New coach

[bluewhiteapos]

It's fairly simple it's just a bad batch of sausage.

In LA the Gov stepped in and took care of things it worked out pretty good for them, see Kiffin. Maybe the Gov of PA needs to step in and fire the entire hierarchy at PS set up a Gov's board until the house cleaning at PS is done and done the right way.

I can’t imagine adding politicians to the academics makes this any smoother.

 

[Bvillebaron]

Which claims? Why are they, not only nonsensical, but beyond nonsensical?

My bad. Misinterpreted your post. Sorry.

 

[PSU4U]

I can’t imagine adding politicians to the academics makes this any smoother.

Sadly it might be the only real fix.

 

[Nitanee1234]

In the end, they all rejected Penn State and in many cases did so for less money.

How do you know Chesney, DeBoer, and Boehm rejected PennState? Don't you have to have an offer before you can reject it? That's like saying you or I rejected Emily Ratajakowski.

 

[Nitanee1234]

They kind of all go together, don’t they?

Can we also blame Franklin because he didn't increase the brand value enough? And if so, does that not justify his firing?

 

[doctornick]

How do you know Chesney, DeBoer, and Boehm rejected PennState? Don't you have to have an offer before you can reject it? That's like saying you or I rejected Emily Ratajakowski.

At least in regards to Chesney, it sounds like he never got an offer but was left dangling in the wind so he went with the offer that he did get with UCLA.

DeBoer sounds like at most he had some early talks with PSU but never proceeded to any serious negotiation (and why would it given his situation at Bama?)

 

[84lion]

Occam's razor: the simplest explanation, with the fewest assumptions, is usually the best one. This massive clusterf**k is not a conspiracy. Kraft simply miscalculated in his valuation of the PSU job and its desirability. He missed opportunities for competent people who would have taken the job by holding out for "home run" hires that were unreasonable.

No one is conspiring to leave PSU without a coach: not the players, Sexton or some nefarious plot at the boardroom level. Kraft just made a mistake and the structure allowed him to make it. The decision on who to offer and when and what time table to follow should not be left to one person. That leads to stupid **** like this.

Another razor might be that Kraft projects so very badly to every candidate that none of them want to work under, for, or with him.

 

[LB99]

For anyone that hasn’t listened to LaVar’s XM radio this morning (Two Pros and a cup of Joe), go take a listen. Wow. He goes scorched earth on Jay and Lubrano. Moreso Jay. Says Jay is short selling PSU behind the scenes and sabotaging the whole program. Also, says he is using Terry as a pawn out of selfishness to attempt to clear Joe’s name. It’s a no holds barred tongue lashing. He also said Jay was leading the charge to get rid of Franklin and insinuated that he had been for some time.

 

[Dbsteel]

I do not think he can do this job in a way that will be required going forward in college football. PSU will need to find someone like Chad Bowen who hopped from ND to USC and put together the #1 class in the country as GM. He is reportedly making 2M. University administrators should take note of this fiasco and restructure the program to prevent a repeat going forward. A future GM should be responsible for managing a recruiting staff, roster construction and compensation, etc. The coach will coach the roster provided. Naturally the HC, OC and DC will have a voice, but recruits will not be pledged to a HC but rather the program. If and when the coach leaves the stability of the program will be safeguarded within such a model.

I like it. Sounds like an NFL model.

 

[NittanyBuff]

If we can't close on Campbell, I'm to the point of giving Smith 3yrs, can't be any worse than Matt Patricia or Jeff Hafley etc.. lol

 

[Nitanee1234]

At least in regards to Chesney, it sounds like he never got an offer but was left dangling in the wind so he went with the offer that he did get with UCLA.

DeBoer sounds like at most he had some early talks with PSU but never proceeded to any serious negotiation (and why would it given his situation at Bama?)

DeBoer said during his press conference there was no interest either way. Maybe that was just to appease 'Bama.

 

[NoBareFeet]

For anyone that hasn’t listened to LaVar’s XM radio this morning (Two Pros and a cup of Joe), go take a listen. Wow. He goes scorched earth on Jay and Lubrano. Moreso Jay. Says Jay is short selling PSU behind the scenes and sabotaging the whole program. Also, says he is using Terry as a pawn out of selfishness to attempt to clear Joe’s name. It’s a no holds barred tongue lashing. He also said Jay was leading the charge to get rid of Franklin and insinuated that he had been for some time.

