No argument here and if Kraft picks Rhule it plays right into their hands.
Does anyone WANT the job?
- Thread starter Arivacalion
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There is zero chance the donor class at PSU green lighted Franklin's mid-season firing to go out and get Rhule. Whether it's in November or December, we will get a legitimate coaching candidate who will jump at the chance to earn $11-15M over 5+ years with performance incentives. If they strike out on established HCs, they'll go after a young coordinator (Brady, Stein, Hartline) before they go to plan F with Rhule.
Tengwell talking to Tyler Donahue on his podcast. TD made a pretty good sales pitch for Brady. But you also need a GM to manage the roster. GMs are the next add on at most colleges. If you get Brady, you probably have Pegula's blessing and maybe some backing monies. It could give us a dynamic offense, and be an attraction for top flight QBs.
TD said Rhule has the most callers saying do not hire him. But with all the connections, Rhule maybe the most likely next coach if you had to bet money.
Brady could be announced HC and continue on with the Bills if both sides are willing. Assistants or new GM spearhead recruiting .
TD said Rhule has the most callers saying do not hire him. But with all the connections, Rhule maybe the most likely next coach if you had to bet money.
Brady could be announced HC and continue on with the Bills if both sides are willing. Assistants or new GM spearhead recruiting .
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Yes, and it was that last part that finally caused me—a long time supporter of CJF—to conclude that his tenure had run its course this season.
If it ends up being one of these candidates, they don't get the same kind of circumstantial grace period the last two coaches received. From what I’m hearing, the Paterno-aligned donors who’ve been holding out are ready to open their wallets. With that level of supposed backing, the expectation is clear: it's playoffs or bust — and that includes Kraft.
If Brady ended up being any good, he’d pull an O’Brien. He wouldn’t last any more than two or three years max once the NFL put enough money under his nose. Then we’re back to square one.
Unfortunately, that’s the unnecessary hole Kraft has dug for us, so he may be our best option. Hence, more likely than not, probable mediocrity for a long time to come. Welcome to Lincoln.
Kraft is done at PSU if he hires a coach who cannot get PSU back into the playoffs by year three (some may argue earlier, but the current talent depth in key positions really needs to be filled in). This has been and will continue to be a career-defining decision for Kraft.
vs. top 25
I would go with Key if I couldn't get DeBoer or Kelly.
- Matt Campbell (Iowa State) — 16-27 (.372)
- Matt Rhule (Nebraska) — 2-22 (.083)
- Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss) — 11-24 (.314)
- Brent Key (Georgia Tech) — 6-6 (.500)
- Clark Lea (Vanderbilt) — 2-15 (.117)
- Kalen DeBoer (Alabama) — 15-3 (.833)
- Brian Kelly (LSU) — 35-37 (.486)
- Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri) — 7-14 (.333)
- Mike Elko (Texas A&M) — 3-6 (.333)
- Greg Schiano (Rutgers) — 4-32 (.111)
I would go with Key if I couldn't get DeBoer or Kelly.
Like the Vandy coach, he played for the school at which he's coaching. It would take a lot for him to leave his alma mater, expecially when he can win a lot in the ACC.
I pray for the day we have so much success that the NFL takes one of our head coaches.
I could be wrong, but hasn't Penn State been over the accepted threshold for "Championship worthy" on that criteria for a while? I know they at least were at some points under Franklin.
Why would anyone want Brian Kelly?
This is kind of why I have just accepted Rhule.
There is no corner of the hiring process where his nomination will get vetoed. They will almost certainly be hiring again within 5 years tops, but there is a certain arrogance that comes with every one of these people. They "know better".
Bingo.
Kraft has an insane amount of pressure on him. If the next guy isn't winning big by year 3-4, Kraft is sh*t-canned with the coach. So will he ride with Rhule/old donors? Huge risk there. And if he's going to take a risk, why not do it on a younger guy with no real experience or tally vs good teams to this point? Maybe he hits, maybe not. But Rhule will be .500 overall by year 4. PLEASE NO.
