James Franklin vs Shane Beamer

[18IsTheMan]

PSU made the decision to move on from James Franklin, in spite of having made the CFP semis last year, winning 70% of his games and an overall very successful 11 year tenure. He had his issues with the top teams as we all know but rarely had bad losses. Almost always beat the teams he was supposed to beat. But he ran into one bad 3-game stretch. Really the first serious rough patch in his entire tenure, but they cut bait.

The thinking is simple. In this NIL and portal era, it was just to risky to stick with Franklin and end up losing donor money. Expectations were sky this year and they didn't live up. Sound familiar?

Yet, here we sit with most of our fan base adamantly opposed to the mere thought of parting ways with a coach who is on pace for 4 wins this season solely because he had 9 wins last season. Franklin went 34-8 the previous 3 seasons.

UGA fired Mark Richt on the heels of consecutive 10 wins and 9 win seasons. Yes, those schools are far superior in every way and should have higher expectations than us.

Nevertheless, we are perpetually mediocre because we perpetually accept mediocrity.

 

[sclawman77]

4 wins=$2M per win for Beamer

 

[18IsTheMan]

4 wins=$2M per win for Beamer

Not a bad deal for him.

Which is why I say rubbish to the he "deserves" to be back next year nonsense. He's getting paid $8.15 million for Pete's sake. He's paid about the same as Franklin was. Franklin produced FAR better results and his a** kicked to the curb.

 

[92Pony]

Not a bad deal for him.

Which is why I say rubbish to the he "deserves" to be back next year nonsense. He's getting paid $8.15 million for Pete's sake. He's paid about the same as Franklin was. Franklin produced FAR better results and his a** kicked to the curb.

I want Shane to be successful here, I really do. But I still can't believe that we're paying him $8mill a year......

 

[BoneSpur]

It is called "Indiana Envy". Indiana just can't be better than PSU in football. They are, so PSU pouts like a little kid that had their ball stolen. PSU gets what they deserve,

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

It is called "Indiana Envy". Indiana just can't be better than PSU in football. They are, so PSU pouts like a little kid that had their ball stolen. PSU gets what they deserve,

So do we I guess.

 

[18IsTheMan]

It is called "Indiana Envy". Indiana just can't be better than PSU in football. They are, so PSU pouts like a little kid that had their ball stolen. PSU gets what they deserve,

ehhhhh I'm pretty sure they'd have fired Franklin even if IU was winless. Don't see any connection b/w IU winning and Franklin being fired.

 

[18IsTheMan]

PSU AD on why Franklin was fired: " We’ve invested at the highest level. With that comes high expectations."

Goodness, I hope Donati has the same mindset. We are paying top 20 money for a head coach along with several top assistants.

What expectations come with that? Are we meeting those expectations?

Do we actually have expectations.

 

[BoneSpur]

ehhhhh I'm pretty sure they'd have fired Franklin even if IU was winless. Don't see any connection b/w IU winning and Franklin being fired.

Indiana went into Eugene and beat Oregon after PSU lost in OT at home to them. Northwestern lost was the final straw.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Indiana went into Eugene and beat Oregon after PSU lost in OT at home to them. Northwestern lost was the final straw.

But Franklin gets canned after the Northwestern loss no matter what IU does.

 

[gamecock stock]

PSU made the decision to move on from James Franklin, in spite of having made the CFP semis last year, winning 70% of his games and an overall very successful 11 year tenure. He had his issues with the top teams as we all know but rarely had bad losses. Almost always beat the teams he was supposed to beat. But he ran into one bad 3-game stretch. Really the first serious rough patch in his entire tenure, but they cut bait.

The thinking is simple. In this NIL and portal era, it was just to risky to stick with Franklin and end up losing donor money. Expectations were sky this year and they didn't live up. Sound familiar?

Yet, here we sit with most of our fan base adamantly opposed to the mere thought of parting ways with a coach who is on pace for 4 wins this season solely because he had 9 wins last season. Franklin went 34-8 the previous 3 seasons.

