New coach

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
1,698
1,886
113
It all depends on which players stay and which go. There are still a lot of good players on this roster, many of whom barely have played and may be better than several starters. Also, many of these players aren’t going to have any better opportunities to see the field at other places than at PSU. Also, because a lot of these players barely have played, they may not have many other options anyway.
See my list I started in this thread.
 

taryn

Redshirt
Nov 1, 2020
60
44
18
He may bring players buried in the depth chart to see if the new start can resurrect their career, as they surely were promising players when recruited, but leaving the OSU two-deep to go to a rebuild is fantasy. That or they are incredibly stupid. Can you just see it? Just think about the drop in NFL valuation that these players have suffered as a result of this colossal clusterf**l this year. If I am Allar, Singleton, DDS, Harris, and many others, I am sitting at home banging my head on the wall thinking "why didnt I leave last year."

He may bring players buried in the depth chart to see if the new start can resurrect their career, as they surely were promising players when recruited, but leaving the OSU two-deep to go to a rebuild is fantasy. That or they are incredibly stupid. Can you just see it? Just think about the drop in NFL valuation that these players have suffered as a result of this colossal clusterf**l this year. If I am Allar, Singleton, DDS, Harris, and many others, I am sitting at home banging my head on the wall thinking "why didnt I leave last year."
how-o-how did I fall for the SNAKE OIL SALES PITCH to buy snow for land fill!!!!!!
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
1,698
1,886
113
I’m not going to fret because a lot of players from a 2026 recruiting class that probably was going to be ranked between 15 and 20 and made up mostly of people who wouldn’t see the field in several seasons have decided to decommit. In the new system, you can make those numbers up very quickly and often with players who are more ready to play immediately. Besides, the loss of the 2026 recruiting class obviously was built into the decision to hire a new coach by people like Kraft.
Would like to bring the two prime rated OLs back into 2026 fold (Brown - PA) & VonBrandt (DE)
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
1,698
1,886
113
Totally agree. I mean, look at a moribund program like Illinois; it didn’t even take Bielma three seasons to totally change that program. One off season transformed Texas Tech from an average team to a top 10 type team. This isn’t 1985; you don’t have to wait three and four seasons for 18 year olds to mature. With that said, PSU better be prepared to use the portal liberally and we’ll.
Texas Tech spent an incredible amount of $ in NIL with contributions from their oil Billionaires & millionaires.
 

BCS PSU

Senior
Jun 2, 2001
280
505
63
But Illinois went from unranked to ranked…that’s not as hard to do as taking a program and winning a NC within three years because that’s what the next PSU coach is going to have to do.
I don’t expect a NC in three seasons if ever. What I do expect is that this team within three seasons will be back to where it was from 2022 through 2024 with the possibility of being better coached to beat the top teams in the conference, and also to run a modern offense that throws passes to open receivers more than ten yards from the line of scrimmage. I also expect to see a more hard nosed and disciplined team.
 

BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
41,513
30,997
113
Totally agree. I mean, look at a moribund program like Illinois; it didn’t even take Bielma three seasons to totally change that program. One off season transformed Texas Tech from an average team to a top 10 type team. This isn’t 1985; you don’t have to wait three and four seasons for 18 year olds to mature. With that said, PSU better be prepared to use the portal liberally and well.

That’s why I went to Illinois for graduate school. I am moribund. I-L-L! 😞
 
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donaldfair71

Senior
Jul 4, 2005
618
691
93
I am. I am telling you PSU had no shot bringing in the 6 or 7th receiver from OSU even if they pay more. Joey Porter Jr is the next Jeremiah Smith and has not smelled the field. And they have multiple studs signed up to stand in line. These guys go to OSU for a discount BC they know the statistical chances of them being high draft picks are increased exponentially by going to OSU. I will also tell you that Tavien St. Clair who is #3 on the OSU depth chart will giggle at going to PSU given what happened with Allar. If PSU is lucky they may find a Mendoza, Pavia and the like under-performing and get them in the portal.

So, proof of concept first, then comes the talent. Proof of concept will take time.
I don’t think Penn State’s development of Drew Allar will be a top 50 consideration for kids deciding whether Penn State is for them once a new coach is announced.
 