Big-game experience. Total azzholio but hey he knows the NIL game and has recruited the south. I'm willing to get in bed with the devil if it means PSU wins a natty and then the BWI boards return to normal and start talking about asphalt driveways, deck building, classic rock and whether surfers look like seals again.
People talk themselves into irrational things each and every day.
Especially with egos... "He hasn't won any more than the last guy, but he did when WE worked together. So the problem isn't Matt, it's the support. Always won with my support, even won 10 games twice at TEMPLE!!"
Done, Matt Rhule hired. The great thing is, Kraft will actually believe it. He'll truly believe him to be the best option.
Yes; here are the numbers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_chip_(sports). What you note is that even though Penn State is mentioned as having crossed that "thresh hold" their talent metrics are significantly lower than the teams they normally lose to.
Thus far we have heard two "reasons" that put Penn State's talent acquisition at a disadvantage to their top end competitors: 1. It values retention and development over the transfer portal. Development takes time and may never hit the ceiling you projected. 2. Money. They "cannot" pay for top end talent.
The next coach needs to upend that model
Because he has consistently won at 5 different programs including 72% of his games at LSU. I don’t like his personality and he is 63 but he is a really good coach.
Good post.
Was listening to a podcast last night (I believe it was BWI), and the host has a national Rivals writer on to discuss the opening. He mentioned a few things that interested/enlightened me:
There was only one player who made all conference last year at a P4 school who entered the portal. These guys usually go to the NFL or stay put.
Moving forward, with revenue sharing, much more of your roster has to shift back to high school recruiting than even 2 years ago. Said people need to be patient, as that change alone makes an Indiana-style quick turnover less likely in 2026 and beyond.
But I believe Franklin's model needs upended, absolutely. Be it high school talent or the portal, you need to pay for top end talent and I personally think, for example, Indiana will begin to fall back a little bit after the current crop of JMU guys move through.
While at ND he was 4-11 vs Top 10 teams. 1-17 vs top 5. He is 5-10 vs top 10 teams at LSU. He has yet to make the playoff at LSU. Both ND and LSU attract top talent. He underachieved. We just ran a guy out of town for that. LSU is ready to do the same with Kelly.
Big game experience with little success. LSU is ready to can him for it.
Chris would be excellent but
If Rhule is hired there might be a fan rebellion and season ticket sales could suffer.
We better hope that's true. We will find out if Kraft is his own man or a lap dog who yaps but scares no one.
If Brady is hired then Terry Smith needs to be hired as his GM. He has the connections/relationships.
If they hire Rhule he better put his resume out immediately.
? Are you talking about Key ? Agree, that would be a tough sell for him to leave his Alma mater where his CFP possibilities are on the upswing. Haynes King (QB) has been a bonus for Key's team.
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Donahue has the betting favorite as Rhule because of big donors + the board. I think we need to root for Nebraska's downfall this season because it will be hard to justify it if he keeps losing.
Donohue does think there is legitimate smoke around Deboer and Elko's interest in the job - Deboer doesn't fit in down in Bama, and Elko might be interested in coming back to the Northeast. Could be they're fighting for extensions or if they keep winning and trot into the playoffs - both being the biggest factors in these two becoming possible.
Donohue does think there is legitimate smoke around Deboer and Elko's interest in the job - Deboer doesn't fit in down in Bama, and Elko might be interested in coming back to the Northeast. Could be they're fighting for extensions or if they keep winning and trot into the playoffs - both being the biggest factors in these two becoming possible.
I don’t necessarily disagree but I also believe he is a better game-day coach than James with a wider body of work.
I think DeBoer and Elko are both really good but I’ll be shocked.
He’s had better talent than Franklin and still failed. Plus, he’s a d bag. No thank you.
Franklin won 70% of his games here and he got canned midseason.
Brian Kelly (LSU) — 35-37 (.486), Kelly says to Franklin 'hold my beer'
kelly’s loosiana drawl won’t cut it in Happy Valley.