UGA fired Mark Richt on the heels of consecutive 10 wins and 9 win seasons. Yes, those schools are far superior in every way and should have higher expectations than us.

Nevertheless, we are perpetually mediocre because we perpetually accept mediocrity.

Great post. If fans stop going to the games, that will send a message.

If you have to go, please take a paper bag to cover your face. That might send a message too. The better route is to stay home with your ticket. If not, get used to mediocre results under nepo baby Beamer.

 

[will110]

PSU made the decision to move on from James Franklin, in spite of having made the CFP semis last year, winning 70% of his games and an overall very successful 11 year tenure. He had his issues with the top teams as we all know but rarely had bad losses. Almost always beat the teams he was supposed to beat. But he ran into one bad 3-game stretch. Really the first serious rough patch in his entire tenure, but they cut bait.

The thinking is simple. In this NIL and portal era, it was just to risky to stick with Franklin and end up losing donor money. Expectations were sky this year and they didn't live up. Sound familiar?

Yet, here we sit with most of our fan base adamantly opposed to the mere thought of parting ways with a coach who is on pace for 4 wins this season solely because he had 9 wins last season. Franklin went 34-8 the previous 3 seasons.

UGA fired Mark Richt on the heels of consecutive 10 wins and 9 win seasons. Yes, those schools are far superior in every way and should have higher expectations than us.

Nevertheless, we are perpetually mediocre because we perpetually accept mediocrity.

I see a big difference between the Richt/Franklin situations and Beamer, primarily in their times at each school. It's not "accepting mediocrity."

It was clear that Franklin wasn't getting over the hump. He'd been at Penn State 11 years and almost never won a big game. His record against top 10 opponents was abysmal. Franklin had lost the fan base. It's been a tenuous relationship with Franklin and Penn State at best for several years now. He could point to always winning the games he was supposed to win until the past couple weeks. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Richt, though a good man and coach, had been at Georgia for 15 years. He hadn't won a conference title in a decade. The program had plateaued under his leadership.

And, ultimately, it's a simple fact that Penn State is the 7th winningest program and Georgia the 9th winningest program in college football history. And, despite that, both schools gave the respective coaches over a decade each to build programs and win championships.

South Carolina is the 54th winningest program in college football history. A "championship or bust" standard is irrational and unreasonable. Otherwise you're advocating for a fire and hire strategy every couple years.

If this season continues on the current trajectory, though, Beamer's seat should be warm going into 2026.

 

[18IsTheMan]

If this season continues on the current trajectory, though, Beamer's seat should be warm going into 2026.

And there's the rub. We're ultimately ok with a 4-win season in Year 5.

The PSU AD later said: "We set certain expectations and those expectations weren't being met."

It makes me wonder what expectations we actually have, if any, when 4 wins in season 5 is considered acceptable.

 

[will110]

And there's the rub. We're ultimately ok with a 4-win season in Year 5.

The PSU AD later said: "We set certain expectations and those expectations weren't being met."

It makes me wonder what expectations we actually have, if any, when 4 wins in season 5 is considered acceptable.

It's not acceptable.

 

[Piscis]

I see a big difference between the Richt/Franklin situations and Beamer, primarily in their times at each school. It's not "accepting mediocrity."

It was clear that Franklin wasn't getting over the hump. He'd been at Penn State 11 years and almost never won a big game. His record against top 10 opponents was abysmal. Franklin had lost the fan base. It's been a tenuous relationship with Franklin and Penn State at best for several years now. He could point to always winning the games he was supposed to win until the past couple weeks. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Richt, though a good man and coach, had been at Georgia for 15 years. He hadn't won a conference title in a decade. The program had plateaued under his leadership.

And, ultimately, it's a simple fact that Penn State is the 7th winningest program and Georgia the 9th winningest program in college football history. And, despite that, both schools gave the respective coaches over a decade each to build programs and win championships.

South Carolina is the 54th winningest program in college football history. A "championship or bust" standard is irrational and unreasonable. Otherwise you're advocating for a fire and hire strategy every couple years.

