The Standard Shattered: What Really Happened to Penn State in 2025
By: Brad Kulp
basicblues.substack.com
Insider interview regarding 2025 season
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basicblues.substack.com
Excellent piece. Confirms a lot of long term criticism of Franklin. Good riddance.The Standard Shattered: What Really Happened to Penn State in 2025
By: Brad Kulp
The Standard Shattered: What Really Happened to Penn State in 2025
By: Brad Kulp
Just read it. The guy who runs the account is not some anonymous poster; he’s listed his bonafides such as they are. I feel like the answers from the ‘players/people’ interviewed use some very on the nose language/descriptions, but if true it sort of validates everything we’ve heard about NIL disparity, control, and Franklin working to poach players and coaches on his way out. Worth a read.
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Assuming it is all true, it confirmed everything we all suspected. If true, I still do not understand young guys like Denmark following Franklin down there. VT will get a bump from Franklin but the same tendencies will become evident there as well.The Standard Shattered: What Really Happened to Penn State in 2025
By: Brad Kulp
The kids get wrapped up in loyalty and fall for the nonsense. Hopefully they learn from it.
Denmark left but Koby Howard stayed. I will take that trade. Yeah, some players (and a good number of incoming recruits) followed Franklin to Blacksburg but that was more than offset by the Iowa State transfers and other recruits by Campbell in just a few weeks.
The future is bright
Repeated the same things we heard months ago.
You will hear the same things at most programs.
Next year there will be a psu recruit riding the bench while an ISU transfer who underperforms is playing.
If they posted the nil compensation you would see overpaid players on every team.
Ps. This story is as much an indictment of all the overpaid players who underperformed as it is an indictment of Franklin. It wasn't just Clifford and deluca.
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2021. Sean Clifford gets injured and leaves the game against Iowa. Roberson plays and looks totally unprepared. Veilleux doesn’t play. Later, he starts and plays better than Roberson. This article confirms what I thought at the time.
The qualities described in the article are typically exhibited by insecure people who are in over their head.
The qualities described in the article are typically exhibited by insecure people who are in over their head.
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Good riddance to James Franklin. A toxic and narcissistic individual who was 100% incapable of correcting his faults or realizing his own limitations.
Was expecting to read something mildly noteworthy. This was just sour grapes from someone that thought they should play more. Every high school, college and NFL team has younger players who are convinced they’re better than the vets. Every workplace has people who are convinced they’re underpaid.
Franklin was asked a million times over the years about the status of young players that weren’t seeing the field. The answer was usually that they were flashing potential but weren’t consistent enough. That’s a line echoed by every coach on every level. You gotta earn their trust.
Franklin’s gone, Campbell’s here and I hope we win it all. The honeymoon is always great. I don’t understand the need to trash the person that took us from worst to almost-first during his tenure.
Franklin was asked a million times over the years about the status of young players that weren’t seeing the field. The answer was usually that they were flashing potential but weren’t consistent enough. That’s a line echoed by every coach on every level. You gotta earn their trust.
Franklin’s gone, Campbell’s here and I hope we win it all. The honeymoon is always great. I don’t understand the need to trash the person that took us from worst to almost-first during his tenure.
The content jibes with much of what was posted on the interwebs the latter half of the season (i.e., post-Franklin). However, given that the comments in this purported interview are claimed to be from just two players who remain anonymous, it all could simply be contrived horse-a$$.
The Standard Shattered: What Really Happened to Penn State in 2025
By: Brad Kulp
meh, not much to get all hot and bothered about in that article. Sounds like Franklin spread the wealth around to a select few players (who took full advantage of it) and then demanded loyalty and low wages from the rest of them. Sounds like capitalism/typical company setup to me.
We know the players liked him despite his win/loss record against better competition. If they liked getting beat and embarrassed by better coached teams, who am I to tell them they are wrong and they shouldn’t follow him elsewhere?
We know the players liked him despite his win/loss record against better competition. If they liked getting beat and embarrassed by better coached teams, who am I to tell them they are wrong and they shouldn’t follow him elsewhere?
It's too bad the sources remained anonymous. Also, the article title is hyperbole. "What Really Happened" on the basis of a short article of questions addressed to two anonymous sources with an axe to grind? Of course, that's typical for what passes as journalism. Maybe others who don't remain anonymous will offer their thoughts at some point. On the other hand, maybe it's best if it just dies here. Nevertheless, some of what they have to say lines up well with some of the rumor and hearsay previously discussed here and other places, is likely a valid perspective, and offers confirmation and closure to some by perpetuating the "Franklin is toxic and evil" mantra, but it doesn't add up to the etched in stone and tabloid like "What Really Happened." Sorry, pet peeve of mine.The Standard Shattered: What Really Happened to Penn State in 2025
By: Brad Kulp
Also, I can't help but wonder why, if Franklin was/is so awful, so many former players speak so highly of him? Why does he maintain solid relations with many former colleagues (coaches and team administrators)? Probably for lots of reasons. Lots of perspectives. It's more complex than what a brief "article" with a narrow perspective can express.
