Matt Campbell

PSUForever

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Feb 17, 2007
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Is he in the mix? He has done well at Iowa State. He would be available by December.

He is an Ohio native and his coaching background prior Iowa State is at Bowling Green and Toledo as an OL coach.

I think he would bring that blue collar physicality we have not had under Franklin but am not sure how innovative of an offensive mind he is or developer of QBs. Also not sure how well he can recruit or knows our key recruiting areas.

I would think he would be interested but maybe he likes it in Ames and wants to stay there. He will be 46 next month so certainly young enough.
 

LMTLION

Senior
Mar 20, 2008
532
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Is he in the mix? He has done well at Iowa State. He would be available by December.

He is an Ohio native and his coaching background prior Iowa State is at Bowling Green and Toledo as an OL coach.

I think he would bring that blue collar physicality we have not had under Franklin but am not sure how innovative of an offensive mind he is or developer of QBs. Also not sure how well he can recruit or knows our key recruiting areas.

I would think he would be interested but maybe he likes it in Ames and wants to stay there. He will be 46 next month so certainly young enough.
I believe he is our best candidate at this point in terms of not needing training wheels as a new headcoach, a history of doing more with a lot less than those most programs in p4, being available in December, and having a track record of developing qbs and offense.
 
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Moogy

All-Conference
Jul 28, 2017
3,140
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Campbell just signed a long-term extension with Iowa St.

I'm guessing he's happy being looked at as a winner, posting mostly 7-9 win seasons in the crappy Big 12.

Why would he want to come here, where, even if he was able to equal his past performance, switching to a tougher Big 10 slate, it would get him eviscerated by the fans who deserve more (just ask them)?
 

cjrugger

All-Conference
Dec 13, 2017
2,488
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Sounds like he's definitely in the mix. If the guys we really want aren't an option, he's probably the best choice. He's still only 45. 'Who is your OC going to be' would be a really important question for him
 
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Texas Lion

Sophomore
Aug 10, 2018
75
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Campbell has been linked to so many things over the past years that you almost think he mat have missed his time to move on.
 

PSU4U

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Aug 6, 2019
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Is he in the mix? He has done well at Iowa State. He would be available by December.

He is an Ohio native and his coaching background prior Iowa State is at Bowling Green and Toledo as an OL coach.

I think he would bring that blue collar physicality we have not had under Franklin but am not sure how innovative of an offensive mind he is or developer of QBs. Also not sure how well he can recruit or knows our key recruiting areas.

I would think he would be interested but maybe he likes it in Ames and wants to stay there. He will be 46 next month so certainly young enough.
I would hope so especially when you consider the timing of the firing of Franklin. Kraft did so to get out front of the rush of HC openings that is currently happening in college football. IMO (not just my opinion) Kraft wants to get this done so the 26 class gets salvaged and keeping the current players onboard making a quick turnaround easier for the next HC. I think the hire is done by or before Thanksgiving which in my mind really narrows the field of coaches on Krafts list.

All the top guys as fan favorites are off the board at this point coincidentally all those coaches are coaching at their alma mater which I find insanely coincidental.

The thing that bothers me about Kraft ALL of his hires at PS to date have all been previous Pat Kraft people or people he's had close relationships with through the years. The possible hiring of Matt Rhule scares the crap out of me. We do not need a Franklin 2.0

There is a faction at PS who want a PS man this time around. Not saying it will be but those most likely are Rhule Golden Schiano or D' Anton Lynn.

Hopefully Kraft gets a splash hire because I think it's absolutely needed.
 
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SRURock24

Sophomore
Jul 25, 2017
229
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I would hope so especially when you consider the timing of the firing of Franklin. Kraft did so to get out front of the rush of HC openings that is currently happening in college football. IMO (not just my opinion) Kraft wants to get this done so the 26 class gets salvaged and keeping the current players onboard making a quick turnaround easier for the next HC. I think the hire is done by or before Thanksgiving which in my mind really narrows the field of coaches on Krafts list.

All the top guys as fan favorites are off the board at this point coincidentally all those coaches are coaching at their alma mater which I find insanely coincidental.

The thing that bothers me about Kraft ALL of his hires at PS to date have all been previous Pat Kraft people or people he's had close relationships with through the years. The possible hiring of Matt Rhule scares the crap out of me. We do not need a Franklin 2.0

There is a faction at PS who want a PS man this time around. Not saying it will be but those most likely are Rhule Golden Schiano or D' Anton Lynn.