In what way is Jay in a position to "use" Terry? This sounds like an unhinged, nonsensical conspiracy theory. Makes for good radio, which I'm sure is the whole point...

 

[PAgeologist]

I don't think it became clear that he was this incompetent until earlier this week. I mean, over the past few weeks wouldn't any updates from him have been stuff like "we are talking to X, Y and Z" or "I am offering $A for the HC and $B for the staff". He could have even said he had an agreement in place with Sitake an was ready to announce once ink was dry.

Sure. To the public. I have a tough time believing he operated this entire time in a vacuum and didnt talk to anybody internally. There is just way too much money involved with salaries, donations, stadium upgrades, NIL funds.

If any one of us did our job this poorly would our bosses ignore it for this long? And I dont care if you are a company VP or assistant fry cook at McDonalds. We would all be yanked into an office and fired or at a minimum given very close direct supervision.

Either PSU is loaded with incompetent leadership or the leadership wants the program destroyed. Or both.

 

[Bvillebaron]

Campbell is an elite evaluator and the king of doing more with less. Pair that with a bigger draw in PSU and I think it’s a match made in heaven. This would be an elite hire.

Campbell has never had anything near at his disposal that Franklin did. Give him a big NIL budget and a good GM and watch out.

Just get this done and I’ll forget the last week and a half.

Yes sir multiple Big and Nattys on the immediate horizon. Sarcasm since I don’t think after all that’s happened that he would be a bad hire but msybe we should temper expectations until he coaches a game or two.

 

[Dbsteel]

What else explains this at this point. I have a hard time believing that one person can screw up this bad. Most of the people on this board, who don't know anything about running a program, could have hired a coach by now.

A school that puts 100k in the stands every game and has money to burn shouldn't have this difficult of a time hiring a good coach.

I dont know if its certain players, administration, BoT, or whomever. But something stinks here, and I dont think its just Kraft.

Ya I don't get it.

The program clearly isnt what Penn Staters think it is no matter what the facilities and money say. It might not even be a top 10 job. It has the potential to be, but it just isn't.

But this is a whole other level or ridiculousness. There should be people calling PSU to take a shot at it.

 

[Alphabets]

If we can't close Campbell, it's to the point where I don't even know if Smith would want it at this point. With the release of the leaked audio and being second-fiddle for 2 months now, he may just pursue other options.

So, then what?

 

[LB99]

In what way is Jay in a position to "use" Terry? This sounds like an unhinged, nonsensical conspiracy theory. Makes for good radio, which I'm sure is the whole point...

He’s promoting Terry behind the scenes. Reading between the lines, his way of bringing a “Joe guy” into the position and undermine Kraft. He said there was more info he had because he is privy to private info behind the scenes, but can not run to the radio and divulge alll of it. Said PSU would be better off if Lubrano and Paterno went away and left everyone alone.

 

[PSUFTG]

I don't think it became clear that he was this incompetent until earlier this week.

I would disagree, and everyone is entitled to their opinions - but certainly very few wanted to risk actually looking, seeing it, or admitting it.

Even now, today, after all that has transpired, most fans will keep their heads in the sand - and engage in grotesque contortions to NOT see.
That is not a criticism, just the nature of fandom. Just the way it is. That is why they are fan(atics).

 

[AvgUser]

I tend to agree. Another coach, Matt Campbell, will be getting a substantial raise from his present employer. The book on how to get a raise has been perfected by Penn State

Sadly, the same way PSU lead with how NOT to react to a crisis

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

I think Pat Kraft is a moron, let me get that straight.

But there is also some weird dynamics to this situation that he has no part of - this is getting sabotaged internally (Paterno Apologists) and externally by Franklin/Sexton. Terry Smith is not cut out for this job.

This place sucks man. Such a toxic culture. There are times I'm embarrassed by this place.

 

[NoBareFeet]

He’s promoting Terry behind the scenes. Reading between the lines, his way of bringing a “Joe guy” into the position and undermine Kraft. He said there was more info he had because he is privy to private info behind the scenes, but can not run to the radio and divulge alll of it. Said PSU would be better off if Lubrano and Paterno went away and left everyone alone.

If anyone wants to undermine Kraft, I'm all for it. Kraft simply cannot be a part of this program going forward. Jay for AD!

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Looks like he was pretty much an idiot. I would first give every player a baseline minimal amount than divy it up based on performance.

