other urban areas. If players are going to go to a place like Lubbock for a price, they certainly will go to State College for a price.

 

[psuro]

We’d be entertained seeing @psuro discuss Manny’s hair with envy.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Ugh, reports out there that some of our mega donors are Rhule-only votes. What a disaster that would be. If we're in fact offering 12-15m, go take your big swings then come back around on some of the cheaper up and coming options.

Deboer ain't coming here.
Elko might if we offer 15m, otherwise A&M will match.
If Key/Brohm/Drinkawitz were willing to leave their alma mater, 10-15m offer.
If these 5 all say no then I'm offering Hartline 7.5 million and using the rest on coordinators.

 

[psuro]

I really believe that certain mega donors basically forced Kraft's hand to make this decision when he did. As Kraft has a lot of bills to pay, he had to pull the trigger. This makes me think that these mega donors, as well as a lot of other donors, are going to be willing to spend a lot of money on bringing players into this program, which they definitely would not have done if Franklin had been retained.

I've used the example of Texas Tech. Last season, they were decent but nothing special. However, in one off-season because of all of the money that they spent on players, they became a top 10 team until last weekend. Texas Tech is in the Eastern wasteland of Texas, whereas State College is mere hours away from NYC and Philly and DC and Pittsburgh, among other urban areas. If players are going to go to a place like Lubbock for a price, they certainly will go to State College for a price.

Your comment is ridiculous.

All of Texas is a wastland. Not just the eastern part of it.

 

[LMTLION]

Ugh, reports out there that some of our mega donors are Rhule-only votes. What a disaster that would be. If we're in fact offering 12-15m, go take your big swings then come back around on some of the cheaper up and coming options.

Deboer ain't coming here.
Elko might if we offer 15m, otherwise A&M will match.
If Key/Brohm/Drinkawitz were willing to leave their alma mater, 10-15m offer.
If these 5 all say no then I'm offering Hartline 7.5 million and using the rest on coordinators.

Totally ridiculous. If he was not a Penn Stater, he would not even be contacted. We are our own worst enemies.

 

[fastlax16]

"Bottom-feeders" are 1-11 or 2-10. PSU was 8-4 and 7-5 in 2012 and 2013 when the sanctions bit hard. Bill O'Brien did a phenomenal job, for which he seldom gets much credit, and maintained a foundation from which Franklin was able to build as the sanctions were lifted.

I was responding to someone who called comparing Franklin to Drinkowitz a comparison of mighty Penn State against bottom feeder programs. Missouri was 8-4, 6-6 in the 2 seasons prior to Drink taking over. Pretty comparable to 8-4 and 7-5, no?

 

[BCS PSU]

Your comment is ridiculous.

All of Texas is a wastland. Not just the eatern part of it.

I should've said Western Texas as far as Lubbock goes, so I corrected my mistake.