New coach

[84lion]

Cignetti is not an option. People need to get over this. Indiana took a risk to bring in a coach from JMU and it hit. Trying to capitalize on someone else's gamble is somewhat lazy. Penn State needs to go out and look for someone analogous. Chesney may be that guy

So, was Alabama "lazy" when they hired Saban, who won an NC at LSU, or were they risk takers because Saban bombed at Miami?

As to LMTLION's long screed, in this day and age, nobody should be considered out of bounds. I think I saw that Rhule's buyout was only $15 million even after the extension. He could still be Penn State's HC if Kraft (or others) want him badly enough.

Kraft can be as lazy as he wants IMO if he gets that "home run" hire. Kraft can put his energies into fundraising to cover the buyout!

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

Valid questions--based on what is being said:

His wife doesn't like Texas and wasn't thrilled leaving Duke to go to A&M

He sees the Big Ten as easier to navigate and Penn State as a program that should/could be in the playoff yearly

The SEC going to 9 conference games just made his life way more difficult--having to play Texas, LSU and (I think) Mizzou yearly was arguably the worst draw of any SEC team. Next year he has to play those 3 plus Bama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma. They also play ASU in a non-conference game. Compare that to our schedule

Elko apparently never saw A&M as a destination job--just a better opportunity to showcase what he was capable of accomplishing.

I would think it'd take $14-15mm a year to get Elko. Would PSU be able to offer that because TaM definitely does.

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

So, was Alabama "lazy" when they hired Saban, who won an NC at LSU, or were they risk takers because Saban bombed at Miami?

As to LMTLION's long screed, in this day and age, nobody should be considered out of bounds. I think I saw that Rhule's buyout was only $15 million even after the extension. He could still be Penn State's HC if Kraft (or others) want him badly enough.

Kraft can be as lazy as he wants IMO if he gets that "home run" hire. Kraft can put his energies into fundraising to cover the buyout!

Has it been confirmed that PSU only has to pay Franklin the difference in salaries if he gets a new job? And if he goes to the Dolphins, pretty sure his salary would exceed what he was making at PSU.

 

[KingLando]

I would think it'd take $14-15mm a year to get Elko. Would PSU be able to offer that because TaM definitely does.

We're allegedly prepared to pay "more than Smart" is making this year
I believe he's making 13 so--yeah, we're probably going to rely on Pegula and offer that.
Personally, and maybe I'm insane--but if I'm Elko I'd leave some money on the table.

 

[KingLando]

Has it been confirmed that PSU only has to pay Franklin the difference in salaries if he gets a new job? And if he goes to the Dolphins, pretty sure his salary would exceed what he was making at PSU.

That still seems like fan fiction--nothing presented indicates that true but we'd need the contract to know for sure.

 

[Nits74]

Unfortunately Brian Kelly is very much in the mix to replace Franklin

Agree. That's all we need now. A coach who publicly throws his players under the bus.

 

[Navion N8865H]

Valid questions--based on what is being said:

His wife doesn't like Texas and wasn't thrilled leaving Duke to go to A&M

He sees the Big Ten as easier to navigate and Penn State as a program that should/could be in the playoff yearly

The SEC going to 9 conference games just made his life way more difficult--having to play Texas, LSU and (I think) Mizzou yearly was arguably the worst draw of any SEC team. Next year he has to play those 3 plus Bama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma. They also play ASU in a non-conference game. Compare that to our schedule

Elko apparently never saw A&M as a destination job--just a better opportunity to showcase what he was capable of accomplishing.

Ok, thanks for posting that.

 

[PSU4U]

Manny Diaz interviewed well today by beating Clemson on the road.

A dark horse/fall back coach keeps hanging around. If things don't go well with other interviewers, you never know.

 

[PSU4U]

The only thing that keeps Louisiana from being the worst hellhole in the country is Mississippi. PA certainly isn't at the top of the heap by any means but compared to those places it looks pretty good.

There is always someone worse but to be worse than Mississippi you would have to look outside the country. However, it seems parts Californication are trying to compete.

 

[PSUSignore]

You really think in Rhules contract there’s not an out for PSU??

