New coach

LB99

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I’m starting a new poll. What has the athletic dept botched worse? This coaching search OR the allocation of student tickets?
 
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PSUForever

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Every day is an eternity. If the current players are getting frustrated, it’s only going to get worse internally. It’s damage control now. Kraft seems in over his head at this point.
He is not in over his head. There is no damage control. Damage control is relevant when there is something really bad that occurs. What has happened that is really bad? Stop over dramatizing this. You have no inside information on the search or what Kraft has done. It is not like there is some core group of highly rated guys in the '26 class that are all going to bail between now and next Sunday.

We are going to need to rebuild the roster and will need the new coach to bring guys with him while fully leveraging the portal. I am hopeful our best returning players stick with the program. I don't think one week makes a difference to guys like Howard, Cousins, Rapp, Reynolds, Denmark, Rojas, Coleman, Granville Dixon, Tatsch, etc
 

PSUSignore

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Exactly. If it were Hartline then they should announce it today and say he will join PSU after the CCG. If all is in place, there's no downside to announcing now and only upside. Just because he's announced doesn't mean he has to start immediately.

I actually think the fact that it hasn't been announced points away from Hartline. There's virtually no reason not to announce the hiring of a position coach. More likely that it's a current head coach* if there is an agreement in place but not announced.

*Edit: specifically a current head coach going into a CCG
There's downside... for OSU. So they may not allow that and if it's Hartline he certainly doesn't want to burn bridges as he likely is hoping to be the head coach there at some point.
 

PSUForever

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Pretty dramatic if you want to try to poach any players for early signing (or at least to keep any from signing and to stay in play for the later period) and to keep any good current players from leaving. The sooner the current team knows who will be coach next year, the easier it is to convince them to stay compared to complete uncertainty.
We don't know but we don't know what has been communicated to current players and recruits.
 

PSUForever

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Well, the early signing period for HS recruits is Dec 3-5. It’s a total punt on that at this point and the current roster is getting restless.
So we hire a coach today and we miraculously flip some kid in two days with a coach they don't even know who was committed to Michigan for 9 months for example?
 
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WaffleShopper

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There's downside... for OSU. So they may not allow that and if it's Hartline he certainly doesn't want to burn bridges as he likely is hoping to be the head coach there at some point.
I’ve had a similar thought. Even though Chesney is my #1, I think it will be Hartline. And it’s possible that Hartline got bullied into holding off on the announcement until after the CCG so that OSU can keep their 2026 class together. Not that he was given that reasoning but that would be Day’s motivation.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
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He is not in over his head. There is no damage control. Damage control is relevant when there is something really bad that occurs. What has happened that is really bad? Stop over dramatizing this. You have no inside information on the search or what Kraft has done. It is not like there is some core group of highly rated guys in the '26 class that are all going to bail between now and next Sunday.

We are going to need to rebuild the roster and will need the new coach to bring guys with him while fully leveraging the portal. I am hopeful our best returning players stick with the program. I don't think one week makes a difference to guys like Howard, Cousins, Rapp, Reynolds, Denmark, Rojas, Coleman, Granville Dixon, Tatsch, etc
Sorry Krafty. I did realize that was you.
It is not Meyer. C'mon be rational here.
I was responding to another post that said he was still in play. It was sarcasm. I didn’t bring it up and I don’t think it is Meyer.
 

PSUForever

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This is exactly what I believe to be the case. I feel confident that we've got our man already and that those that need to know already know who it is. I think it's either Chesney or Hartline. IMO, it's Chesney.
Yep, that is where am. I tend to think it is Chesney also. Although I can see it being Hartline. I can see him leaving after the game vs Indiana this Saturday. Day could assume his responsibilities for their playoff run.
 

PSUForever

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Could be both, Meyer as HC, already hired via an MOU or similar, with Hartline as OC/Coach-in-waiting. Which would explain why this wouldn't be announced until after the CCG at the earliest, and why there is no perceived rush.
This sounds like fantasy land from wishful Penn State fans trying to get Ohio State coaches.

I'll give you the fact we may get Hartline but this story of a package deal with Meyer and yada,yada,yada....no.
 