I agree, I have heard Campbell had reached out to PSU a while back but wouldn't commit until after the season. Who knows? This might have lead to some issues.

He was meeting with the team at 9 am or so I think. Or that's when he is meeting with the University President.

If true, 9am there is 10am here.

 

[JoeBagobagels]

If true, 9am there is 10am here.

Yep, we will see.

 

[LB99]

If anyone wants to undermine Kraft, I'm all for it. Jay for AD!

LaVar also said during the Oregon game, Jay was in the box with Phil Knight and during the Ohio State game he was on the OSU sideline wearing rolled up khakis and black Nike cleats. Said this occurring just after PSU signed the Adidas deal. Since LaVar is a Letterman, is on the sideline for every game, and has a kid on the team, I tend to think he probably has more info than we do.

 

[PAgeologist]

I would disagree, and everyone is entitled to their opinions - but certainly very few wanted to risk actually looking, seeing it, or admitting it.

Even now, today, after all that has transpired, most fans will keep their heads in the sand - and engage in grotesque contortions to NOT see.
That is not a criticism, just the nature of fandom. Just the way it is. That is why they are fan(atics).

I held out as long as I could that Kraft had an actual plan. More than most on here, i think. But he has to go immediately.

 

[Dbsteel]

Well, the flip side is that if he were definitely staying, it's easy to have a quick press conference or media release with a statement to that effect. So in that sense, maybe the silence is good. Because there's often more build up when there is a change especially if some details are being ironed out. So, who knows?


Here's hoping we get some good news today

Its hard to believe we are at the point where we are crossing our fingers for Campbell. Is he really an upgrade over Franklin? I'm sure he's a fine coach, but this whole program needs restructured.

 

[LB99]

If anyone wants to undermine Kraft, I'm all for it. Kraft simply cannot be a part of this program going forward. Jay for AD!

I generally think Kraft has botched this whole thing, however, if some of PSU’s own people are sabotaging the whole thing behind the scenes, it makes a little more sense why he is striking out on everyone.

 

[Nitanee1234]

I think Pat Kraft is a moron, let me get that straight.

But there is also some weird dynamics to this situation that he has no part of - this is getting sabotaged internally (Paterno Apologists) and externally by Franklin/Sexton. Terry Smith is not cut out for this job.

This place sucks man. Such a toxic culture. There are times I'm embarrassed by this place.

Why would Paterno apologists want to sabotage this?

 

[NoBareFeet]

I generally think Kraft has botched this whole thing, however, if some of PSU’s own people are sabotaging the whole thing behind the scenes, it makes a little more sense why he is striking out on everyone.

Listening to him talk for 30 seconds makes it abundantly clear to me why he is striking out on everyone.

 

[doctornick]

Sure. To the public. I have a tough time believing he operated this entire time in a vacuum and didnt talk to anybody internally. There is just way too much money involved with salaries, donations, stadium upgrades, NIL funds.

If any one of us did our job this poorly would our bosses ignore it for this long? And I dont care if you are a company VP or assistant fry cook at McDonalds. We would all be yanked into an office and fired or at a minimum given very close direct supervision.

Either PSU is loaded with incompetent leadership or the leadership wants the program destroyed. Or both.

Wouldn't the people internally up until Monday or so just have been led to believe that Sitake was in the bag and it was just a "dot the i's and cross the t's" step?

 

[Connorpozlee]

LaVar also said during the Oregon game, Jay was in the box with Phil Knight and during the Ohio State game he was on the OSU sideline wearing rolled up khakis and black Nike cleats. Said this occurring just after PSU signed the Adidas deal. Since LaVar is a Letterman, is on the sideline for every game, and has a kid on the team, I tend to think he probably has more info than we do.

He was buddying up with the same Phil Knight who took the Paterno name off of one of his buildings? This whole thing is weird.
I just want a coach. Hopefully Campbell.

 

[NoBareFeet]

LaVar also said during the Oregon game, Jay was in the box with Phil Knight and during the Ohio State game he was on the OSU sideline wearing rolled up khakis and black Nike cleats. Said this occurring just after PSU signed the Adidas deal. Since LaVar is a Letterman, is on the sideline for every game, and has a kid on the team, I tend to think he probably has more info than we do.

Might be an unpopular opinion to some, but if I was in Jay's shoes, I would be a way, way bigger dick to Penn State than he's been over the last 10+ years.

 

[OUIrPSU]

I can’t imagine adding politicians to the academics makes this any smoother.