Rumor was that at Baylor his contract was structured that way but I'd be surprised if that's the case right now considering he signed this latest contract while the PSU job was actively open. Nebraska would have to have been incredibly stupid to allow that to happen, it would be an obvious $15M mistake.

 

[PSUSignore]

Army’s deep game is more of a threat than PSUs.

Don't give Kotelnicki any more gimmick ideas.

 

[PSUSignore]

Miami fans are asking to hire Franklin ...yeesh

Good. I'd rather he go there than VT. He's a good recruiter so him going outside of our traditional recruiting area is good for us. Also the more suitors he has the more money he's likely to make, and anything over 8.5M means PSU owes nothing for the buyout. With all of the jobs opening up I expect he'll get 8.5+ easily.

 

[WSTLion87]

A dark horse/fall back coach keeps hanging around. If things don't go well with other interviewers, you never know.

Just was told from someone that Manny bailed on Kraft after being hired at Temple. Kraft does not appear to be a forgive and forget type of guy.

 

[Ludd]

Valid questions--based on what is being said:

His wife doesn't like Texas and wasn't thrilled leaving Duke to go to A&M

He sees the Big Ten as easier to navigate and Penn State as a program that should/could be in the playoff yearly

The SEC going to 9 conference games just made his life way more difficult--having to play Texas, LSU and (I think) Mizzou yearly was arguably the worst draw of any SEC team. Next year he has to play those 3 plus Bama, South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma. They also play ASU in a non-conference game. Compare that to our schedule

Elko apparently never saw A&M as a destination job--just a better opportunity to showcase what he was capable of accomplishing.

You mean our schedule where we have to play three of the five best teams in the country? Yeah, that’s a walk in the park compared to playing Texas, LSU and Missouri.

 

[PSUSignore]

I’m not sure that all of the board have stayed up-to-date on available head coaches. I’m also convinced that many don’t understand the realities of who is actually available beyond that. Cignetti, Rhule and Lashlee (SMU) are all off the board due to recent contract extensions with extreme prohibitive buyouts. Saban trashed us on gameday and Meyer stated he is not coming out of retirement while simultaneously endorsing Hartline, so eliminate them as well. Neither Saban or Meyer is a viable candidate anyway, as quite frankly, there’s no real evidence above a hope and prayer that either one would be successful in this era. Look at Dabo, another successful coach from the era, and he is unable to succeed in this one. Beyond those five, I would eliminate head coaches that are likely in contention for the college football playoff. We can’t wait until January. There’s no practical way for a school to build a roster after the season, concludes, including the full portal season and December high school signing period. That eliminates fantasies of Elko and Kiffin, who we wouldn’t be able to afford anyway in a bidding war with their current schools. There’s a fantasy regarding DeBoer as well. He has a highly punitive buyout in the next couple years. He is off the board. What we are left with are established hc’s like Campbell, Drink, and Diaz, newer promising hc’s like Key, Sumrall, Golesh, Lea, or Chesney, or coordinators like Brady (that one may be a fantasy as well) or Hartline. One of those guys in that remaining list will be our next head coach, unless there’s something completely out of left field who was not considered by anybody to date.

What coaches say and do publicly doesn't mean a thing when it comes to them looking for jobs. Hell, Rhule left for the Panthers 4 months after signing a contract with Baylor. Urban saying no in public may or may not mean he wants to come back to coaching. These guys give coachspeak answers in public as to not tip their hands, the real discussions all happen behind closed doors. Do I expect Cig, Rhule, Saban or Urban? No, but not because of things they've said publicly.

 

[LB99]

Just was told from someone that Manny bailed on Kraft after being hired at Temple. Kraft does not appear to be a forgive and forget type of guy.

Anybody would bail on Temple.

 

[PSU4U]

Just was told from someone that Manny bailed on Kraft after being hired at Temple. Kraft does not appear to be a forgive and forget type of guy.

True on both counts.

 

[PSUSignore]

Unfortunately Brian Kelly is very much in the mix to replace Franklin

What a disaster that would be. I don't want him anywhere near PSU.