If this season continues on the current trajectory, though, Beamer's seat should be warm going into 2026.

Those are all good points. I'd say the big issue with Beamer is that it looks like he is going to go from a 9 win season to a 3 or 4 win season in one year. Good coaches don't generally do that unless there is a rash of serious injuries that decimate the starting lineup. That is not the case this year for Carolina. Looking at the program from an objective point of view, there doesn't seem to be a true direction to what Beamer is doing. Every season is like year one.

 

[18IsTheMan]

It's not acceptable.

If we end up with 4 wins and he's not fired after this year, then that's the clear message.

 

[Piscis]

If we end up with 4 wins and he's not fired after this year, then that's the clear message.

If he finds a way to beat Clemson to get to 4 wins, he might get a raise.

 

[18IsTheMan]

If he finds a way to beat Clemson to get to 4 wins, he might get a raise.

Well, Teasley got a massive raise in the offseason after putting together back-to-back seasons of one of the worst OLs in college football, so this is not as ludicrous as some may think.

 

[will110]

If we end up with 4 wins and he's not fired after this year, then that's the clear message.

Just because Beamer isn't fired doesn't mean the administration thinks the results are acceptable.

There obviously need to be hard conversations. Beamer needs to sell the plan for the future, and perhaps financial concessions need to be made as well. For example, Harbaugh at Michigan and Norvell at FSU took reduced salaries after their bad seasons.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Just because Beamer isn't fired doesn't mean the administration thinks the results are acceptable.

There obviously need to be hard conversations. Beamer needs to sell the plan for the future, and perhaps financial concessions need to be made as well. For example, Harbaugh at Michigan and Norvell at FSU took reduced salaries after their bad seasons.

They can say the results are not acceptable, but if you're still going to pay someone millions of dollars after a terrible season in Year 5, the messaging is mixed at best.

I go back to the PSU AD's statement after firing a guy who had won 70% of his games: "We set high expectations and those expectations weren't being met."

 

[kidrobinski]

I see a big difference between the Richt/Franklin situations and Beamer, primarily in their times at each school. It's not "accepting mediocrity."

It was clear that Franklin wasn't getting over the hump. He'd been at Penn State 11 years and almost never won a big game. His record against top 10 opponents was abysmal. Franklin had lost the fan base. It's been a tenuous relationship with Franklin and Penn State at best for several years now. He could point to always winning the games he was supposed to win until the past couple weeks. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Richt, though a good man and coach, had been at Georgia for 15 years. He hadn't won a conference title in a decade. The program had plateaued under his leadership.

And, ultimately, it's a simple fact that Penn State is the 7th winningest program and Georgia the 9th winningest program in college football history. And, despite that, both schools gave the respective coaches over a decade each to build programs and win championships.

South Carolina is the 54th winningest program in college football history. A "championship or bust" standard is irrational and unreasonable. Otherwise you're advocating for a fire and hire strategy every couple years.

If this season continues on the current trajectory, though, Beamer's seat should be warm going into 2026.

Thank you.

It’s difficult to post on here without being sarcastic. The guys that make 90 percent of the posts on here are like listening to coal miners critiquing ballroom dancing.

I agree with your points, including the last paragraph, which I would think should be obvious to most without having to actually articulate, but you doing so is appreciated.

 

[will110]

They can say the results are not acceptable, but if you're still going to pay someone millions of dollars after a terrible season in Year 5, the messaging is mixed at best.

I go back to the PSU AD's statement after firing a guy who had won 70% of his games: "We set high expectations and those expectations weren't being met."

And perhaps that decision backfires and Penn State turns into Nebraska. The grass isn't always greener. Firing a coach isn't always the answer. I understand why PSU made the decision, and it really seemed like it was probably time for both parties to move on after 11 seasons (and the reasons I already outlined).

Look at Michigan: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...act-michigan-football-through-2026/3847549001

That decision to bring Harbaugh back after a 2-4 season, including Harbaugh's failure to beat Ohio State in five tries, paid off with huge dividends.

