New coach

Zone-Blitz

Junior
Oct 27, 2013
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I like this list, though I would flip Diaz with Lea. I also am not enamored of Hartline.
Diaz should be near the top, i don’t understand the fascination with Elko at all. Manny has proven to be a winning head coach, great defensive coordinator and fits the Penn State culture perfectly. I don’t know how Elko brings anything more to the table than Manny? Hartline can bring skill position talent but we don’t know how he’ll handle anything else. Lea, Key, Campbell are all guys who I’m sure will win the press conference but not sure they move the needle on anything.
 
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Rudy4526

Senior
Oct 13, 2010
603
661
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Diaz should be near the top, i don’t understand the fascination with Elko at all. Manny has proven to be a winning head coach, great defensive coordinator and fits the Penn State culture perfectly. I don’t know how Elko brings anything more to the table than Manny? Hartline can bring skill position talent but we don’t know how he’ll handle anything else. Lea, Key, Campbell are all guys who I’m sure will win the press conference but not sure they move the needle on anything.
I agree. Also out of all the candidates he seems most attainable other than coordinators.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
803
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I agree. Also out of all the candidates he seems most attainable other than coordinators.
Penn State could do a lot worse than Manny, though I prefer a coach that comes from the offensive side of the ball and can attract and develop QBs (Brohm, who I do not think comes).
 

WaffleShopper

Senior
Sep 20, 2023
267
464
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His team is ranked 2nd ... I guess that's a big step to a title? One thing is for sure, he took over the losingest P4 program in America ... and if 2 years ago someone said , "He'll have them in the playoffs in year one", I would've responded with "that's a big step".
Yup it’s a big step going from great to winning a title as Penn State fans know too well. Indiana was in the top 5 last year then got humbled by both OSU and Notre Dame. We were also #2 this year and look what happened. I’ll be cheering for them but until they do it at the end of the season and in the playoffs then being ranked high doesn’t mean all that much.
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
1,647
1,812
113
and, like I tried to say but maybe I didn't shout it loud enough, Vandy has pumped in a ton more money than when Franklin was around.
Yes they are working major facilities upgrades and a stadium renovation. I think the stadium reno might be completed or close to being completed.
 

Catch1lion

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
2,804
4,253
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Raven's OC seems like an interesting possibility for one of the better jobs if he is interested in CFB. Saw him on the possible Auburn list on the Athletic.
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken: With the Ravens struggling this season, perhaps the 59-year-old Monken could become an option for colleges again. He won two national championships as Georgia’s offensive coordinator from 2020 to ’22. In his only college head coaching stint, he took over a winless Southern Miss team in 2013 and won nine games two years later, before leaving for an NFL assistant job. He has also coached at Oklahoma State and LSU, among other places.
 

WSTLion87

All-Conference
Oct 10, 2021
795
1,712
93
Too cold for his hair?

😞
Could be and again... I like Manny very much. When he was DC we were 21-4 over that stretch. You can make the argument that he WAS the Head Coach, then. The thing is I just get the feeling he's not being magnified at Duke and the ACC overall pretty much stinks but that isn't his fault. I would consider him if he was interested but perhaps as a fourth or fifth choice. Definitely not a first or second!
 
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84lion

Senior
Oct 7, 2021
611
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I've seen this same story at multiple sites through I somewhat view it with a high level of doubt because it feels like click fodder (even for Yahoo! who notes the bulk of that story is from Audacy and Awful Announcing--I wouldn't consider either as a gold standard of journalism). My rule of thumb is if breaking or insider news like this is shared and it's from someone you've never heard of--take it with a grain of salt.

The other reason I am not putting a lot of stock in these discussions with Meyer is because the whole issue on why it broke down is the exact reason many of us on message boards and pseudo-journalists/columnists have noted as a negative for Meyer (dealing with NIL).