Hopefully Kraft gets a splash hire because I think it's absolutely needed.
Well if the number one criteria is a Penn State man this will most likely fail. Cant’t live in the past.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
8,271
11,289
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I like Drink.....I also like to Drink.

Campbell would also be good hire, perhaps Pat Fitzgerald....... tough guys, tough teams.
Why does Pat Fitzgerald keep coming up in here? He was a mediocre coach at best, that has a scandal tied to his name (rightly or wrongly). In his last 24 games at NW, he went 4-20? So, we would be happy going 4-20 as long as the team “looks tough”? C’mon.
 

BUFFALO LION

All-Conference
Oct 4, 2001
708
1,060
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Is he in the mix? He has done well at Iowa State. He would be available by December.

He is an Ohio native and his coaching background prior Iowa State is at Bowling Green and Toledo as an OL coach.

I think he would bring that blue collar physicality we have not had under Franklin but am not sure how innovative of an offensive mind he is or developer of QBs. Also not sure how well he can recruit or knows our key recruiting areas.

I would think he would be interested but maybe he likes it in Ames and wants to stay there. He will be 46 next month so certainly young enough.

My question with Campbell is, why the heck would he come here when Kraft subliminally screamed that his leash for a National Championship would probably be 3 years or less?? He’s in a great situation right now. Kraft‘s idiotic mid-season firing of Franklin after 3 close losses has turned the National narrative of the Penn State job into a dumpster fire.

Campbell’s revenue distribution philosophy to players sounds more in line with Franklin’s than Kraft’s as he has a “team first” distribution philosophy. He’s beaten Iowa 3 out of the last 4 years which makes him a king. The money doesn’t seem like that big a deal for him as on his recent extension, he voluntarily reduced his annual salary by $1 million dollars so as to increase the salaries to his assistant coaches.

He’d be nuts to come here, and he doesn’t strike me as nuts.
 
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Midnighter

Heisman
Jan 22, 2021
11,004
17,706
113
Why does Pat Fitzgerald keep coming up in here? He was a mediocre coach at best, that has a scandal tied to his name (rightly or wrongly). In his last 24 games at NW, he went 4-20? So, we would be happy going 4-20 as long as the team “looks tough”? C’mon.

It's bizarre. Fitz had his dream gig and blew it.
 
Jun 14, 2020
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Kraft overplayed his hand. This is the worst year for a high level program to be looking for coaches. Florida, possibly LSU, Auburn, Florida State and Wisconsin all are or likely seeking new head coaches. Not to mention UCLA, VT and others.... So it is going to trigger alot of movement. Also, now with the 12 team playoff, alot of the most desirable coaches will be coaching in the playoffs which could take these hirings from early December into January. There will be the domino effect, and because of all of the movement and openings, prices are going to be high. Next year PSU loses 16 of 22 starters to grad/NFL, some more from the two deep, so it was going to be a tough year (8-4) transition year, even with activity in the portal. And in addition, because of all of those opening there is going to be so much portal movement, it is going to drive up NIL prices.

Timing for this really sucked. Where JF effed up, should have dumped the OC, hire a more QB centric and stay out of his way. Also, there were no problems with the defense last year that really wouldn't have been resolved by another year experience. Everytime you change something, it adds a variable, a level of unknown. I get going "all in" this year, but the wrong coordinator was changed. Because let's face it, the offense looked completely listless against the OOC schedule.
 

NittPicker

Heisman
Jun 30, 2001
5,218
10,612
113
Campbell just signed a long-term extension with Iowa St.

I'm guessing he's happy being looked at as a winner, posting mostly 7-9 win seasons in the crappy Big 12.

Why would he want to come here, where, even if he was able to equal his past performance, switching to a tougher Big 10 slate, it would get him eviscerated by the fans who deserve more (just ask them)?
I have no idea how much interest Penn State has in Matt Campbell or vice versa. However, the extension wouldn't be an issue since the reported buyout is a paltry $2 million if he goes to another P4 school. He's certainly had opportunities to move on but maybe he's waiting for a great situation. PSU could be the situation he's looking for. Or not.....
 

PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,381
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Well if the number one criteria is a Penn State man this will most likely fail. Cant’t live in the past.
I didn't say it was a number one priority/criteria all I'm saying is there is a group who wants a PS man. I have no idea if they get their wish but it is widely accepted how Kraft feels about Rhule. However, Kraft is riding a razors edge on this hire and after his press conference and all the things he intimated he cannot afford to get this wrong or imo it will be his undoing.
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
1,606
1,769
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I would hope so especially when you consider the timing of the firing of Franklin. Kraft did so to get out front of the rush of HC openings that is currently happening in college football. IMO (not just my opinion) Kraft wants to get this done so the 26 class gets salvaged and keeping the current players onboard making a quick turnaround easier for the next HC. I think the hire is done by or before Thanksgiving which in my mind really narrows the field of coaches on Krafts list.

All the top guys as fan favorites are off the board at this point coincidentally all those coaches are coaching at their alma mater which I find insanely coincidental.

The thing that bothers me about Kraft ALL of his hires at PS to date have all been previous Pat Kraft people or people he's had close relationships with through the years. The possible hiring of Matt Rhule scares the crap out of me. We do not need a Franklin 2.0

There is a faction at PS who want a PS man this time around. Not saying it will be but those most likely are Rhule Golden Schiano or D' Anton Lynn.

Hopefully Kraft gets a splash hire because I think it's absolutely needed.
Also concerned about Kraft's hiring record - underwhelming.
 
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dcf4psu

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2003
884
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93
Joe Brady is a name I've seen a couple of times the last two days with a Pegula connection being mentioned.
 

Lion84

Senior
Oct 7, 2021
527
747
93
Campbell just signed a long-term extension with Iowa St.

I'm guessing he's happy being looked at as a winner, posting mostly 7-9 win seasons in the crappy Big 12.

Why would he want to come here, where, even if he was able to equal his past performance, switching to a tougher Big 10 slate, it would get him eviscerated by the fans who deserve more (just ask them)?
You and Marshall should get a room.
 
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cjrugger

All-Conference
Dec 13, 2017
2,488
4,994
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Campbell just signed a long-term extension with Iowa St.

I'm guessing he's happy being looked at as a winner, posting mostly 7-9 win seasons in the crappy Big 12.

Why would he want to come here, where, even if he was able to equal his past performance, switching to a tougher Big 10 slate, it would get him eviscerated by the fans who deserve more (just ask them)?
Because these guys aren’t wired like most of the middle managers that post here
 
Jun 14, 2020
8,888
11,043
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Who's the most powerful man in college FB? More powerful than network TV or shoe companies? Jimmy Sexton. He makes Scott Boras look amateur in comparison. How is this good for college FB if not anti trust violations. He is the puppet master pulling the strings and this dude this offseason is going make millions upon millions. A list of his coaches former and current.

Nick Saban (retired)
Lane Kiffin
Mike Norvell, Florida State
Dino Babers, Syracuse (fired)
Lance Taylor, Western Michigan
Mike MacIntyre, Florida International
Charles Huff, Marshall
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M (fired)
Billy Napier, Florida (now fired)
Sam Pittman, Arkansas (now fired)
Chip Kelly, UCLA fired
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Gus Malzahn,
Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
Mike Locksley, Maryland
Hugh Freeze, Auburn
James Franklin, Penn State (now fired)
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Blake Anderson, Utah State
Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky
Clay Helton, Georgia Southern
Dan Lanning Oregon
 

Player2BNamedL8r

All-Conference
Jan 3, 2012
876
1,828
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Kraft overplayed his hand. This is the worst year for a high level program to be looking for coaches. Florida, possibly LSU, Auburn, Florida State and Wisconsin all are or likely seeking new head coaches. Not to mention UCLA, VT and others.... So it is going to trigger alot of movement. Also, now with the 12 team playoff, alot of the most desirable coaches will be coaching in the playoffs which could take these hirings from early December into January. There will be the domino effect, and because of all of the movement and openings, prices are going to be high. Next year PSU loses 16 of 22 starters to grad/NFL, some more from the two deep, so it was going to be a tough year (8-4) transition year, even with activity in the portal. And in addition, because of all of those opening there is going to be so much portal movement, it is going to drive up NIL prices.

Timing for this really sucked. Where JF effed up, should have dumped the OC, hire a more QB centric and stay out of his way. Also, there were no problems with the defense last year that really wouldn't have been resolved by another year experience. Everytime you change something, it adds a variable, a level of unknown. I get going "all in" this year, but the wrong coordinator was changed. Because let's face it, the offense looked completely listless against the OOC schedule.
Time will tell if he overplayed his hand. Of all the jobs you mentioned, there is a legitimate argument that PSU is the cream of the crop. Which of those programs has been consistently sniffing around the top 10 for the better part of the past decade like PSU? Maybe LSU (serged and won it all with Burrow), but they haven’t been as consistently good as we have.
 

