New coach

[Itraindogs]

I have my doubts that Brian Hartline would bring anyone along with him.

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."

 

[donaldfair71]

Lots of players out there, guys don’t need to bring their own to still bring in really good players.
I know Mendoza is a stud, and was seen as a round 1/2 prospect all summer, but he wasn’t all-ACC last year and I’d bet 98% of the board never heard of him until this Fall. Their, Indiana’s, Center was a really good player at ND and started in the title game. There are a lot of guys out there, and for many, Penn State will offer the best playing time/visibility/income opportunity.
I believe a grand total of 1 player from a P4 school transferred that made 1st or 2nd all conference. The rest are guys moving up from small schools or backing up at P4 schools and they’re making impacts.

 

[KingLando]

L

Inconsistency has killed this team. Some of his throws were a little behind the target but could have been caught.

Look at the catches on far from perfect passed that Mendoza Indiana made yesterday without their best WR. Too much blame has fallen on the QBs

 

[PSU4U]

If it’s Drink, he’ll bring 3.

The top 3-4 seems to be evenly in the mix. It's out that even Elko has now expressed interest. While that has been reported elsewhere a couple days ago I have not seen it posted here. So there are discussions going on between Elko and PS.

 

[WVilleLion23]

The top 3-4 seems to be evenly in the mix. It's out that even Elko has now expressed interest. While that has been reported elsewhere a couple days ago I have not seen it posted here. So there are discussions going on between Elko and PS.

Sorry, but I am calling BS. There is absolutely no way Elko or his agent would let it be known. He has too much too risk. He would not want anything potentially undermining his current team given where they are in rankings. And I believe if there were any conversations with PSU, his agent would make it known that loose lips would be a betrayal of trust and would ruin any potential agreement.

 

[Ludd]

Louisville losing means they’re almost definitely out of the playoffs so I’d say it might be even more likely that we hire Brohm, not less. Also, Missouri is almost certainly out now as well so Drinkwitz should have plenty of free time to chat at the end of the month.

But he doesn’t fit the requirements of this board, he lost to a team with less talent…that never happens to even a mediocre coach.

 

[dcf4psu]

I want a coach who knows how to win when you are the hunted, not the hunter. There aren't many coaches who win consistently when they are the team everyone is aiming for. Saban, Meyer, Smart come to mind. To quote the former coach James Franklin "winning isn't easy." That's especially true when you are the team everyone wants to beat. Kraft wants multiple championships and you need a coach who can win knowing you are always getting the opponents best shot. This is why I want Hartline. He's part of that culture and sees what it takes to win consistently at the very top levels.

 

[LB99]

Lots of players out there, guys don’t need to bring their own to still bring in really good players.
I know Mendoza is a stud, and was seen as a round 1/2 prospect all summer, but he wasn’t all-ACC last year and I’d bet 98% of the board never heard of him until this Fall. Their, Indiana’s, Center was a really good player at ND and started in the title game. There are a lot of guys out there, and for many, Penn State will offer the best playing time/visibility/income opportunity.
I believe a grand total of 1 player from a P4 school transferred that made 1st or 2nd all conference. The rest are guys moving up from small schools or backing up at P4 schools and they’re making impacts.

It has to be the right mix of players though, otherwise you get Colorado 2.0. Indiana is an aberration, not the norm.

 

[BCS PSU]

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."

All of those players whom you mentioned also are personally responsible for the team’s and their own miserable season. Maybe they should’ve played better and their draft stock wouldn’t have fallen.

 

[BCS PSU]

It has to be the right mix of players though, otherwise you get Colorado 2.0. Indiana is an aberration, not the norm.

The new coach isn’t going to have a choice. He most likely is going to have to bring in upwards of forty players.

 

[BCS PSU]

Lots of players out there, guys don’t need to bring their own to still bring in really good players.
I know Mendoza is a stud, and was seen as a round 1/2 prospect all summer, but he wasn’t all-ACC last year and I’d bet 98% of the board never heard of him until this Fall. Their, Indiana’s, Center was a really good player at ND and started in the title game. There are a lot of guys out there, and for many, Penn State will offer the best playing time/visibility/income opportunity.
I believe a grand total of 1 player from a P4 school transferred that made 1st or 2nd all conference. The rest are guys moving up from small schools or backing up at P4 schools and they’re making impacts.

I saw Mendoza play at least three games last season (FSU, Miami and Pitt) and he was bad against FSU ( that was one of FSU’s few wins last season), good against Miami, and average to below average against Pitt (another loss). I never thought that he would have such a good season like he’s had; he’s obviously in a great system and most importantly surrounded by very good teammates.

