New coach

DaytonRickster

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
1,794
2,016
113
Wrong genius, never making the Playoffs eliminates title shots. Franklin made it to the National Semifinals (and within a play of the Final), so when the new $12 million man comes on board and delivers mediocrity for 3 years and zero playoffs, of course you're going to recommend patienc..... LMFAO at you know-it-all "fantasy coaches" who think it's so easy to be as incredibly successful as Franklin was..... Kraft should be put on notice immediately that his job is on the line regarding this next hire and how PSU does results-wise.
I agree about Kraft being put on notice but who has the guts: President, BOT? Perhaps the Big $ boosters could apply pressure to run Kraft off?
My problem with Kraft all is who are the quality coaches he has hired at any stops?
Perhaps the PSU baseball coach? Did he hire the PSU Women's Volleyball coach or was that a push from Russ Rose? She has been very successful, already won a Natty. This year rebuild but has a top flight class coming in for next season.
Any I'm missing someone?
 

WVilleLion23

All-Conference
Oct 27, 2022
1,087
1,525
82
What makes the next coach successful in your mind?
It doesn’t really matter. Until the team lost to UCLA and NW this season, I didn’t think we needed to move on.

Even then, I think Kraft f’d up with his words. Now he has created a standard that pretty much removes much patience for next coach to meet some standard before firing next coach or Kraft looks like he lied.

I have no demands or expectations on us winning a Natty. Do I want to see one, hell yeah. Do I hope we win one, hell yeah. I wised up years ago and realized it is stupid to have expectations on coaches and athletes because at the end of the day they don’t really give a damn what we fans think. Sports is a lot more enjoyable without expectations and makes it much easier not to dwell on loses.
 

BCS PSU

Senior
Jun 2, 2001
327
593
93
How many playoff spots did Franklin earn over the years?

If it’s none until last year, what kept him from them until last year?
You have to love that some think it’s perfectly acceptable to go 1-10 against the best team in the conference, 0-2 against probably the second best team in the conference when one game was at a neutral site and the other was at home, and make two conference championship games in eleven seasons. Also, when you basically have more talent than all but two or maybe three teams yearly, and usually considerable more talent, it doesn’t take Lombardi to win nine or ten games.
 

donaldfair71

Senior
Jul 4, 2005
705
769
93
lol. You have such a negative perspective on what the team looked like the last several years. I sure hope we don’t slide back to what is possible or you’ll be inconsolable.
I’m not negative at all.

I think the program is one of the few that has the resources to win a national title, and one of only 4 in the “North” (stealing that from Urban) that can realistically expect to contend for titles on a year in year out basis.

That’s not negative, that’s really positive. I was there for 2000-03, I get how bad it can be. Yes, Joe more than wore out his welcome. He stayed too long by a while.

Even in its best years, it used to be that Penn State should realistically expect to be right there once every 4 seasons. I don’t think that’s unrealistic even today. Take it to 6, ok, times changed. Heck, make it 8.

Now how in the world can you contend even once every 50 years if you can’t beat the very profile of teams you’ll need to beat multiple times? It’s not in the cards, and I think trying something different for the chance to do better is worth it if you absolutely 100% believe you can’t get there in the present status.

It’s not negativity, 7-5 a few years and then try someone else would stink, then move on again, nothing lost. We’re not just killing it year in, year out as is. We’re having stinkers in there too.
 

Nitt1300

Heisman
Nov 2, 2008
6,248
11,637
113
That’s fair. It’s basically what I’d dream for too.

But I don’t think James could do any of those 3 things.
He was .712, would have made 5 of ten playoffs and no Natty so I think the new guy fails if he doesn't do at least that much better - maybe cut the playoff requirement to 8 out of 10
 
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Wilbury

Sophomore
Oct 28, 2021
81
103
33
The other thing that has not been discussed, and people are not considering, is the fact that a lot of PSU's roster may follow Franklin when he lands (and he is supposedly in serious negotiations with VaTech as we speak). PSU, and Kraft, created this situation via the way they handled this. Many of these players (and coaches) are far closer, and committed, to Franklin than the babbling know-it-alls understand. In terms of the NIL roster (i.e., 2-Deep portion of roster), PSU is looking at a situation where their entire 2-Deep has to be rebuilt from scratch next year (in fact, I would say one of Franklin's greatest attractions at VoTech is the fact that he will bring a ton of quality players with him).

PSU is in a situation where they have to hire a head coach who can bring a large core-group (as in well into double digits) of 2-Deep NIL players with him.
who hasn't considered that? That happens everytime a coach leaves or is fired during the NIL era.
 
Jun 26, 2025
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He was .712, would have made 5 of ten playoffs and no Natty so I think the new guy fails if he doesn't do at least that much better - maybe cut the playoff requirement to 8 out of 10

Actually 6 (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024) - and there was no postseason in 2020, so that would have been 6 of 8 through last year and 6 of 9 including this year. Laughable that some on here act like there's so many coaches that did better - there's only a handful of coaches that did better over the span in terms of national relevance and two of them are retired now!
 