Now setting all those doubts aside, let's say these two meetings did happen. What could Meyer have said about NIL that would have turned PSU away from him? Clearly, he's observed the blowback with Dabo and his unwillingness to embrace transfers (and I'm guessing NIL too?). Meyer may be a lot of things but I don't think he's dumb enough to not recognize NIL has to be major factor when building and maintaining a team. I suspect he is still close to OSU who have been big players in NIL since it was legal so it would be odd for him not throw out an answer that would have turned off PSU. The only thing I can think of is:
  1. Meyer wanted to bring in his own GM to handle NIL management
  2. Meyer wanted to handle NIL himself without a GM
  3. Kraft indicated he would manage NIL himself
  4. Kraft indicated he would appoint the GM not Meyer
Given the reporting puts in on PSU not liking Meyer's answers, it would lead me to believe it was #1 or #2. But who the heck knows!
The more I see of this “story” the more it sounds like fiction designed as “cover” for the real story. The story makes no sense. Meyer wants to make a comeback at Penn State, interviews with PSU, and they rebuff him over…of all things…an answer to how he’d handle NIL. That, to me, is ridiculous, given that Meyer coached at Florida (you know he handled “recruit” money there, and almost certainly at tOSU as well), and in any case would have (as FHCJF did) a GM to manage NIL money.

My thought is that Meyer would like the position but is in no hurry. There will be a LOT of coaching changes this go-round. I think Meyer wants to wait until the first deals are done to see what numbers come out. I don’t think he wants to work for cheap (I don’t blame him). Both sides needed a cover, and the concerns about Meyer’s coaching experience being pre-NIL were made to order.

In addition to the points you made, I wonder if someone supposedly whispering in Kraft’s ear is a vehement anti-Meyer voice. Just need some strong cocktails at the next meeting to turn them around.

Someone once said, “it ain’t over ‘till the fat lady sings.” Penn State would look like a bunch of idiots if Meyer came offering his services and they rejected him.

And Yahoo! Is about as far from being a “gold standard of journalism” as you can get.
 

PSUForever

Senior
Feb 17, 2007
688
619
93
Diaz should be near the top, i don’t understand the fascination with Elko at all. Manny has proven to be a winning head coach, great defensive coordinator and fits the Penn State culture perfectly. I don’t know how Elko brings anything more to the table than Manny? Hartline can bring skill position talent but we don’t know how he’ll handle anything else. Lea, Key, Campbell are all guys who I’m sure will win the press conference but not sure they move the needle on anything.
We need a guy who can develop and coach up QBs.
 

Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
2,066
2,171
113
Could be and again... I like Manny very much. When he was DC we were 21-4 over that stretch. You can make the argument that he WAS the Head Coach, then. The thing is I just get the feeling he's not being magnified at Duke and the ACC overall pretty much stinks but that isn't his fault. I would consider him if he was interested but perhaps as a fourth or fifth choice. Definitely not a first or second!
You could also argue that Santa Claus is real too. Geez.
 

Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
2,066
2,171
113
The more I see of this “story” the more it sounds like fiction designed as “cover” for the real story. The story makes no sense. Meyer wants to make a comeback at Penn State, interviews with PSU, and they rebuff him over…of all things…an answer to how he’d handle NIL. That, to me, is ridiculous, given that Meyer coached at Florida (you know he handled “recruit” money there, and almost certainly at tOSU as well), and in any case would have (as FHCJF did) a GM to manage NIL money.

My thought is that Meyer would like the position but is in no hurry. There will be a LOT of coaching changes this go-round. I think Meyer wants to wait until the first deals are done to see what numbers come out. I don’t think he wants to work for cheap (I don’t blame him). Both sides needed a cover, and the concerns about Meyer’s coaching experience being pre-NIL were made to order.

In addition to the points you made, I wonder if someone supposedly whispering in Kraft’s ear is a vehement anti-Meyer voice. Just need some strong cocktails at the next meeting to turn them around.

Someone once said, “it ain’t over ‘till the fat lady sings.” Penn State would look like a bunch of idiots if Meyer came offering his services and they rejected him.

And Yahoo! Is about as far from being a “gold standard of journalism” as you can get.
Yep lots of “in the know” expert nerds playing with their keyboards.
 
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Bvillebaron

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
2,066
2,171
113
Diaz should be near the top, i don’t understand the fascination with Elko at all. Manny has proven to be a winning head coach, great defensive coordinator and fits the Penn State culture perfectly. I don’t know how Elko brings anything more to the table than Manny? Hartline can bring skill position talent but we don’t know how he’ll handle anything else. Lea, Key, Campbell are all guys who I’m sure will win the press conference but not sure they move the needle on anything.
Yeah Manny was 21-15 in his 3 years as head coach at Miami but obviously it wasn’t his fault since there aren’t any good high school football players in Florida.
 

bwc

Freshman
May 22, 2014
66
93
18
Seems like quite a few are excited about Urban being a possibility. I don't see him having as much success as in years past, although I'd be happy if proven wrong.

