James Franklin: College football has changed and "we have to change with it"

[NateBauer]

Penn State head coach James Franklin made his most pointed remarks about the challenges the program faces during his weekly radio show.

James Franklin: College football has changed and "we have to change with it"

Penn State head coach James Franklin made his most pointed remarks about the challenges the program faces during his weekly radio show.

www.on3.com

 

[Arringtonian]

Penn State head coach James Franklin made his most pointed remarks about the challenges the program faces during his weekly radio show.

James Franklin: College football has changed and "we have to change with it"

Penn State head coach James Franklin made his most pointed remarks about the challenges the program faces during his weekly radio show.

www.on3.com

On point 1) That to me was James definitive statement as to what is going on behind the scenes. It’ll be really interesting to see what the administrations answer will be and what will happen in the off-season (obviously). Will he stay and we get facility upgrades? Will he go and we lose a bunch of people in 2022 class? I know almost all will be signed in december, but still they can transfer right?

 

[NewEra 2014]

I guess I hope James gets everything he wants from Penn State. But I’m under no illusion that he will win championships even if he gets exactly what he thinks he needs. I hope he does win, but I’m starting to get the feeling that there will always be an excuse with this guy.

James is 49 years old and five years removed from the Big Ten Championship year. Right now, he is looked upon as a cool guy to play for. That window is going to close rather rapidly if he can’t put Penn State, or his next stop, over the top soon.

 

[2021torino]

His remarks could have carried a bit more weight had he not lost the Illinois game.

 

[CvilleElksCoach]

His remarks could have carried a bit more weight had he not lost the Illinois game.

What a stupid comment.

 

[PrtLng Lion]

So CJF is negotiating behind the scenes to get facility upgrades, higher salaries for his staff, other (?), etc.

I'd like to see the mechanics of this. What's left on his current contract and would he be holding out on signing an extension until he gets some of these things he's apparently asking for? Is he really indicating to the AD that he'll resign if they don't capitulate?

Wish he'd explain the "college football is changing" part in more detail.

 

[Ram20]

Here is a dirty little secret, at least as I see it, James of 8 years ago thought he could win championships by recruiting and sloganeering. Mature CJF has realized he isn't good enough, his coaches are not good enough, to simply recruit and develop championship teams. So now be is asking for every conceivable advantage he can get from the university and I would understand if the university said "no, we still don't think you can win." But for a program that is definitely lacking in some areas, I think this process might be good for the future of the program. James is asking the university if they are willing to invest fully. If they aren't, he gone. And if they invest fully and continue to lose under Franklin, he's fired and this is an even better job for the next coach.

 

[FK3JM]

Thank idiots like Emmertt and coaches like Urban Meyer for forcing us to “adjust”. OSU doesn’t pull the Bosa brothers out of Florida because Columbus is the sexiest town on earth. It’s the “screw class, screw being well-rounded….focus on football” attitude along with all of the hedonistic benefits of playing football at Ohio State. NIL money now pouring in from Ohio businesses, while the city of Philadelphia cares more about Villanova basketball. Who the hell thought pastures in nowhere PA was a good spot for a school anyways.

Michigan is in the same boat as us - still trying to win as a university instead of an AAU program.

 

[LaJollaCreek]

His remarks could have carried a bit more weight had he not lost the Illinois game.

#TRUTH You can cry foul all you want to, but doing it every year coming off a 4-5 campaign and dropping that game while being in the top 10 paid coaches in the country shows a lack of awareness. Everyone is all for the program moving forward, but the I'm leaving or else loses it's luster when you do it ever year while telling everyone how loyal you are. How about another title run....or a playoff spot....that helps the money to start flowing again.

 

[BobPSU92]

Sandy’s on the clock. Fortunately for all of us, she’s got this.

 

[PSUArnie]

On point 1) That to me was James definitive statement as to what is going on behind the scenes. It’ll be really interesting to see what the administrations answer will be and what will happen in the off-season (obviously). Will he stay and we get facility upgrades? Will he go and we lose a bunch of people in 2022 class? I know almost all will be signed in december, but still they can transfer right?

I'm having a hard time keeping up with this annual soap opera but what additional facility upgrades is he pushing for over and above what is already planned or being worked on? Thought I saw something not long ago about a pretty significant expansion (Lasch building) that is already in the works but not what else is going on.