Anyway, the program is in reset mode, and all the PSU fans I've talked to are excited for next season. Onward!
The king is dead, long live the king!
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So, don't believe a word Franklin ever said during his press conferences?
Guessing your take would be slightly different if the name in this article was Pat Kraft, instead of James Franklin.
"corroborated by two separate individuals inside the Nittany Lions football program."
Nowhere does the article state it was players. It could be, but it could be retained coaches, medical staff, analysts or equipment managers also. It could also be from new members of the coaching staff that spoke at length with the players. Reporters tend to protect their sources, lest they want to lose their access.
The thing that can't be ignored is that this is neither the first reporter, nor the first time these exact things have been said about the way Franklin acted and treated people.
Roberson coming in to play QB is the one I remember as being one of the most egregious cases of not having your QB prepared. But now, after this past season, and hearing of the loyalty factor, I'm starting change my view on it.
Favoritism absolutely played a role. Longevity and loyalty to the program were often valued more than actual effort and production. Some players were given extended leeway, while others had a much shorter leash, regardless of how well they practiced or prepared.
Standards slipped. Things that were never acceptable before started being allowed. Certain players were given freedom without accountability, and that spreads quickly.
Once complacency sets in, it bleeds into every area of the program. Micromanagement in the wrong places, while being checked out in others, didn’t work. That is what led to things unraveling early.
As a coach, these are the two things that are the worst to me. Letting the inmates run the asylum type stuff.
Standards slipped. Things that were never acceptable before started being allowed. Certain players were given freedom without accountability, and that spreads quickly.
Once complacency sets in, it bleeds into every area of the program. Micromanagement in the wrong places, while being checked out in others, didn’t work. That is what led to things unraveling early.
As a coach, these are the two things that are the worst to me. Letting the inmates run the asylum type stuff.
Landon Tengwall stated on one of his videos recently that they never practiced a silent count prior to that Iowa game. Roberson took the heat for that game, but he and the entire offense were not prepared to deal with the Iowa crowd noise. That’s on Franklin.
I agree. I'm glad Franklin's gone, but there's nothing shocking in this story.
All you Franklin haters lap this **** like it is gospel. Two players out of over 100 can't speak for the entire team. You could write this very article about every football program.......NIL isn't fair, better players aren't playing enough, coach is mean and has favorites, throw in some "coach swears at us" and you get this garbage article. Does Franklin deserve criticism. Yep. Did Franklin need to leave. Yep. Does bitching about him improve the team and the program moving forward. Nope. So much wasted energy on someone who was kicked to the curb. If he left on his own AND took players with him I could see the angst. I wonder who did that. Left and took all his players with him? Our newly anointed savior.
One last point. Michigan and Ohio State, the last 2 National Champions, created the blueprint that Penn State and Franklin followed. Keep senior players an extra year and have an experienced team to build on the previous year's success. Every fan was shocked and excited when the news kept coming that Allar, Singleton, Allen, Durant, Dennis-Sutton, Rucci, etc all were staying another year. But when it doesn't work the blame becomes blind loyalty and not playing younger players.
This past season sucked. Been a fan for 50 years and this year was one of the worst failures I've ever experienced. Everyone thought this team would dominate.
Franklin is the ex-boyfriend and fans want him to fail just like any ex-boyfriend. He's gone, isn't coming back, Kraft and Campbell are being fully supported.
One last point. Michigan and Ohio State, the last 2 National Champions, created the blueprint that Penn State and Franklin followed. Keep senior players an extra year and have an experienced team to build on the previous year's success. Every fan was shocked and excited when the news kept coming that Allar, Singleton, Allen, Durant, Dennis-Sutton, Rucci, etc all were staying another year. But when it doesn't work the blame becomes blind loyalty and not playing younger players.
This past season sucked. Been a fan for 50 years and this year was one of the worst failures I've ever experienced. Everyone thought this team would dominate.
Franklin is the ex-boyfriend and fans want him to fail just like any ex-boyfriend. He's gone, isn't coming back, Kraft and Campbell are being fully supported.
I've heard somewhere rumblings myself. What those people said in the article I was told by some people fairly well connected up there. There were many issues with Franklin.
After I saw that Oregon game after lackluster effort in the beginning of the year I was completely ready for him to be fired.