PSUSignore

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Not everyone is going to sign during the early signing process
The new coach is also unlikely to close in 3 days--anyone that has interest in coming here can wait or rush--that's on them
I'm just saying that can't impact the timeline
90% of the meaningful recruits do sign in the early window though. If Kraft wants them to hold out for the late signing day he may have to spill the beans on the hire to them, which risks it being leaked. If I'm a recruit or a recruit's family I'm not waiting if I have other offers I like in hand purely based on promises that we already have our guy and it's someone I'll like. The business is too cutthroat to be that trusting. Besides, if I sign elsewhere and Kraft really does have the guy I like I can just transfer next year anyway.

Assuming you are right and it's Hartline, I don't expect him to bring a ton of recruits with him. Some, yes. But pulling a ton of players from a program like OSU would be very, very difficult, and we are going to need a ton of them.
 
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PSUSignore

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He is not in over his head. There is no damage control. Damage control is relevant when there is something really bad that occurs. What has happened that is really bad? Stop over dramatizing this. You have no inside information on the search or what Kraft has done. It is not like there is some core group of highly rated guys in the '26 class that are all going to bail between now and next Sunday.

We are going to need to rebuild the roster and will need the new coach to bring guys with him while fully leveraging the portal. I am hopeful our best returning players stick with the program. I don't think one week makes a difference to guys like Howard, Cousins, Rapp, Reynolds, Denmark, Rojas, Coleman, Granville Dixon, Tatsch, etc
The one week doesn't matter for the portal, it just impact the incoming high school kids. There was always a chance we could flip some of the decommits back to PSU if we announced a hire they like before signing day. If we wait a week that is no longer possible, and increases the numbers will need to get via transfer either from those that come along with the new coach, or from the portal in January.
 

PSUForever

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Exactly. If it were Hartline then they should announce it today and say he will join PSU after the CCG. If all is in place, there's no downside to announcing now and only upside. Just because he's announced doesn't mean he has to start immediately.

I actually think the fact that it hasn't been announced points away from Hartline. There's virtually no reason not to announce the hiring of a position coach. More likely that it's a current head coach* if there is an agreement in place but not announced.

*Edit: specifically a current head coach going into a CCG
I can see that and why it is probably Chesney over Hartline. I can see it being Hartline though, Krafty may have agreed to a request by Hartline to keep it quiet for a week and allow OSU to fully focus on the CCG and not create a media circus. We are only talking about 6 days, certainly plausible.
 
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pendal1

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Yep, that is where am. I tend to think it is Chesney also. Although I can see it being Hartline. I can see him leaving after the game vs Indiana this Saturday. Day could assume his responsibilities for their playoff run.
But if it's Chesney why not announce it. That would provide some stability for our program. I mean he's at JMU and and his future employer, Penn State Football, is in a different stratosphere than JMU and we can't announce it. I don't get it.
 

PSUForever

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I agree that I'd rather Chesney next week than most other options today (and especially Smith) but I'd rather Chesney today than him next week.

I agree that I'd rather Chesney next week than most other options today (and especially Smith) but I'd rather Chesney today than him next week.
Doesn't matter in the big picture. Do we beat Michigan or Washington or USC next year if our coach was hired today but we lose to them if he is hired in a week?
 

KingLando

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90% of the meaningful recruits do sign in the early window though. If Kraft wants them to hold out for the late signing day he may have to spill the beans on the hire to them, which risks it being leaked. If I'm a recruit or a recruit's family I'm not waiting if I have other offers I like in hand purely based on promises that we already have our guy and it's someone I'll like. The business is too cutthroat to be that trusting. Besides, if I sign elsewhere and Kraft really does have the guy I like I can just transfer next year anyway.

Assuming you are right and it's Hartline, I don't expect him to bring a ton of recruits with him. Some, yes. But pulling a ton of players from a program like OSU would be very, very difficult, and we are going to need a ton of them.
You're right...everyone can just transfer again next year and maybe 2-3 freshman make a major impact so is it a big deal?
Hartline may not bring any kids committed to Ohio State but he likely can pull in other kids he has a relationship with.
 
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PSUForever

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The announcement doesn’t have to be next week. Sumrall was announced as the Florida coach today and he’s still coaching Tulane next week as far as I know.

Man, everyone is talking up Chesney. Honestly, I never heard of him until about a month ago, but there are some major Chesney fans on here. I sure hope they are right if he is the guy. He’s going to have a ton of pressure on him.
Not your job to have heard of him. It is Kraft's. Most people probably had not heard of him two months ago but that doesn't mean he can't coach.
 