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Jun 26, 2025
302
224
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who hasn't considered that? That happens everytime a coach leaves or is fired during the NIL era.

No it doesn't because most of the situations you're talking about were firings of unsuccessful coaches and prior to the advent of the NIL professionalization of CFB. In this situation, Kraft has fired one of the 5 most successful active coaches who is likely going to land at another D1A program and potentially take many of his players with him (aside from the players other coaches poach). This situation is not remotely analogous to anything you referenced.
 
Jun 26, 2025
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Actually 6 (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024) - and there was no postseason in 2020, so that would have been 6 of 8 through last year and 6 of 9 including this year. Laughable that some on here act like there's so many coaches that did better - there's only a handful of coaches that did better over the span in terms of national relevance and two of them are retired now!

BTW, PSU was #12 in the final 2018 CFP Rankings that determine CFP Playoff and bowls, so Franklin would have made 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 under the current structure. Again, no postseason in aborted 2020 COVID Season, so thats 7 of the last 8 postseasons and 7 of 9 if we include this year.
 

Connorpozlee

All-American
Aug 29, 2013
2,802
5,399
113
Actually 6 (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024) - and there was no postseason in 2020, so that would have been 6 of 8 through last year and 6 of 9 including this year. Laughable that some on here act like there's so many coaches that did better - there's only a handful of coaches that did better over the span in terms of national relevance and two of them are retired now!
I think it’s possible to believe he largely did a very good job prior to this season and think he deserved to lose his job for his performance this season. Not only do I think it’s possible, it’s what I believe.
 

Catch1lion

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
2,891
4,383
113
You have to love that some think it’s perfectly acceptable to go 1-10 against the best team in the conference, 0-2 against probably the second best team in the conference when one game was at a neutral site and the other was at home, and make two conference championship games in eleven seasons. Also, when you basically have more talent than all but two or maybe three teams yearly, and usually considerable more talent, it doesn’t take Lombardi to win nine or ten games.
We are going to put that hypothesis to the test .
 

PSUForever

Senior
Feb 17, 2007
742
705
93
I love Terry Smith. He’s Penn State through and through. There is no world where Kraft can fire Franklin mid-season and give his assistant HC the job. None.
I agree, it won't be Terry Smith unless Kraft strikes out on about 12 guys first.

I like Terry and definetly think he should be retained but beating MSU should not be a reason we all feel he is our answer.
 

donaldfair71

Senior
Jul 4, 2005
705
769
93
It doesn’t really matter. Until the team lost to UCLA and NW this season, I didn’t think we needed to move on.

Even then, I think Kraft f’d up with his words. Now he has created a standard that pretty much removes much patience for next coach to meet some standard before firing next coach or Kraft looks like he lied.

I have no demands or expectations on us winning a Natty. Do I want to see one, hell yeah. Do I hope we win one, hell yeah. I wised up years ago and realized it is stupid to have expectations on coaches and athletes because at the end of the day they don’t really give a damn what we fans think. Sports is a lot more enjoyable without expectations and makes it much easier not to dwell on loses.
Do you honestly think Kraft cares?

He was .712, would have made 5 of ten playoffs and no Natty so I think the new guy fails if he doesn't do at least that much better - maybe cut the playoff requirement to 8 out of 10
Again, fair.
I think it’s possible to believe he largely did a very good job prior to this season and think he deserved to lose his job for his performance this season. Not only do I think it’s possible, it’s what I believe.
We rarely discus the extenuating factor of going above his AD for a raise and extension too (if you believe Landon Tengwell).

That’s not why I wanted a new coach, but I can understand why the AD would find it created an irreconcilable relationship.
 

Moogy

All-Conference
Jul 28, 2017
3,270
2,223
113
We’re supposed to be content with losing to every single good team in our league forever.
We could have just purchased a Wahmbulance for you to hop into and cry that you weren't content whenever you were feeling cranky while the rest of us continued to enjoy one of the most successful programs in the nation.
 

donaldfair71

Senior
Jul 4, 2005
705
769
93
We could have just purchased a Wahmbulance for you to hop into and cry that you weren't content whenever you were feeling cranky while the rest of us continued to enjoy one of the most successful programs in the nation.
Maybe, but aren’t you crying right now?
 

WVilleLion23

All-Conference
Oct 27, 2022
1,087
1,525
82
Do you honestly think Kraft cares?


Again, fair.

We rarely discus the extenuating factor of going above his AD for a raise and extension too (if you believe Landon Tengwell).

That’s not why I wanted a new coach, but I can understand why the AD would find it created an irreconcilable relationship.
Nope, he doesn’t.
 