 

[psu31trap]

Is there something wrong with the current facilities at Penn State? From the few pictures that I've seen the weight room and the facilities in general are beautiful. I'm not trying to be facetious, but I really want to know how dumping millions into a facility will assist him in poaching "elite" high school athletes from OSU, Florida, LSU etc etc. Penn State has 2 National Championships, 3 Big 10 Titles, and 5 undefeated seasons that in itself should be enough. One final thought on the issue. Coach Franklin from a salary perspective is in elite company, ranked 13th to be specific. Would it be fair or abrasive for the AD to say NO!

 

[TiogaLion]

I am so ready for Franklin to move on. The "devil you know" vs the "devil you don't know"? I'll take the unknown devil in this case.

 

[PSUJam]

Is there something wrong with the current facilities at Penn State? From the few pictures that I've seen the weight room and the facilities in general are beautiful. I'm not trying to be facetious, but I really want to know how dumping millions into a facility will assist him in poaching "elite" high school athletes from OSU, Florida, LSU etc etc. Penn State has 2 National Championships, 3 Big 10 Titles, and 5 undefeated seasons that in itself should be enough. One final thought on the issue. Coach Franklin from a salary perspective is in elite company, ranked 13th to be specific. Would it be fair or abrasive for the AD to say NO!

Nate just posted this on Twitter.

 

[NittanyBuff]

So CJF is negotiating behind the scenes to get facility upgrades, higher salaries for his staff, other (?), etc.

I'd like to see the mechanics of this. What's left on his current contract and would he be holding out on signing an extension until he gets some of these things he's apparently asking for? Is he really indicating to the AD that he'll resign if they don't capitulate?

Wish he'd explain the "college football is changing" part in more detail.

Aren't facility upgrades currently happening? I know they were working on Lasch a couple summers ago when I was in town, where do they stand currently?

 

[bbrown]

His remarks could have carried a bit more weight had he not lost the Illinois game.

+100. Facilities have probably cost us recruits and games against the better opponent's, cough, cough OSU but not the crap fest that was Illinois, or some of the MSU games in the past

 

[kgilbert78]

Thank idiots like Emmertt and coaches like Urban Meyer for forcing us to “adjust”. OSU doesn’t pull the Bosa brothers out of Florida because Columbus is the sexiest town on earth. It’s the “screw class, screw being well-rounded….focus on football” attitude along with all of the hedonistic benefits of playing football at Ohio State. NIL money now pouring in from Ohio businesses, while the city of Philadelphia cares more about Villanova basketball. Who the hell thought pastures in nowhere PA was a good spot for a school anyways.

Michigan is in the same boat as us - still trying to win as a university instead of an AAU program.

You are a bit wrong about Columbus. 40 years ago when I moved her for grad school, you'd have been correct. Today, we're the 14th largest city in the US. Metro? Passed Cleveland in the last census. It's used a lot for product research and has a lot of tech companies (CAS, Battelle, OCLC).

I will note, however, that when tOSU was founded, Columbus was "pastures in nowhere" Ohio. I can still recall farms inside the Outerbelt.

 

[danvillenit]

Is there something wrong with the current facilities at Penn State? From the few pictures that I've seen the weight room and the facilities in general are beautiful. I'm not trying to be facetious, but I really want to know how dumping millions into a facility will assist him in poaching "elite" high school athletes from OSU, Florida, LSU etc etc. Penn State has 2 National Championships, 3 Big 10 Titles, and 5 undefeated seasons that in itself should be enough. One final thought on the issue. Coach Franklin from a salary perspective is in elite company, ranked 13th to be specific. Would it be fair or abrasive for the AD to say NO!

Success way before current players were born has very little recruiting value today. So no, past success isn’t enough.

 

[danvillenit]

Here is a dirty little secret, at least as I see it, James of 8 years ago thought he could win championships by recruiting and sloganeering. Mature CJF has realized he isn't good enough, his coaches are not good enough, to simply recruit and develop championship teams. So now be is asking for every conceivable advantage he can get from the university and I would understand if the university said "no, we still don't think you can win." But for a program that is definitely lacking in some areas, I think this process might be good for the future of the program. James is asking the university if they are willing to invest fully. If they aren't, he gone. And if they invest fully and continue to lose under Franklin, he's fired and this is an even better job for the next coach.

I think this scenario is very likely.

 

[Georgia Peach]

So CJF is negotiating behind the scenes to get facility upgrades, higher salaries for his staff, other (?), etc.