I didn't know what was up, but I knew there had to be something going on.
The story checks out from what I've heard. And the two people that it came from were very well connected at PSU.
True. Two players vs the 40 or so that followed him to VTech.
Basically franklin's big mistake was he didn't manage the player's greed.
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Hey Ben. Franklin was fired on October 12th. Get a new shtick
The fact that Ben Jones doesn’t like it means I like it even more. That guy is an awful reporter.
I don't buy anything from "anonymous sources", no.
I doubt CJF was perfect, since nobody is. But a lot of players followed him, so I also doubt his haters version of events. You believe what you want.
The other thing is that there were coaches that followed him. And of all the fired coaches was it only Donvan or Hand that had some nasty things to say? ok add Seider to that list as well. Something went down there.
Bottom line is I am so over the "i hate franklin and he's worse than sandusky" posts and links posted.
This doesn't have to be a Police Song....
I guess I’ll use my eyes then.
The criticism leveled at one OC after another after being coveted hires was impressive. I argued they didn’t come here and suddenly become stupid, that the HC had his grip on the OC and some playcalling. (And personnel sets that damaged likelihood of success).
“Belittled” was the word used in this article.
I guess it fits my narrative but it was on display for everyone to see.
Again, what shouldn't be ignored is there have been 2 or 3 reporters that have made very similar claims about the way Franklin acted and treated people. I doubt that they all talked to the same 2 anonymous sources. As to said sources, of course they're anonymous. That's the way journalism works. You protect your sources and corroborate the information before going public, unless you don't want a career. It's odd to me that you can simply dismiss them as "haters".
Nobody said he was perfect and sure, guys followed him. They also got paid to do so and some probably got some guarantees with regards to playing time. They're going to do what they think benefits them the most, whether that's at PSU, or Tech, or Tennessee, or San Jose State.
I personally think there is an awful lot of smoke for this to be just people being mean to Franklin. I'm also aware the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
That's what confuses me the most, especially with Grunk. He saw first hand what happened with Allar, and he saw Coach Smith turn it around. It has to be $$$$.
The biggest criticism about Franklin remains that he just could not win any big games. After that OSU game there is very little to point to. He beat Michigan in '17 and '19, Wisky on the road in '21. Got by Iowa in Kinnick a couple times with a huge talent advantage I will add. Then his signature bowl wins versus UDub in the '17 Fiesta and Utah in the '23 Rose. All of that is just a weak record.
Curt Cignetti racked up more big wins in the last 6 weeks than Franklin got in 12 years. The guy was abysmal.
So in '25 for whatever reason he could not manage NIL while his weaknesses with developing a good offense and a elite QB were exposed even more. For some reason Allar never came close to what we thought he could be. Think about Mendoza vs Allar.
Mendoza made more plays in the clutch in that 4th quarter vs Miami than Allar made in his entire career. On one hand Allar throws a game losing pick vs ND and on the other hand Mendoza has a national championship winning run. One rises in winning time while the other wilts. That can be attributed to coaching. One player is mentally ready and tough and the other is not.
Throw in the obligatory big game choke/loss that was his signature and you have our dumpster fire in '25. What this article tells me that I never knew is he played favorites and did not want to give young guys playing time. Thankfully he gone and ain't never coming back.
Curt Cignetti racked up more big wins in the last 6 weeks than Franklin got in 12 years. The guy was abysmal.
So in '25 for whatever reason he could not manage NIL while his weaknesses with developing a good offense and a elite QB were exposed even more. For some reason Allar never came close to what we thought he could be. Think about Mendoza vs Allar.
Mendoza made more plays in the clutch in that 4th quarter vs Miami than Allar made in his entire career. On one hand Allar throws a game losing pick vs ND and on the other hand Mendoza has a national championship winning run. One rises in winning time while the other wilts. That can be attributed to coaching. One player is mentally ready and tough and the other is not.
Throw in the obligatory big game choke/loss that was his signature and you have our dumpster fire in '25. What this article tells me that I never knew is he played favorites and did not want to give young guys playing time. Thankfully he gone and ain't never coming back.
I don’t mind any of the stuff that was stated in the article about him meeting with players and coaches after he was fired. As a matter of fact, that’s what he should’ve been doing, move on and create the best opportunity for him at the next school. He would’ve been stupid to not try and get guys like Coleman and Grunk to go with him.
As I showed up above, my issues were with his change in treatment of players and expectations within the program regarding practice and other things.
As I showed up above, my issues were with his change in treatment of players and expectations within the program regarding practice and other things.
Between your board name and lengthy posts, I have but one question....why can't you embrace brevity?