Look at Nebraska. They fired Bo Pelini after a 9-3 season in 2014, even though he'd never won fewer than 9 games in 7 seasons. Nebraska has a grand total of one season since then with 9 wins.

 

[Lurker123]

It’s difficult to post on here without being sarcastic. The guys that make 90 percent of the posts on here are like listening to coal miners critiquing ballroom dancing.

Damn, you whine about this board more than a teenage girl.

 

[Lurker123]

And perhaps that decision backfires and Penn State turns into Nebraska. The grass isn't always greener. Firing a coach isn't always the answer. I understand why PSU made the decision, and it really seemed like it was probably time for both parties to move on after 11 seasons (and the reasons I already outlined).

Look at Michigan: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...act-michigan-football-through-2026/3847549001

That decision to bring Harbaugh back after a 2-4 season, including Harbaugh's failure to beat Ohio State in five tries, paid off with huge dividends.

Look at Nebraska. They fired Bo Pelini after a 9-3 season in 2014, even though he'd never won fewer than 9 games in 7 seasons. Nebraska has a grand total of one season since then with 9 wins.

The Nebraska comparison was the first one I thought of when the announcement was made. The get the logic of letting him go, but Solich will always be in the back of my mind.

Time will tell.

 

[Lurker123]

Great post. If fans stop going to the games, that will send a message.

Remember the "iron fans" years? We filled the stadium while winning 1 game over 2 years.

I see us filling the stadium regardless.

 

[gamecock stock]

If this season continues on the current trajectory, though, Beamer's seat should be warm going into 2026.

I agree with that. But I would add that 2026 will also be a "do or die" season for Beamer. Donati fired Gary Patterson at TCU. One can say that he fired Patterson midway in a 4th consecutive "not so good" season. But Patterson had considerably more goodwill in the bank than Beamer has. Patterson produced 7 Top 10 teams and 1 Top 15 team there. He was recently inducted into the TCU Hall of Fame, And I think they built a statue of him outside their stadium, If things go as they have the rest of this season, I believe his seat will be hotter than "warm".

 

[will110]

I agree with that. But I would add that 2026 will also be a "do or die" season for Beamer. Donati fired Gary Patterson at TCU. One can say that he fired Patterson midway in a 4th consecutive "not so good" season. But Patterson had considerably more goodwill in the bank than Beamer has. Patterson produced 7 Top 10 teams and 1 Top 15 team there. He was recently inducted into the TCU Hall of Fame, And I think they built a statue of him outside their stadium, If things go as they have the rest of this season, I believe his seat will be hotter than "warm".

Yep, definitely agree with this.

 

[gamecock stock]

Remember the "iron fans" years? We filled the stadium while winning 1 game over 2 years.

I see us filling the stadium regardless.

I agree. Unfortunately, our fans are gluttons for punishment.

 

[Lurker123]

Yep, definitely agree with this.

Count me in too.

I dont buy the thought that his seat is at risk this year at all. He could lose every remaining game, and I bet a staff shuffle would be enough to save him.

Next year is the year though.

 

[18IsTheMan]

a staff shuffle would be enough to save him.

This should be a foregone conclusion on offense. Total overhaul there.

Even so, the writing is likely on the wall. IMO, any changes he makes at this point are a stall.

 

[Lurker123]

I should qualify that. Next year is the year if he has a losing season.

He could also win 6 games, even 7. Then I have to wonder just how warm his seat would be next year.

 

[Piscis]

And perhaps that decision backfires and Penn State turns into Nebraska. The grass isn't always greener. Firing a coach isn't always the answer. I understand why PSU made the decision, and it really seemed like it was probably time for both parties to move on after 11 seasons (and the reasons I already outlined).

Look at Michigan: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...act-michigan-football-through-2026/3847549001

That decision to bring Harbaugh back after a 2-4 season, including Harbaugh's failure to beat Ohio State in five tries, paid off with huge dividends.