 

[PSUSignore]

I would think it'd take $14-15mm a year to get Elko. Would PSU be able to offer that because TaM definitely does.

Based on rumors I've read I think we'd be prepared to pay that, no problem.

 

[LB99]

What coaches say and do publicly doesn't mean a thing when it comes to them looking for jobs. Hell, Rhule left for the Panthers 4 months after signing a contract with Baylor. Urban saying no in public may or may not mean he wants to come back to coaching. These guys give coachspeak answers in public as to not tip their hands, the real discussions all happen behind closed doors. Do I expect Cig, Rhule, Saban or Urban? No, but not because of things they've said publicly.

Agree. Urban yesterday on pregame ranked the open jobs as most desirable 1) UF 2) LSU 3) PSU. He noted declining population in PSU’s footprint and getting less players from Pittsburgh, Philly, and NJ. I actually took that as coachspeak and him leaving the door open. Urban recruited nationally. He doesn’t stay within a recruiting footprint. That felt like a diversion and an excuse to me to get attention off of the rumors to PSU.

 

[PSUSignore]

Just was told from someone that Manny bailed on Kraft after being hired at Temple. Kraft does not appear to be a forgive and forget type of guy.

If true Kraft is not fit to make this decision. Not because of the Manny situation specifically, but Kraft needs to learn to not hold a grudge against employees that leave him to take a better job for themselves and their career goals. If you lead an organization that's not at the top of your industry, people are going to jump to better organizations when given the opportunity. That's not a reason to hate on Manny at all, get over it. Kraft would do the same thing.

 

[Mufasa94]

This article popped up on my screen. No idea how accurate, but thought others might find it interesting:

Major College Football Program Reportedly Turns Down Urban Meyer for Head Coaching Job

Urban Meyer had his eyes on a college football return.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[s1uggo72]

Unfortunately Brian Kelly is very much in the mix to replace Franklin

No he’s not

 

[Corner Room Breakfast]

Please no more OSU retreads, it's a different operation with elite personnel, Hartline won't
be able to poach RD's staff either. and the 5*'s will still go to OSU.

Vandy's coach Lea reminds me of someone ? lost to Alabama & Texas. sound familiar. I
have mixed opinions on Drinkwitz, just not sure.

Louisville's Brohm and GA Tech's Key have an easier route to the playoffs,and they are
at their Alma Mater.

Two common sense hires are Manny who can hold some of the team together, spent two
years here and is likeable. The other is Bob Chesney he can win and with the help of PK
bring in a staff and recruits that most Big 10 teams know anything about.

Most important cannot waste time on a coach in the run for the playoffs, Elko, DeBoer.

 

[s1uggo72]

Rumor was that at Baylor his contract was structured that way but I'd be surprised if that's the case right now considering he signed this latest contract while the PSU job was actively open. Nebraska would have to have been incredibly stupid to allow that to happen, it would be an obvious $15M mistake.

Not really. Maybe that’s what it took to get him to sign

 

[KingLando]

No he’s not

Yes, unfortunately, he is

 

[KingLando]

Please no more OSU retreads, it's a different operation with elite personnel, Hartline won't
be able to poach RD's staff either. and the 5*'s will still go to OSU.

Vandy's coach Lea reminds me of someone ? lost to Alabama & Texas. sound familiar. I
have mixed opinions on Drinkwitz, just not sure.

Louisville's Brohm and GA Tech's Key have an easier route to the playoffs,and they are
at their Alma Mater.

Two common sense hires are Manny who can hold some of the team together, spent two
years here and is likeable. The other is Bob Chesney he can win and with the help of PK
bring in a staff and recruits that most Big 10 teams know anything about.

Most important cannot waste time on a coach in the run for the playoffs, Elko, DeBoer.

You don't want Hartline, Lea or Dink but want guys that have accomplished less other than Hartline?

 

[Connorpozlee]

Anybody would bail on Temple.