Definitely an upgrade in scheme, X's and O's and situational coaching, that's not in dispute. Also, a better talent evaluator of players, Coordinators and assistants than Franklin. An upgrade in recruiting as well.

My concern is that I don't think his style of motivation still works in this era of CFB. It certainly didn't work in Jacksonville as an NFL coach. With NIL and the transfer portal you can't just threaten to take away playing time, scholarships or under the table $ like he’s done in the past, the talent will just leave for greener pastures. Don't think that'll fly nowadays, you almost have to treat college players like pro's.

He also greatly benefited from highly organized booster programs that paid top recruits and players well and very skilled fixers at both UF and tOSU. NIL takes that away and I don't think PSU will let a fixer work like he needed them to in the past.

The recent article that states PSU didn't like his answers regarding NIL is interesting and confusing. It makes me think he maybe wanted to make it performance dependent, although I'm sure he knows or should know you can't do that.
 

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
1,647
1,812
113
Seems like quite a few are excited about Urban being a possibility. I don't see him having as much success as in years past, although I'd be happy if proven wrong.

Definitely an upgrade in scheme, X's and O's and situational coaching, that's not in dispute. Also, a better talent evaluator of players, Coordinators and assistants than Franklin. An upgrade in recruiting as well.

My concern is that I don't think his style of motivation still works in this era of CFB. It certainly didn't work in Jacksonville as an NFL coach. With NIL and the transfer portal you can't just threaten to take away playing time, scholarships or under the table $ like he’s done in the past, the talent will just leave for greener pastures. Don't think that'll fly nowadays, you almost have to treat college players like pro's.

He also greatly benefited from highly organized booster programs that paid top recruits and players well and very skilled fixers at both UF and tOSU. NIL takes that away and I don't think PSU will let a fixer work like he needed them to in the past.

The recent article that states PSU didn't like his answers regarding NIL is interesting and confusing. It makes me think he maybe wanted to make it performance dependent, although I'm sure he knows or should know you can't do that.
NIL should be performance dependent.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
803
1,506
93
We need a guy who is smart enough to recruit the right style quarterback for his offensive scheme. Enough of this square peg in a round hole nonsense.
Yes. PSU needs someone like Brohm who was a QB, has a distinct offensive philosophy, and can recruit and develop QBs. If you bring in top end QB talent the rest follows. Unfortunately, I do not see him leaving Louisville.
 
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SRURock24

Sophomore
Jul 25, 2017
253
184
43
Although I think Elko would be a homerun, I just can't see that happening. I also think Key, Lea, and Drinkwitz either stay where they are or move to other southern teams. Deboer I don't think iis in play.
Thus, Diaz or Chesney and I think they could stabilize the situation and rebuild with toughness.

Yes. PSU needs someone like Brohm who was a QB, has a distinct offensive philosophy, and can recruit and develop QBs. If you bring in top end QB talent the rest follows. Unfortunately, I do not see him leaving Louisville.
You may be right but some times I think the Alma mater thing gets overblown. These are competitive, career driven alpha males with professional goals and ambitions. If the $ and resources are better it’s hard to say no if your goal is to win at the highest level and be a Championship coach.
 

Itraindogs

All-Conference
Nov 28, 2024
803
1,506
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You may be right but some times I think the Alma mater thing gets overblown. These are competitive, career driven alpha males with professional goals and ambitions. If the $ and resources are better it’s hard to say no if your goal is to win at the highest level and be a Championship coach.
True, though Brohm does not appear to belong to this group. He does not appear to be a "next higher rung is better' kind of guy. A multimillionaire driving a 2004 Honda Accord for 20 years is telling. Of course, we are completely speculating but Brohm is from Louisville, his and his extended family are from Louisville, he played at Louisville and is making good money at Louisville. And though I grant you that he is ultra-competitive and tough as nails (you should see the clip of him almost getting decapitated during a game and him returning the following game) his very competitive "alpha male" psyche may very well translate in a a desire to will his alma mater to the pinnacle of the sport. That would truly be drive. In any case, simply speculating.