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Nits74

All-Conference
May 14, 2010
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I get that, but everything was already in place. He was filling in just to coach, not building and directing the entire program. Besides, his decisions at the end of that game didn't instill much confidence he has any coaching superpowers.
Understand, but given the team's performance prior to Terry's taking over, I can't agree that "everything was already in place". Let's put it this way. Terry Smith seems to be more qualified to be head coach than Kraft is to be AD. Maybe light years ahead from what I've seen up to this point.
 
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PSUPetch

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Oct 31, 2021
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I get that, but everything was already in place. He was filling in just to coach, not building and directing the entire program. Besides, his decisions at the end of that game didn't instill much confidence he has any coaching superpowers.
What did Terry do that was so glaringly wrong? By running (hoping to pop one), he forced Indiana to use all of their TO's (something that 90% of the coaches would have done) and left it in the hands of the D. Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. If we threw incomplete, or gawd forbid threw an interception, Terry would have been torched by the media/fans. He played %'s like JVP used to... and it bit us.

It's not like we were losing by a score to OSU in the last minute with McSorely at QB and decided to hand it to the TB on 4th and 5.
 

PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
7,063
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What did Terry do that was so glaringly wrong? By running (hoping to pop one), he forced Indiana to use all of their TO's (something that 90% of the coaches would have done) and left it in the hands of the D. Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. If we threw incomplete, or gawd forbid threw an interception, Terry would have been torched by the media/fans. He played %'s like JVP used to... and it bit us.

It's not like we were losing by a score to OSU in the last minute with McSorely at QB and decided to hand it to the TB on 4th and 5.
It probably didn't have anything to do with that one receiver making an absolute out of this world catch.

It could also be argued that the D should never have put themselves in that position.

You could also blame it on the defender shoulder bump tackling instead or hitting the guy and driving through the tackle and the guy would never have come down in bounds.

Enough of the ***** bumping tackles, hit someone wrap them up while driving through them. Any coach caught teaching shoulder bumping for tackling should be fired. Slobberknock someone when you tackle them.
 
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olelion

Senior
Jun 10, 2001
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What did Terry do that was so glaringly wrong? By running (hoping to pop one), he forced Indiana to use all of their TO's (something that 90% of the coaches would have done) and left it in the hands of the D. Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. If we threw incomplete, or gawd forbid threw an interception, Terry would have been torched by the media/fans. He played %'s like JVP used to... and it bit us.

It's not like we were losing by a score to OSU in the last minute with McSorely at QB and decided to hand it to the TB on 4th and 5.
Did you have to bring up that 4th and five against the OSU. I have always put that on Rahne, but maybe I was wrong
 

Ludd

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
3,902
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Why would Kraft hire Smith at this stage of the search? If Kraft really wanted to hire Smith, he could have done so in October and saved the majority of the 2026 class.

So, why would Kraft wait nearly 2 months and sacrifice the 2026 recruiting class to hire Smith?

It does not make logical sense to hire Smith now. It would make Kraft look like a dope. If Kraft was to do so he would be fired immediately for stupidity.
He’s going to have to hire someone at some point. Kraft already looks like a dope, he’s going to look like more of a dope if we go without a coach for days or weeks more and he comes back with some lame candidate who’s the only one who would take the job.
 
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Ludd

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
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I’m not a fan of hiring Terry either, but to not want him because of a decision he made in his third game against the #2 team in the nation is a bit over the top. At this point, unless Kraft has a signed deal with someone, he should hire Terry…Kraft hasn’t shown he can get someone significantly better.
 

KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,441
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So you’re saying Joe would’ve thrown the ball in that Indiana game situation? How long have you been following Penn State football?
Since birth so over 50 years but that's not what I said...Paterno also didn't coach in this era
 

WVilleLion23

All-Conference
Oct 27, 2022
1,540
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I’m not a fan of hiring Terry either, but to not want him because of a decision he made in his third game against the #2 team in the nation is a bit over the top. At this point, unless Kraft has a signed deal with someone, he should hire Terry…Kraft hasn’t shown he can get someone significantly better.
Not sure what is going to make this worst perception wise, hiring Smith (because he swung and missed numerous times) and he could have hired him weeks ago or making a hire (someone not named Terry Smith) that is so bad, everyone knows he was choice #25.

The odds of this turning out well are 0.01%.
 

Ludd

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
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Not sure what is going to make this worst perception wise, hiring Smith (because he swung and missed numerous times) and he could have hired him weeks ago or making a hire (someone not named Terry Smith) that is so bad, everyone knows he was choice #25.

The odds of this turning out well are 0.01%.
True and at least the players would be happy if he hired Terry and that’s about the best we can hope for at this point.
 