I'd like to see the mechanics of this. What's left on his current contract and would he be holding out on signing an extension until he gets some of these things he's apparently asking for? Is he really indicating to the AD that he'll resign if they don't capitulate?

Wish he'd explain the "college football is changing" part in more detail.

Perhaps one way the school needs to change is to be more welcoming of portal transfers and cut out the seemingly endless "red tape" the school imposes on those looking to transfer to PSU. The portal is like recruiting high schools kids but with student athletes who are more independent and knowledgeable about college and the support of athletes and less influenced by parents and high school coaches. PSU has to be supportive of this means of getting players who can contribute to the program and work hand in glove with coaches like Russ, James and Cael to allow them to be successful with this type of recruiting. I sense the coaches know about the manner in which their sport is changing and that they have to convince the administration of what needs to be done in response.

 

[BobPSU92]

Perhaps one way the school needs to change is to be more welcoming of portal transfers and cut out the seemingly endless "red tape" the school imposes on those looking to transfer to PSU. The portal is like recruiting high schools kids but with student athletes who are more independent and knowledgeable about college and the support of athletes and less influenced by parents and high school coaches. PSU has to be supportive of this means of getting players who can contribute to the program and work hand in glove with coaches like Russ, James and Cael to allow them to be successful with this type of recruiting. I sense the coaches know about the manner in which their sport is changing and that they have to convince the administration of what needs to be done in response.

So PSU makes it harder than other schools to transfer in? I haven‘t heard this before. How is Penn State making it harder for these kids?

 

[PSUJam]

 

[NatLion]

This is all about NIL. PSU is committed to doing the facility and staff stuff, but NIL is half-assed.

 

[BobPSU92]

Paging Art.

 

[FK3JM]

You are a bit wrong about Columbus. 40 years ago when I moved her for grad school, you'd have been correct. Today, we're the 14th largest city in the US. Metro? Passed Cleveland in the last census. It's used a lot for product research and has a lot of tech companies (CAS, Battelle, OCLC).

I will note, however, that when tOSU was founded, Columbus was "pastures in nowhere" Ohio. I can still recall farms inside the Outerbelt.

I’m not saying Columbus is a cow pasture, but it’s also not a dream destination. I don’t think people growing up in Georgia yearn for central Ohio. These guys don’t care if Columbus is becoming the Midwest Silicon Valley or whatever else it’s transforming into. It’s a leg up on Ann Arbor or State College, but no-show classes, NIL support, free **** from local boosters, etc are bigger draws.

 

[Arringtonian]

I'm having a hard time keeping up with this annual soap opera but what additional facility upgrades is he pushing for over and above what is already planned or being worked on? Thought I saw something not long ago about a pretty significant expansion (Lasch building) that is already in the works but not what else is going on.

Well, there still needs to be upgrades and they aren’t all being met, thats why we keep hearing about it. Yes, theres a Lasch upgrade that’s 48 millions dollars and that’s approved and Franklin is appreciative of that. However, they still need need single occupancy freshmen dorms. (This hurt in Nick Cross’ recruitment). Parking area for one of the main buildings. New or renovated assistant coaching offices (apparently these are definitely in need of upgrade). New and better located training tables. And an upgrade with the cafeteria I believe. And also an NIL team that will have an aggressive approach to NIL. He wants to be able to attract the best players and coaches he can.

 

[NittanyBuff]

I’m not saying Columbus is a cow pasture, but it’s also not a dream destination. I don’t think people growing up in Georgia yearn for central Ohio. These guys don’t care if Columbus is becoming the Midwest Silicon Valley or whatever else it’s transforming into. It’s a leg up on Ann Arbor or State College, but no-show classes, NIL support, free **** from local boosters, etc are bigger draws.

Nothing special about a lot of Georgia, I've been to Athens, middle of nowhere.

 

[CDLionFL]

Penn State has 2 National Championships, 3 Big 10 Titles, and 5 undefeated seasons that in itself should be enough.

17-22 yr olds don’t give a flying F about history. It’s all about ‘what kind of nice toys do you have’ and ‘how can I get to the League’. If history meant something to people, Temple basketball (5th winningest program in NCAA) would roll in the recruits every year. Nowadays, it’s all about ‘me’. Why do you think these kids have these flashy ceremonies just to announce where they’re going to school, er, play football?

One other point about Franklin - if he wants more salary for his assistants, maybe he should carve out a million from his contract and distribute it.