Including Kraft

 

[WaffleShopper]

I’m not sure that all of the board have stayed up-to-date on available head coaches. I’m also convinced that many don’t understand the realities of who is actually available beyond that. Cignetti, Rhule and Lashlee (SMU) are all off the board due to recent contract extensions with extreme prohibitive buyouts. Saban trashed us on gameday and Meyer stated he is not coming out of retirement while simultaneously endorsing Hartline, so eliminate them as well. Neither Saban or Meyer is a viable candidate anyway, as quite frankly, there’s no real evidence above a hope and prayer that either one would be successful in this era. Look at Dabo, another successful coach from the era, and he is unable to succeed in this one. Beyond those five, I would eliminate head coaches that are likely in contention for the college football playoff. We can’t wait until January. There’s no practical way for a school to build a roster after the season, concludes, including the full portal season and December high school signing period. That eliminates fantasies of Elko and Kiffin, who we wouldn’t be able to afford anyway in a bidding war with their current schools. There’s a fantasy regarding DeBoer as well. He has a highly punitive buyout in the next couple years. He is off the board. What we are left with are established hc’s like Campbell, Drink, and Diaz, newer promising hc’s like Key, Sumrall, Golesh, Lea, or Chesney, or coordinators like Brady (that one may be a fantasy as well) or Hartline. One of those guys in that remaining list will be our next head coach, unless there’s something completely out of left field who was not considered by anybody to date.

Someone on BSD did an interesting statistical analysis on talent vs winning percentage by all head coaches over the past 10 years. The list below (and also at the link provided) shows WET values (Wins Exceeding Talent) for all notable coaches. Not perfectly apples to apples for everybody but still an interesting comparison. The original BSD post is at the link so you can read about how the numbers were calculated. From highest to lowest WET and WET per 12 game average:

• Kirk Ferentz 26.20 2.44
• Nick Saban 19.57 1.99
• Dabo Swinney 17.44 1.53
• Curt Cignetti 16.45 6.37
• Lane Kiffin 15.78 1.84
• Matt Campbell 14.70 1.40
• Kirby Smart 14.69 1.45
• Eli Drinkwitz 13.84 2.18
• Jeff Brohm 11.21 1.33
• Brian Kelly 10.29 1.04
• Lincoln Reilly 8.59 0.95
• Billy Napier 8.01 1.07
• Mike Elko 7.13 1.94
• James Franklin 6.49 0.60
• Bob Chesney 6.05 4.03
• Brent Key 4.37 1.34
• Marcus Freeman 3.57 0.95
• Matt Rhule 0.69 0.09
• Kenny Dillingham -0.13 -0.05
• Manny Diaz -0.22 -0.05
• Alex Golesh -0.61 -0.33
• Sean Lewis -1.48 -0.27
• Clark Lea -2.13 -0.49
• Brent Pry -4.90 -1.51
• Mike Norvell -5.05 -0.96
• Jimbo Fisher -5.07 -0.61
• Scott Frost -9.07 -1.45

If you read the comments, the numbers for Brohm don't include his Western Kentucky years. With those included he moves up to 2nd in WET.

At least from these numbers, Brohm and Campbell stand out as two of the best plausible options although I'm still not sure if Brohm would leave his alma mater.

Link

 

[PSU4U]

Please no more OSU retreads, it's a different operation with elite personnel, Hartline won't
be able to poach RD's staff either. and the 5*'s will still go to OSU.

Vandy's coach Lea reminds me of someone ? lost to Alabama & Texas. sound familiar. I
have mixed opinions on Drinkwitz, just not sure.

Louisville's Brohm and GA Tech's Key have an easier route to the playoffs,and they are
at their Alma Mater.

Two common sense hires are Manny who can hold some of the team together, spent two
years here and is likeable. The other is Bob Chesney he can win and with the help of PK
bring in a staff and recruits that most Big 10 teams know anything about.

Most important cannot waste time on a coach in the run for the playoffs, Elko, DeBoer.

I agree but it does seem that DeBoer is interested. He wouldn't be my pick nor do I believe at least at this time it will be him. He has no connections to the east at all and that's a stickler for me.