donaldfair71

Senior
Jul 4, 2005
618
691
93
In the end, Allar just wasn’t that good. Coaching can only do so much.
Oh that staff will have it held against them, just not at Penn State.
Guys, Franklin and Franklinism is out, gone, not in PA anymore. He was in Morgantown yesterday I guess. He’s as much the program now as Bill O’Brien to future recruits.
The players still left, and the guys in the portal and the guys being recruited, will have the past of his replacement used as the selling point now.
Now whether that is good or not we’ll see. The replacement is super important in that regard and it will still need to be sold. But no kid will be like “love to play for you coach just didn’t like what you did with Drew Allar”. Hartline had as much to do with Allar as the guys posting on this board. Only thing in common is the jersey now.
There’s a long list of guys, likely available, whose past would likely sell wonderfully. Some aren’t even, apparently, candidates (though I think they should be).
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
8,383
11,513
113
Let's start a list of those keep (veterans & younger players); remember some might have been injured, done wrong by the schemes or have redshirted:
- Chase Coleman (DE)
- Tony Rojas (LBer - injured)
- A. Rapplylayea (TE)
- Amare Campbell (LBer)
- A. Tatsch (LBer)
- Audavian Collins (DB)
- Zion Tracy (DB)
- Cooper Cousins (OL)
- Anthony Donkoh (OL - back to RT)
- T.J. Shanahan (OL)
- Max Granville (DE - Injured)
- Reynolds (TE)
- Olesh (TE)
- Koby Howard (WR)
- Zakee Wheatley (Safety)
- King Mack (Safety)
- Darias Dixon (CB)
- Josh Johnson (Safety)
- Lavar Arrington, Jr (LB or DE ?)
- Xavier Gilliam (DT)
- Kemanjou (DE)
- T. Hayes (RB)
- J. Coleman (RB)
- C. Wallace (RB)
- Q. Martin (move to slot WR)
- Jamir Joseph (CB)
- Michael Troutman (OL)
- Owen Alciene (OL)
- Malachi Goodman (OL)
- Garrett Sexton (OL)
- Jeff Exinor (WR)
- Lyrics Samuel (WR)
- Evan Grunkemeyer (QB)
- Elliot Washington (CB)
- Ryan Barker (PK/FG)
- Cortez Harris (DE)
- Randy Adiika (DT)
- Cam Smith (LBer)
- Keon Wiley (LBer)

Coaches:
- Terry ( to GM)
- Poindexter (Safeties)
- Ty Howle (TEs)

Your comments, additions, deletions welcomed without challenge.
That’s a great list. Thanks for taking the time to construct it. I think it would be naive of us to think some won’t seek other opportunities, but there certainly are a lot of names on that list that I would like to see stay.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
838
1,539
93
I’m not going to fret because a lot of players from a 2026 recruiting class that probably was going to be ranked between 15 and 20 and made up mostly of people who wouldn’t see the field in several seasons have decided to decommit. In the new system, you can make those numbers up very quickly and often with players who are more ready to play immediately. Besides, the loss of the 2026 recruiting class obviously was built into the decision to hire a new coach by people like Kraft.
Seriously? Kevin Brown, Messiah Mickens, Matt Seig and the like were not up to snuff for you? The very ones CFP teams are now recruiting? If you believe that the portal is going to generate a roster graded at a 53% blue chip ratio, 10th nationally, out of the portal I think you will be gravely disappointed. If Kraft baked in losing Kevin, Messiah and Matt into his decision his tenure at PSU will be short lived.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
838
1,539
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The new coach isn’t going to get five years. Three at the most.
You better have your checkbook ready because Jimmy Sexton will make sure that firing his client in five years, let alone two or three will cripple Penn State's athletics. If you think the likes of Brohm, Keys, Lea are going to come to PSU without the promise of a massive LONG TERM compensation you are not looking at current contracts being signed. Only a Group of 5 coach MAY that kind of proof of concept risk. Hartline would not do it either.
 
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Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
838
1,539
93
Totally agree. I mean, look at a moribund program like Illinois; it didn’t even take Bielma three seasons to totally change that program. One off season transformed Texas Tech from an average team to a top 10 type team. This isn’t 1985; you don’t have to wait three and four seasons for 18 year olds to mature. With that said, PSU better be prepared to use the portal liberally and we’ll.
1. Bielma is 3 and 3 in conference, 6 and 3 overall. If the next coach delivers this "turnaround", from what I am reading here, those with these lofty expectations would be ready to perform ritual Japanese sepukku.
2, Texas Tech? Cody Campbell (like Phil Knight) is cutting the program all the dollars it want. This is not a reality at PSU. And please do perform hypotheticals not rooted in fact--e.g., Big donors did not like Franklin but will now bankroll the next hire. I am a show me the money guy, not how me the imaginary money guy.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
838
1,539
93
Let's start a list of those keep (veterans & younger players); remember some might have been injured, done wrong by the schemes or have redshirted:
- Chase Coleman (DE)
- Tony Rojas (LBer - injured)
- A. Rapplylayea (TE)
- Amare Campbell (LBer)
- A. Tatsch (LBer)
- Audavian Collins (DB)
- Zion Tracy (DB)
- Cooper Cousins (OL)
- Anthony Donkoh (OL - back to RT)
- T.J. Shanahan (OL)
- Max Granville (DE - Injured)
- Reynolds (TE)
- Olesh (TE)
- Koby Howard (WR)
- Zakee Wheatley (Safety)
- King Mack (Safety)
- Darias Dixon (CB)
- Josh Johnson (Safety)
- Lavar Arrington, Jr (LB or DE ?)
- Xavier Gilliam (DT)
- Kemanjou (DE)
- T. Hayes (RB)
- J. Coleman (RB)
- C. Wallace (RB)
- Q. Martin (move to slot WR)
- Jamir Joseph (CB)
- Michael Troutman (OL)
- Owen Alciene (OL)
- Malachi Goodman (OL)
- Garrett Sexton (OL)
- Jeff Exinor (WR)
- Lyrics Samuel (WR)
- Evan Grunkemeyer (QB)
- Elliot Washington (CB)
- Ryan Barker (PK/FG)
- Cortez Harris (DE)
- Randy Adiika (DT)
- Cam Smith (LBer)
- Keon Wiley (LBer)