PSUForever

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The longer it drags on, the more I'd be convinced that it is a current head coach with a pending CCG who wants to do right by those players and not disrupt that. There would be no reason for a non-head coach not to leave or at least be announced.

Granted the same sentiment would also apply if said team is going to the CFP but if you are going to take over a new team, you can't wait until late December to get going. So I think in the slim chance the coach in question is heading a CFP team, they'd have to leave before the playoffs.

So anyway, I'm guessing that if Kraft is actually organized and doing a good job that it is Chesney or Sitake (or I guess DeBour as a huge longshot). If someone is not already in the bag then Kraft has f'ed up big time.

Edit: I'd also put Diaz as a real possibility as one of the coaches with a game next week.
It is definitely a coach involved in the playoff. Can't be anyone else at this point unless we hear an announcement on Monday or Tuesday (very doubtful). That leaves Chesney and Hartline. It is one of those two. I think it is Chesney. If not then I eat my words.
 
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PSUForever

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PSUForever

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But if it's Chesney why not announce it. That would provide some stability for our program. I mean he's at JMU and and his future employer, Penn State Football, is in a different stratosphere than JMU and we can't announce it. I don't get it.
He has a championship game and then highly likely his season is over. Kraft could have agreed to wait a week. I know the Tulane guy was announced but different personalities. Also Tulane has a better shot at the playoff vs JMU so they did it now. Chesney may not have to look like he bailed on his playoff team by waiting a week.
 

Zone-Blitz

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Oct 27, 2013
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He has a championship game and then highly likely his season is over. Kraft could have agreed to wait a week. I know the Tulane guy was announced but different personalities. Also Tulane has a better shot at the playoff vs JMU so they did it now. Chesney may not have to look like he bailed on his playoff team by waiting a week.
If Kraft agreed to wait a week so to not hurt feelings at JMU, then he’s not qualified to be the AD at PSU, cause that’s absolutely insane, which i highly doubt that’s the case. Signing day is Wednesday, if Chesney is the hire then he starts immediately. This is Penn State for godsake. Ohio State would never think like this.
 

KingLando

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At this point the entire search has been botched regardless of the pick. All the recruits are gone, the seniors are gone, and a good number of kids are going to portal out, no matter who he gets. Kraft failed.
If the recruits are gone thats on Terry
Of course the seniors are gone and kids will.portal out...that will happen everywhere with a change.
 

bdgan

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I listened to Tengwall and he made it sound like the window for signing NIL contracts goes from this Wednesday to Friday or else you have to wait for what's left in mid February.
 
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fastlax16

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Jan 1, 2014
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If the recruits are gone thats on Terry
Of course the seniors are gone and kids will.portal out...that will happen everywhere with a change.

Terry isn't the head coach. It isn't the interim's job to hold a recruiting class together.
 

fastlax16

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Jan 1, 2014
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It 100% is

Agree to disagree. He isn't the head coach, isn't going to be the head coach next year and everyone knows it, including commits. He has absolutely nothing he can sell them (not his fault). This time next month Terry is gonna be showing up to work in maroon. Lame ducks gonna lame duck.

At least Franklin is gone though...
 

KingLando

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Agree to disagree. He isn't the head coach, isn't going to be the head coach next year and everyone knows it, including commits. He has absolutely nothing he can sell them (not his fault). This time next month Terry is gonna be showing up to work in maroon. Lame ducks gonna lame duck.

At least Franklin is gone though...
Why did every other coach in his position hold the class together?
Who's job was it?
Had he held the class together someone might hire him someday to be a HC but clearly he's not capable...but we can agree to disagree.
 
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Terry isn't the head coach. It isn't the interim's job to hold a recruiting class together.

This is obvious to any rational person, but look at the tool who is claiming the opposite. An Interim HC has no authority to retain a roster or recruit a class (regardless of whether hs or X-fer) - Interim HC has no authority to cut future NIL deals. What's he going to retain or recruit with - promises that "if he becomes HC", he will do this or that??? Utterly laughably ridiculous to claim a named "Interim HC" has any authority to cut NIL deals for the 2026 season - they absolutely do not, but you're arguing with the biggest laughable moron tools on the board.