 

[PSU87]

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."

BS....are you telling me a 3rd receiver option at OSU isn't taking a shot to be "the guy" at Penn State...for more NIL?

Heck...even for the starters it's all about NIL money now. Kids don't care about school, team or championships....show me the money.

 

[LB99]

The new coach isn’t going to have a choice. He most likely is going to have to bring in upwards of forty players.

Exactly. Which is why I keep saying this is a complete rebuild. Some seem to think every coach now can catch lightning in a bottle like Cignetti did. The likelihood of that happening is low.

 

[donaldfair71]

It has to be the right mix of players though, otherwise you get Colorado 2.0. Indiana is an aberration, not the norm.

Absolutely correct.
But there’s no guarantee you get the right mix of guys who come in with a coach either. Cig still the exception to that.

 

[donaldfair71]

Exactly. Which is why I keep saying this is a complete rebuild. Some seem to think every coach now can catch lightning in a bottle like Cignetti did. The likelihood of that happening is low.

I think it’s somewhere in between with the right hire.
I don’t believe it’s a given we lose what everyone is assuming we’re losing in the portal. I also think a smart move like retaining Terry Smith goes a long way.
From there you have to use the portal much more liberally than in the past, but not build your entire roster.

 

[LB99]

I think it’s somewhere in between with the right hire.
I don’t believe it’s a given we lose what everyone is assuming we’re losing in the portal. I also think a smart move like retaining Terry Smith goes a long way.
From there you have to use the portal much more liberally than in the past, but not build your entire roster.

I agree. My hope is some of the young guys who we haven’t seen much of yet, decide they will have an opportunity if they stay. There are also a few young guys who we have seen that need to be prioritized to stay. Chaz Coleman is the main one and the young RBs who have shown flashes.

 

[donaldfair71]

I agree. My hope is some of the young guys who we haven’t seen much of yet, decide they will have an opportunity if they stay. There are also a few young guys who we have seen that need to be prioritized to stay. Chaz Coleman is the main one and the young RBs who have shown flashes.

Yeah all of this.
There are guys who are at PSU who will likely start/play a lot at PSU who could go elsewhere. But there aren’t limitless spots out there and there aren’t going to be many places better in regards to PT/NIL/Exposure. Some will go but it’s gonna happen regardless. Part of coaching change. And guess what, guys will be leaving Florida/LSU/Va Tech/Etc as well. Just be active in what you can control. Never got the feeling JF was interested in improving roster via NIL but rather filling holes he didn’t already have filled in recruiting.

 

[Catch1lion]

I have my doubts that Brian Hartline would bring anyone along with him.

 

[PSUwolf]

The new coach isn’t going to have a choice. He most likely is going to have to bring in upwards of forty players.

Dead on ...... unfortunately

 

[Catch1lion]

No coach can confirm this. Each and every player would need to be recruited and paid accordingly..

Well a boat load of potential NIL monies freed up after this year. Need a coach that instills confidence in the oligarchy to keep the monies flowing. I'm not sure of the value of our current GM, Andy Frank, but he will prolly go with BGJF. GM is a top notch position in era for sure.

 

[BCS PSU]

Exactly. Which is why I keep saying this is a complete rebuild. Some seem to think every coach now can catch lightning in a bottle like Cignetti did. The likelihood of that happening is low.

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.

 

[BobPSU92]

BS....are you telling me a 3rd receiver option at OSU isn't taking a shot to be "the guy" at Penn State...for more NIL?

Heck...even for the starters it's all about NIL money now. Kids don't care about school, team or championships....show me the money.

How did Fleming work out for us?

 

[BCS PSU]

I think it’s somewhere in between with the right hire.
I don’t believe it’s a given we lose what everyone is assuming we’re losing in the portal. I also think a smart move like retaining Terry Smith goes a long way.
From there you have to use the portal much more liberally than in the past, but not build your entire roster.

Next season probably was going to be a rebuilding season anyway, like Michigan had in 2024; we probably were looking at an eight or nine win season at best. However, because of the experience that a player like Grunkemeyer is getting now in a lost season, the team next season actually may be better than it was setting up to be, especially if the new coach can bring in several good transfers and retain a lot of the good existing players.

By the way, the new coach still needs to bring in at least one and maybe two transfer QBs even if Grunkemeyer stays.

 

[BobPSU92]

The new coach isn’t going to have a choice. He most likely is going to have to bring in upwards of forty players.