Achowalogan

Senior
Dec 12, 2014
364
735
93
Who's the most powerful man in college FB? More powerful than network TV or shoe companies? Jimmy Sexton. He makes Scott Boras look amateur in comparison. How is this good for college FB if not anti trust violations. He is the puppet master pulling the strings and this dude this offseason is going make millions upon millions. A list of his coaches former and current.

Nick Saban (retired)
Lane Kiffin
Mike Norvell, Florida State
Dino Babers, Syracuse (fired)
Lance Taylor, Western Michigan
Mike MacIntyre, Florida International
Charles Huff, Marshall
Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M (fired)
Billy Napier, Florida (now fired)
Sam Pittman, Arkansas (now fired)
Chip Kelly, UCLA fired
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Gus Malzahn,
Shane Beamer, South Carolina
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri
Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
Mike Locksley, Maryland
Hugh Freeze, Auburn
James Franklin, Penn State (now fired)
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Blake Anderson, Utah State
Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky
Clay Helton, Georgia Southern
Dan Lanning Oregon
Agent
 

WestSideLion

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
4,424
4,861
113
Kraft overplayed his hand. This is the worst year for a high level program to be looking for coaches. Florida, possibly LSU, Auburn, Florida State and Wisconsin all are or likely seeking new head coaches. Not to mention UCLA, VT and others.... So it is going to trigger alot of movement. Also, now with the 12 team playoff, alot of the most desirable coaches will be coaching in the playoffs which could take these hirings from early December into January. There will be the domino effect, and because of all of the movement and openings, prices are going to be high. Next year PSU loses 16 of 22 starters to grad/NFL, some more from the two deep, so it was going to be a tough year (8-4) transition year, even with activity in the portal. And in addition, because of all of those opening there is going to be so much portal movement, it is going to drive up NIL prices.

Timing for this really sucked. Where JF effed up, should have dumped the OC, hire a more QB centric and stay out of his way. Also, there were no problems with the defense last year that really wouldn't have been resolved by another year experience. Everytime you change something, it adds a variable, a level of unknown. I get going "all in" this year, but the wrong coordinator was changed. Because let's face it, the offense looked completely listless against the OOC schedule.
It’s plausible that Kraft had an axe to grind with Franklin and fired him at the earliest opportunity.

The 3-week timeframe is not remotely close to PSU’s historic playbook. And you raise a good point that what seems to have been knee jerk (contrary to what was claimed) now seems like it may blow up on PSU.

We’ll learn a lot about Kraft here.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
711
1,420
93
It’s plausible that Kraft had an axe to grind with Franklin and fired him at the earliest opportunity.

The 3-week timeframe is not remotely close to PSU’s historic playbook. And you raise a good point that what seems to have been knee jerk (contrary to what was claimed) now seems like it may blow up on PSU.

We’ll learn a lot about Kraft here.
Surely looks like it. The only thing that makes sense to me is that the fan base forced him to pull the trigger. It was unsustainable for recruits, players and coaches to go into Beaver Stadium and be consistently summarily booed.

The issue now is what will be left of your roster for the next coach to work with. If you are looking at recruits for 26 they are all moving on, largely because James was a players coach and because their position coaches are in limbo. Add to that that the writing is on the wall for both coordinators and recruits are rightfully concerned about their future. Oh, yes, add to that that you will be losing 16 of 22 starters to graduation and/or NFL and you can see what a miscalculation this may be.

In my opinion, this was an ill-timed decision even if warranted.
 
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PSUForever

Senior
Feb 17, 2007
658
589
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Surely looks like it. The only thing that makes sense to me is that the fan base forced him to pull the trigger. It was unsustainable for recruits, players and coaches to go into Beaver Stadium and be consistently summarily booed.

The issue now is what will be left of your roster for the next coach to work with. If you are looking at recruits for 26 they are all moving on, largely because James was a players coach and because their position coaches are in limbo. Add to that that the writing is on the wall for both coordinators and recruits are rightfully concerned about their future. Oh, yes, add to that that you will be losing 16 of 22 starters to graduation and/or NFL and you can see what a miscalculation this may be.