There are no academics involved in this. It’s all administrators. But you’re not wrong about adding politicians.

 

[doctornick]

For anyone that hasn’t listened to LaVar’s XM radio this morning (Two Pros and a cup of Joe), go take a listen. Wow. He goes scorched earth on Jay and Lubrano. Moreso Jay. Says Jay is short selling PSU behind the scenes and sabotaging the whole program. Also, says he is using Terry as a pawn out of selfishness to attempt to clear Joe’s name. It’s a no holds barred tongue lashing. He also said Jay was leading the charge to get rid of Franklin and insinuated that he had been for some time.

Sadly, this sounds entirely plausible. I'm as big a fan of Joe Paterno as anyone but it has definitely bugged me how Jay had seemed to be fine to let PSU burn in any attempt to try to rehabilitate his father's image. I mean, I want Paterno's legacy to be restored and the school to celebrate him, but it should be possible to do that without infringing on the current state of the school and football program (and that should be the way to pursue it).

 

[Bvillebaron]

Look At the wasteland of Iowa State football before he arrived. For years. He does more with less. If you want to try and tell me James was a good recruiter fine. If you want to tell me he is a good program CEO fine. He is not a good gameday coach.

I don’t oppose the Franklin firing but can we stop with this Franklin is not a good game day coach nonsense? He makes some bad in game decisions just like EVERY damn head coach. I challenged this board to tell me what bad “game day” decision he made a few years ago when a Michigan TIGHT END scored the winning TD late in the game by going like 60 yards on a simple crossing pattern and never got one response. My favorite was the clown reporter who claimed Franklin screwed up by choosing to punt on the first possession on 4th and short on Penn State’s side of midfield in the snow because that “led” to Michigan State then going 99 1/2 yards to go up 14-0 after the punt was downed at the 1/2 yard line (to say nothing about his lousy game day decision later in that game to have his DB give up the game losing TD on 4th and 15 and the lousy call to have the defense let OSU score the first of the two TDs it needed to score in the last 8 minutes on a long screen pass when it looked like they never saw that type of play before a few years ago. Unless you watch every game ISU has played under Campbell like you have the Penn State games you have no basis to claim he is a better game day coach. And I say this as someone who thinks he would be a good hire especially at this stage of the process.

 

[RolexKong]

He’s promoting Terry behind the scenes. Reading between the lines, his way of bringing a “Joe guy” into the position and undermine Kraft. He said there was more info he had because he is privy to private info behind the scenes, but can not run to the radio and divulge alll of it. Said PSU would be better off if Lubrano and Paterno went away and left everyone alone.

If Jay had the level of influence that Lavar intimates and he were promoting Terry, this would be over already.

LaVar also said during the Oregon game, Jay was in the box with Phil Knight and during the Ohio State game he was on the OSU sideline wearing rolled up khakis and black Nike cleats. Said this occurring just after PSU signed the Adidas deal. Since LaVar is a Letterman, is on the sideline for every game, and has a kid on the team, I tend to think he probably has more info than we do.

So is Jay calling all of the coaching candidates out there and telling them to spurn PSU's overtures? Lavar isn't very bright, but we knew that when he hung the "II" on his kid.

 

[PAgeologist]

Ya I don't get it.

The program clearly isnt what Penn Staters think it is no matter what the facilities and money say. It might not even be a top 10 job. It has the potential to be, but it just isn't.

But this is a whole other level or ridiculousness. There should be people calling PSU to take a shot at it.

I have a tough time believing that PSU isn't a top destination for a lot of coaches. Aside from very few programs, PSU should match or exceed any other program in most metrics.

If it isn't a top destination in many coaches eyes, somebody needs to figure out why. And fast.

 

[bluewhiteapos]

Why would Paterno apologists want to sabotage this?

Not that I subscribe to this, but I believe the theory being put forth is the “apologists” are torpedoing candidates in favor of Smith, because Smith is a Paterno guy.

 

[OUIrPSU]

If Jay had the level of influence that Lavar intimates and he were promoting Terry, this would be over already.


So is Jay calling all of the coaching candidates out there and telling them to spurn PSU's overtures? Lavar isn't very bright, but we knew that when he hung the "II" on his kid.

Good insight on both.

 

[VT00]

it has definitely bugged me how Jay had seemed to be fine to let PSU burn in any attempt to try to rehabilitate his father's image.

He would also never want to see another coach reach national championship level success.