Coaches:
- Terry ( to GM)
- Poindexter (Safeties)
- Ty Howle (TEs)

Your comments, additions, deletions welcomed without challenge.
Its really hard to say, as I see many of these guy bolting. I am thinking between 33 and 50 percent transfer. Lets see where Franklin ends up. Some of these guys will go with him
 

WVilleLion23

All-Conference
Oct 27, 2022
1,041
1,489
82
1. Bielma is 3 and 3 in conference, 6 and 3 overall. If the next coach delivers this "turnaround", from what I am reading here, those with these lofty expectations would be ready to perform ritual Japanese sepukku.
2, Texas Tech? Cody Campbell (like Phil Knight) is cutting the program all the dollars it want. This is not a reality at PSU. And please do perform hypotheticals not rooted in fact--e.g., Big donors did not like Franklin but will now bankroll the next hire. I am a show me the money guy, not how me the imaginary money guy.
Great post.
 

RolexKong

Freshman
Aug 15, 2025
102
90
18
1. Bielma is 3 and 3 in conference, 6 and 3 overall. If the next coach delivers this "turnaround", from what I am reading here, those with these lofty expectations would be ready to perform ritual Japanese sepukku.
2, Texas Tech? Cody Campbell (like Phil Knight) is cutting the program all the dollars it want. This is not a reality at PSU. And please do perform hypotheticals not rooted in fact--e.g., Big donors did not like Franklin but will now bankroll the next hire. I am a show me the money guy, not how me the imaginary money guy.
The donors didn't like Franklin because they gave him the dollars he asked for (or that Kraft asked for) and he didn't deliver.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
838
1,539
93
Would like to bring the two prime rated OLs back into 2026 fold (Brown - PA) & VonBrandt (DE)
Yeah, that's not happening. Kevin to OSU is as close as a slam dunk right now as there is. Von Brandt is a tackle and in the 28 class. He may come back depending on the hire. Given that Troutman is all but guaranteed that he will be gone, OL recruiting will be done from scratch.

I can see Terry being retained (he should) and he could start bringing back 28 talent once the next coach is hired and they develop a rapport. If Howe moves on that TE room will empty out. I am still looking at Franklin's landing spot as an important variable. Once he settles in we will see movement or not
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
838
1,539
93
I don’t think Penn State’s development of Drew Allar will be a top 50 consideration for kids deciding whether Penn State is for them once a new coach is announced.
That is incorrect. You already saw this with Bourque (Michigan) and Kroucher (Ole Miss). Kritza, Jaxon and Grunk are the only QB on the roster before the portal opens and not a single QB recruit committed (after Huhn bailed). They will have to hunt for a portal guy, depending on who comes in to coach.
 

PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,492
6,794
113
1. Bielma is 3 and 3 in conference, 6 and 3 overall. If the next coach delivers this "turnaround", from what I am reading here, those with these lofty expectations would be ready to perform ritual Japanese sepukku.
2, Texas Tech? Cody Campbell (like Phil Knight) is cutting the program all the dollars it want. This is not a reality at PSU. And please do perform hypotheticals not rooted in fact--e.g., Big donors did not like Franklin but will now bankroll the next hire. I am a show me the money guy, not how me the imaginary money guy.
Well Kraft said money is not an issue for the next coach or NIL. Is he lying or just blowing smoke?
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
838
1,539
93
Well Kraft said money is not an issue for the next coach or NIL. Is he lying or just blowing smoke?
He is living in la-la land. 1. Stadium 700*m; 2. Buyouts for coaches (Andy and Knowles (though I think they may keep hm and find the right pieces for him)l; 3. >20m roster. Those are a lot of dollars. Pegula is all in with hockey; he is not bankrolling football (beyond what he is giving to the stadium rebuild).
 
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