In my opinion, this was an ill-timed decision even if warranted.
16 of 22 starters on a 3-9 to 4-8 team. I will gladly get rid of this dead weight....looking at you, Durant, DDS, Deluca, Harris, Allar, Singleton, Dinkins, Shelton, Allar and whomever I missed. Oh and I hope the door does not hit AK and Knowles and Trautwein and Hagans and all the other useless coaches sans Smith and possibly Poindexter as they exit stage left.

James the players coach who averages a stellar #13 in recruiting classes. So overrated as a HS recruiter. We will he fine. Perhaps a rebuild of a year but even at that I think we can go 8-4 or even 9-3. Have you seen our cupcake schedule?

The thing I find amazing are all these Franklin fanboys that are irate Jimmy was canned even though he couldn't win a big game if his life depended on it. They were happy being OSU's bixxx every year and I do mean every freaking year. Now the new guy comes in and God forbid he goes say 8-4 with a depleted roster and needing to rebuild and these same fan boys will be up in arms bitxx up a storm "I told you Jimmy was better". They sit there and would wait forever for Big Game James to lose, lose, lose, wait for it......lose lose again to OSU but will want to can the new guy if he goes 8-4 in his first year despite them predicting the first year will be a rebuild.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
8,271
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16 of 22 starters on a 3-9 to 4-8 team. I will gladly get rid of this dead weight....looking at you, Durant, DDS, Deluca, Harris, Allar, Singleton, Dinkins, Shelton, Allar and whomever I missed. Oh and I hope the door does not hit AK and Knowles and Trautwein and Hagans and all the other useless coaches sans Smith and possibly Poindexter as they exit stage left.

James the players coach who averages a stellar #13 in recruiting classes. So overrated as a HS recruiter. We will he fine. Perhaps a rebuild of a year but even at that I think we can go 8-4 or even 9-3. Have you seen our cupcake schedule?

The thing I find amazing are all these Franklin fanboys that are irate Jimmy was canned even though he couldn't win a big game if his life depended on it. They were happy being OSU's bixxx every year and I do mean every freaking year. Now the new guy comes in and God forbid he goes say 8-4 with a depleted roster and needing to rebuild and these same fan boys will be up in arms bitxx up a storm "I told you Jimmy was better". They sit there and would wait forever for Big Game James to lose, lose, lose, wait for it......lose lose again to OSU but will want to can the new guy if he goes 8-4 despite them predicting it.
Do you feel better now? Are you a large donor and feel betrayed or are you just angry in general? Because if you’re the latter, you may want to take a break from Penn State football for awhile because it’s only going to get worse before it gets better, especially if Rhule is the next HC.
 
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PSUForever

Senior
Feb 17, 2007
658
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Do you feel better now? Are you a large donor and feel betrayed or are you just angry in general? Because if you’re the latter, you may want to take a break from Penn State football for awhile because it’s only going to get worse before it gets better, especially if Rhule is the next HC.
No, not buying that. We will be fine. We can go 9-3 next season or 8-4. Look at the schedule! The doomsday, sky is falling is ridiculous and are the passive aggressive arguments from those who are mad because Jimmy got canned. Rhule is not my choice but is better than Jimmy. I don't think it is Rhule.
 

LMTLION

Senior
Mar 20, 2008
532
896
92
No, not buying that. We will be fine. We can go 9-3 next season or 8-4. Look at the schedule! The doomsday, sky is falling is ridiculous and are the passive aggressive arguments from those who are mad because Jimmy got canned. Rhule is not my choice but is better than Jimmy. I don't think it is Rhule.
I fully supported firing James, but there’s no way in hell that Rhule is a better candidate.
 

JVP_Yahweh

Senior
Nov 29, 2004
4,982
464
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Most of the recruits will look at other options and many may leave given the timing. But a few will stick just because they don't really want to go through the process all over again and they are thinking about life after football which PSU does better than anyone else. Rhule can be successful here but he's not the next Meyer or Saban
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
8,271
11,289
113
No, not buying that. We will be fine. We can go 9-3 next season or 8-4. Look at the schedule! The doomsday, sky is falling is ridiculous and are the passive aggressive arguments from those who are mad because Jimmy got canned. Rhule is not my choice but is better than Jimmy. I don't think it is Rhule.
Rhule is not better than Franklin. Watch Nebraska play. Mediocre at best. They just got manhandled on both sides of the ball by…Minnesota.

I thought the goal here was to get a better coach than Franklin and do better than 9-3 or 8-4 and win the big games?
 
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