First practice at PSU under the new coach:

 

[Itraindogs]

BS....are you telling me a 3rd receiver option at OSU isn't taking a shot to be "the guy" at Penn State...for more NIL?

Heck...even for the starters it's all about NIL money now. Kids don't care about school, team or championships....show me the money.

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.

 

[Itraindogs]

Yeah all of this.
There are guys who are at PSU who will likely start/play a lot at PSU who could go elsewhere. But there aren’t limitless spots out there and there aren’t going to be many places better in regards to PT/NIL/Exposure. Some will go but it’s gonna happen regardless. Part of coaching change. And guess what, guys will be leaving Florida/LSU/Va Tech/Etc as well. Just be active in what you can control. Never got the feeling JF was interested in improving roster via NIL but rather filling holes he didn’t already have filled in recruiting.

But there is a huge difference. If you compare UF to PSU you will see it. UF has lost virtually no recruits even if Billy was fired mid-season Not the same at Penn State. Penn State's players were more Franklin guys than UF's were Billy's guys. That is why there was a mass exodus from the recruits and the current cratering of the class. Not so at UF or LSU. How many will leave once next coach is hired is unknown, though I suspect PSU will have a significant attrition rate compared to the others. Not all things are equal

 

[Ludd]

Next season probably was going to be a rebuilding season anyway, like Michigan had in 2024; we probably were looking at an eight or nine win season at best. However, because of the experience that a player like Grunkemeyer is getting now in a lost season, the team next season actually may be better than it was setting up to be, especially if the new coach can bring in several good transfers and retain a lot of the good existing players.

By the way, the new coach still needs to bring in at least one and maybe two transfer QBs even if Grunkemeyer stays.

Ten wins is the floor for anyone we hire, after all, we’re Penn State and we can win ten games just by stepping on the field.

 

[BCS PSU]

But there is a huge difference. If you compare UF to PSU you will see it. UF has lost virtually no recruits even if Billy was fired mid-season Not the same at Penn State. Penn State's players were more Franklin guys than UF's were Billy's guys. That is why there was a mass exodus from the recruits and the current cratering of the class. Not so at UF or LSU. How many will leave once next coach is hired is unknown, though I suspect PSU will have a significant attrition rate compared to the others. Not all things are equal

That may not be a bad thing in the end. Also, the new coach will have basically a full year to recruit for the 2027 class.

 

[Itraindogs]

That may not be a bad thing in the end.

Only time will tell.

 

[BCS PSU]

Ten wins is the floor for anyone we hire, after all, we’re Penn State and we can win ten games just by stepping on the field.

Franklin won seven games in his first two seasons and then eleven games in his third, and he was working with a reduced roster; the new coach won’t have that issue for several reasons.

 

[Itraindogs]

Ten wins is the floor for anyone we hire, after all, we’re Penn State and we can win ten games just by stepping on the field.

A smiley face will help underscore that you are joking.

 

[Itraindogs]

Franklin won seven games in his first two seasons and then eleven games in his third, and he was working with a reduced roster; the new coach won’t have that issue for several reasons.

3 to 5 years is a reasonable window to get Penn State back to being a very good, not elite, team

 

[BCS PSU]

Only time will tell.

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.

 

[BCS PSU]

3 to 5 years is a reasonable window to get Penn State back to being a very good, not elite, team

If it takes five years, then the new coach simply has failed. Like I said, it took Franklin only three seasons to win eleven games and a Big 10 Championship, and he inherited reduced scholarships and didn’’t have the portal.

 

[Ludd]

A smiley face will help underscore that you are joking.

But I’m not…I’m just using many posters’ logic. Hell, a high school coach knew more than Franklin so if he can win 10 games, anyone we hire should win 10 in a down year.

 

[Ludd]

3 to 5 years is a reasonable window to get Penn State back to being a very good, not elite, team

The new coach isn’t going to get five years. Three at the most.

 

[BCS PSU]

The new coach isn’t going to get five years. Three at the most.

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.

 

[Ludd]

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.

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.

 

[DaytonRickster]

I agree. My hope is some of the young guys who we haven’t seen much of yet, decide they will have an opportunity if they stay. There are also a few young guys who we have seen that need to be prioritized to stay. Chaz Coleman is the main one and the young RBs who have shown flashes.

I agree. My hope is some of the young guys who we haven’t seen much of yet, decide they will have an opportunity if they stay. There are also a few young guys who we have seen that need to be prioritized to stay. Chaz Coleman is the main one and the young RBs who have shown flashes.

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.

 

[DaytonRickster]

"You can do it"