 

[Bwifan]

Welp Auburn just canned Hugh Freeze so there is more competition for a HC

 

[BCS PSU]

Welp Auburn just canned Hugh Freeze so there is more competition for a HC

So next week on Game Day, Freeze can be interviewed and Saban can tell him unfair it was. Like I’ve said, this could be a weekly segment on that show, but I don’t think that they’ve had either Napier or Kelly on; it’s been only Franklin and I wonder why.

 

[WaffleShopper]

So next week on Game Day, Freeze can be interviewed and Saban can tell him unfair it was. Like I’ve said, this could be a weekly segment on that show, but I don’t think that they’ve had either Napier or Kelly on; it’s been only Franklin and I wonder why.

I don’t wonder why.

 

[Binder74]

What a disaster that would be. I don't want him anywhere near PSU.

Also, as I recall his departure from ND to LSU was classless.

 

[LMTLION]

Of those that you listed as realistic established HC options, Drink probably has the most upside and he recruits PA already and uses the portal well.

I would be happy with Drink, but I am a little concerned about his record vs ranked opponents. Possibly Franklin v 2.0.

 

[LB99]

I would be happy with Drink, but I am a little concerned about his record vs ranked opponents. Possibly Franklin v 2.0.

Yes, to a certain extent. However, Mizzou hasn’t been a power in football in many years. It’s taken a lot of work to get them back to where he has them. Getting them further is the next hurdle, but it won’t be easy in the SEC.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Cignetti is not an option. People need to get over this. Indiana took a risk to bring in a coach from JMU and it hit. Trying to capitalize on someone else's gamble is somewhat lazy. Penn State needs to go out and look for someone analogous. Chesney may be that guy

I like Chesney for the PSU job. I don't think Drinkwitz, Lea, or Key (supposedly interviewed) are coming north to PSU; especially with all those jobs opening up in the South. Elko would be my first choice but he is an absolute longshot given A&M's success this year.

 

[LMTLION]

Someone on BSD did an interesting statistical analysis on talent vs winning percentage by all head coaches over the past 10 years. The list below (and also at the link provided) shows WET values (Wins Exceeding Talent) for all notable coaches. Not perfectly apples to apples for everybody but still an interesting comparison. The original BSD post is at the link so you can read about how the numbers were calculated. From highest to lowest WET and WET per 12 game average:

• Kirk Ferentz 26.20 2.44
• Nick Saban 19.57 1.99
• Dabo Swinney 17.44 1.53
• Curt Cignetti 16.45 6.37
• Lane Kiffin 15.78 1.84
• Matt Campbell 14.70 1.40
• Kirby Smart 14.69 1.45
• Eli Drinkwitz 13.84 2.18
• Jeff Brohm 11.21 1.33
• Brian Kelly 10.29 1.04
• Lincoln Reilly 8.59 0.95
• Billy Napier 8.01 1.07
• Mike Elko 7.13 1.94
• James Franklin 6.49 0.60
• Bob Chesney 6.05 4.03
• Brent Key 4.37 1.34
• Marcus Freeman 3.57 0.95
• Matt Rhule 0.69 0.09
• Kenny Dillingham -0.13 -0.05
• Manny Diaz -0.22 -0.05
• Alex Golesh -0.61 -0.33
• Sean Lewis -1.48 -0.27
• Clark Lea -2.13 -0.49
• Brent Pry -4.90 -1.51
• Mike Norvell -5.05 -0.96
• Jimbo Fisher -5.07 -0.61
• Scott Frost -9.07 -1.45

If you read the comments, the numbers for Brohm don't include his Western Kentucky years. With those included he moves up to 2nd in WET.

At least from these numbers, Brohm and Campbell stand out as two of the best plausible options although I'm still not sure if Brohm would leave his alma mater.

Link

I know everyone has a price for almost anything but I do not believe he leaves his alma mater.

 

[Chumboshifko1]

Franklin will have his pick of teams. As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. James will be fine and will be successful wherever he goes. He is passionate, personable and his players love him (and why the recruiting classes are emptying out (unlike UF).

 

[DaytonRickster]

Unfortunately Brian Kelly is very much in the mix to replace Franklin

No, no, no!!!