Wilbury

Sophomore
Oct 28, 2021
81
103
33
Actually 6 (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024) - and there was no postseason in 2020, so that would have been 6 of 8 through last year and 6 of 9 including this year. Laughable that some on here act like there's so many coaches that did better - there's only a handful of coaches that did better over the span in terms of national relevance and two of them are retired now!
And yet he still deserved to be fired. No sarcasm here. It had to be done.
 
Jun 26, 2025
302
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I think it’s possible to believe he largely did a very good job prior to this season and think he deserved to lose his job for his performance this season. Not only do I think it’s possible, it’s what I believe.

Franklin finished in the Top 12 of the Final CFP Rankings 7 times - 2016 (#5), 2017 (#9), 2018 (#12), 2019 (#10), 2022 (#11), 2023 (#10) and 2024 (#4). There was no postseason in the 2020 shortened and aborted COVID season. So Franklin was Top 12 in 7 of the last 8 CFP Final Playoff Rankings (7 of 9 if you want to count this year) - there are only a handful of programs/coaches that did better over the span, but some of you loonies believe there is a long list of coaches that did better which is utterly laughable.

Kraft has utterly destabilized the program and created a situation where one of the most objectively successful coaches in the nation, especially in terms of the current National Championship Playoff standard, is going to be landing at another D1A Program and likely taking a large portion of PSU's roster with him (and whatever 3-Deep talent doesn't take will likely be poached by other programs). This situation that Kraft has created is quite unprecedented - he has largely created his biggest problem by putting one of the 6 most successful coaches in the CFP Rankings Model on the open market with PSU's roster as a sweetener for whoever hires him. Utterly insane what Kraft has done.
 

Connorpozlee

All-American
Aug 29, 2013
2,802
5,399
113
Franklin finished in the Top 12 of the Final CFP Rankings 7 times - 2016 (#5), 2017 (#9), 2018 (#12), 2019 (#10), 2022 (#11), 2023 (#10) and 2024 (#4). There was no postseason in the 2020 shortened and aborted COVID season. So Franklin was Top 12 in 7 of the last 8 CFP Final Playoff Rankings (7 of 9 if you want to count this year) - there are only a handful of programs/coaches that did better over the span, but some of you loonies believe there is a long list of coaches that did better which is utterly laughable.

Kraft has utterly destabilized the program and created a situation where one of the most objectively successful coaches in the nation, especially in terms of the current National Championship Playoff standard, is going to be landing at another D1A Program and likely taking a large portion of PSU's roster with him (and whatever 3-Deep talent doesn't take will likely be poached by other programs). This situation that Kraft has created is quite unprecedented - he has largely created his biggest problem by putting one of the 6 most successful coaches in the CFP Rankings Model on the open market with PSU's roster as a sweetener for whoever hires him. Utterly insane what Kraft has done.
Loonies?
He didn’t do his job this year. It’s as simple as that to me. I’ve already acknowledged that I wouldn’t have fired him even with his futility against good teams. But this year was a spectacular disaster.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
8,450
11,598
113
I think it’s possible to believe he largely did a very good job prior to this season and think he deserved to lose his job for his performance this season. Not only do I think it’s possible, it’s what I believe.
That’s fair. The end result though may not be any better and it may be far worse. So, was it worth it? Only time will tell. I hope it was the right move.
 

uscgpsu

Freshman
Jul 6, 2014
32
73
18
I like Terry Smith, but if he gets the job it's a failure on Kraft's end.

The players are playing hard for him this year, but does that carry over to next season?
The following season....
Year 3 when we are 0-6 or 3-3....

I just think the guys that are laying it on the line for him this year and carrying him off the field are just happy for him after a disasterous season. They read social media, they hear what people say about them and the program.

It's like when the team manager gets to play on Senior Night and scores a basket for the varsity team. The.school and team feel good for him, but are not letting that kid start at point guard in the State playoffs. We all feel good for Terry, but it's not what we want to lead the program in 2026.

If he was able to keep a lot of the recruits that have since decommitted, I'd like the idea of HC TS more than I do right now. If Kevin Brown or any of the higher ranked recruits had stayed committed and said "I love PSU and what Coach Smith brings to the program" then I'd say he has control of the program going forward.
 
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Connorpozlee

All-American
Aug 29, 2013
2,802
5,399
113
That’s fair. The end result though may not be any better and it may be far worse. So, was it worth it? Only time will tell. I hope it was the right move.
Far worse than this year?
Again, this move was made because he completely crapped the bed this year. He was done. Like you, I hope it works out for Penn State, but I didn’t really see much of a choice.
 

Mufasa94

Senior
Jan 9, 2009
1,060
894
113
Actually 6 (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024) - and there was no postseason in 2020,
Again, no postseason in aborted 2020 COVID
There was no postseason in the 2020 shortened and aborted COVID season.
In the real world, there certainly was a post season after the 2020 season.

Just like in the real world, PSU made the playoffs once during Franklin’s tenure.
 
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