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KingLando

All-Conference
Nov 29, 2021
5,441
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Krafty The Clown eminently DESERVES to, and SHOULD, be fired at this point - should have been fired yesterday after the Sitake/Chesney disaster.
What Sitake/Chesney disaster?
You all complain about how the media lied about Paterno but now you believe them regarding a job search. Make it make sense.
 

Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
2,767
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What did Terry do that was so glaringly wrong? By running (hoping to pop one), he forced Indiana to use all of their TO's (something that 90% of the coaches would have done) and left it in the hands of the D. Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. If we threw incomplete, or gawd forbid threw an interception, Terry would have been torched by the media/fans. He played %'s like JVP used to... and it bit us.

It's not like we were losing by a score to OSU in the last minute with McSorely at QB and decided to hand it to the TB on 4th and 5.
The real problem in that game was the defense blowing an 11 or 12 point lead with 8 minutes left in the game. OSU scored the first of its two TDs on a long screen pass and the defense looked like it never saw that type of play before.
 

JoeBagobagels

Senior
Jun 24, 2025
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What did Terry do that was so glaringly wrong? By running (hoping to pop one), he forced Indiana to use all of their TO's (something that 90% of the coaches would have done) and left it in the hands of the D. Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. If we threw incomplete, or gawd forbid threw an interception, Terry would have been torched by the media/fans. He played %'s like JVP used to... and it bit us.

It's not like we were losing by a score to OSU in the last minute with McSorely at QB and decided to hand it to the TB on 4th and 5.
Not to nitpick but if you recall on that drive McSorley threw past the line scrimmage when he easily could've gained the first down running. I believe that would put us in field goal range. People always forget that.
 
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kgilbert78

All-Conference
Apr 9, 2013
982
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So you’re saying Joe would’ve thrown the ball in that Indiana game situation? How long have you been following Penn State football?
I seem to recall that Joe said he wished he'd thrown the ball vs Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on that last series before the 4th down stop.
 
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rigi19040

Senior
Aug 1, 2024
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What did Terry do that was so glaringly wrong? By running (hoping to pop one), he forced Indiana to use all of their TO's (something that 90% of the coaches would have done) and left it in the hands of the D. Unfortunately, this didn't pan out. If we threw incomplete, or gawd forbid threw an interception, Terry would have been torched by the media/fans. He played %'s like JVP used to... and it bit us.

It's not like we were losing by a score to OSU in the last minute with McSorely at QB and decided to hand it to the TB on 4th and 5.
He lost. Remembe you wanted a coach who would win the big game?
 

PSUPetch

Senior
Oct 31, 2021
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I seem to recall that Joe said he wished he'd thrown the ball vs Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on that last series before the 4th down stop.
I would imagine…in retrospect, Terry wishes he threw the ball on that last drive in the Indiana game.
 

PSUPetch

Senior
Oct 31, 2021
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He lost. Remembe you wanted a coach who would win the big game?
How about “occasionally” win a big game…maybe a sample size of 3 games with a new Fr QB isn’t quite the comparison dataset one would want to use. Now…if Terry had 5 years or so, and produced a similar wining percentage against Top 10 teams as BGJ, then we could have a discussion.
 
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rigi19040

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Aug 1, 2024
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How about “occasionally” win a big game…maybe a sample size of 3 games with a new Fr QB isn’t quite the comparison dataset one would want to use. Now…if Terry had 5 years or so, and produced a similar wining percentage against Top 10 teams as BGJ, then we could have a discussion.
You don't have big games if one team is out of contention.

The talent will drop next year. Nobody really cares about a 11-0 team vs a team 6-5. Even if the underdog wins nobody really cares. Is anyone beating down the door to offer narduzzi because they beat Clemson a few years ago?

You pretty much ignored all the variables that don't fit your agenda. Terry smith will need to win the other games at the same level. He will need to recruit at the same level or better. The stands need to full. If he did everything equal and the won a big game you would have a point. No shot he does things equal
 
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OUIrPSU

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2021
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Since birth so over 50 years but that's not what I said...Paterno also didn't coach in this era
Since birth? You’re an interesting poster, Lando, regardless of what some here might say.

Did you go to PSU? Just curious since you post so much.
 

Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
2,767
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Again, I guess we are unreasonable in expecting more than one win in a big game in 12 years. Sorry.
So winning major bowls, OSU and Wisky in the Big Championship game in 2016 and two playoff games aren’t big wins? Looking forward to all those Big and National Championships that are right around the corner.
 

pendal1

Senior
Apr 24, 2003
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So winning major bowls, OSU and Wisky in the Big Championship game in 2016 and two playoff games aren’t big wins? Looking forward to all those Big and National Championships that are right around the corner.
OSU and I guess Wisconsin and that's it. And no the entire college football world agreed we had the easiest path in the playoff or all time. And yes, at Penn State we should expect more than 1-18 against the top of the BIG Ten. If not then we are wasting our time.