Look at Nebraska. They fired Bo Pelini after a 9-3 season in 2014, even though he'd never won fewer than 9 games in 7 seasons. Nebraska has a grand total of one season since then with 9 wins.

Harbaugh ended up bringing shame on Michigan football with the sign stealing scandal so I'm not sure he is the best example to use.

 

[Piscis]

Remember the "iron fans" years? We filled the stadium while winning 1 game over 2 years.

I see us filling the stadium regardless.

That "filling the stadium even when the team was losing" thing is a myth. The stadium was never empty or half full but there were a lot of games with large swaths of empty seats in the upper decks. The tv cameras did, and still do, a good job of not showing empty seats.

 

[will110]

Harbaugh ended up bringing shame on Michigan football with the sign stealing scandal so I'm not sure he is the best example to use.

He won a national championship and beat Ohio State. I don't think UM cares about anything else.

 

[Piscis]

This should be a foregone conclusion on offense. Total overhaul there.

Even so, the writing is likely on the wall. IMO, any changes he makes at this point are a stall.

Major staff shakeups rarely result in drastic improvements in the record. In this day of the portal, getting rid of the coaches that recruited players and have worked with them can push players to leave.

I'm not totally sold on Shula being the big problem. The elephant in the room is that the offense is basically Sellers and no one else. Poor OL play kills any team and the OL play has been very bad. Shula can't really call any plays that take time to develop, like long passes or misdirection plays, because the OL can't hold off the D long enough for the play to develop. Sellers has to get rid of the ball quickly for a play to have any chance at all.

I don't see the OL getting markedly better next season.

 

[SouthernBelly]

Great post. If fans stop going to the games, that will send a message.

If you have to go, please take a paper bag to cover your face. That might send a message too. The better route is to stay home with your ticket. If not, get used to mediocre results under nepo baby Beamer.

They’ve already got the season ticket money for this year. Would take a season of a large decline in sales. The admin doesn’t have to care about people not going as long as they have already bought the seats. Unless they relying on concessions money.

 

[SouthernBelly]

I see a big difference between the Richt/Franklin situations and Beamer, primarily in their times at each school. It's not "accepting mediocrity."

It was clear that Franklin wasn't getting over the hump. He'd been at Penn State 11 years and almost never won a big game. His record against top 10 opponents was abysmal. Franklin had lost the fan base. It's been a tenuous relationship with Franklin and Penn State at best for several years now. He could point to always winning the games he was supposed to win until the past couple weeks. That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Richt, though a good man and coach, had been at Georgia for 15 years. He hadn't won a conference title in a decade. The program had plateaued under his leadership.

And, ultimately, it's a simple fact that Penn State is the 7th winningest program and Georgia the 9th winningest program in college football history. And, despite that, both schools gave the respective coaches over a decade each to build programs and win championships.

South Carolina is the 54th winningest program in college football history. A "championship or bust" standard is irrational and unreasonable. Otherwise you're advocating for a fire and hire strategy every couple years.

If this season continues on the current trajectory, though, Beamer's seat should be warm going into 2026.

54th? Honestly better than I would have thought.

 

[Piscis]

They’ve already got the season ticket money for this year. Would take a season of a large decline in sales. The admin doesn’t have to care about people not going as long as they have already bought the seats. Unless they relying on concessions money.

Empty seats and no shows send a strong message. The admin knows that people who don't go to games they have paid for aren't likely to buy tickets the next season.

 

[SouthernBelly]

Count me in too.

I dont buy the thought that his seat is at risk this year at all. He could lose every remaining game, and I bet a staff shuffle would be enough to save him.

Next year is the year though.

He’s back in 2026 barring some off field issues. Won’t even have to shuffle the staff.

 

[SouthernBelly]

Empty seats and no shows send a strong message. The admin knows that people who don't go to games they have paid for aren't likely to buy tickets the next season.

I would think that would be the case but that interjects logic. In regards to athletics the BoT is against such. And many are placing some hope in the new AD. But he’s got to be approved by the BoT correct? So he’s guilty until proven innocent.