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TheWizardofCamelot

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2015
1,035
1,437
113
I don't think it needs said, but I'm relieved to see Danny Obrien leave. What a disaster. I think at one point he was thought of as an up and comer - but man, his lack of development of Clifford and Allar were staggering. He took the #1 recruit in the country and sent him to the "almost undraftable" category. And the same issues persisted over his career - footwork, mechanics, seeing the whole field, down the field awareness, etc.

Tech fans probably won't realize this now - but the OC Howle + QB Obrien + HC Franklin combo would be my biggest nightmare.
 
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PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,994
7,368
113
TheWizardofCamelot said:
I don't think it needs said, but I'm relieved to see Danny Obrien leave. What a disaster. I think at one point he was thought of as an up and comer - but man, his lack of development of Clifford and Allar were staggering. He took the #1 recruit in the country and sent him to the "almost undraftable" category. And the same issues persisted over his career - footwork, mechanics, seeing the whole field, down the field awareness, etc.

Tech fans probably won't realize this now - but the OC Howle + QB Obrien + HC Franklin combo would be my biggest nightmare.
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We will miss Howel for at least a while, but Obrien will be very forgettable imo. I think Jay Paterno could have done a better job.
 
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Zone-Blitz

Senior
Oct 27, 2013
174
408
63
Bwifan said:
Agree I would like to keep Drayton. He wasn't here long enough to have a large impact on recruiting. If he stays hopefully has the relationship with Spell and could convince him to stay with PSU.
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It’s 2025. $$$ is what convinces Spell, not Stan Drayton
 
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PrtLng Lion

All-Conference
Nov 25, 2017
1,112
1,709
113
TheWizardofCamelot said:
I don't think it needs said, but I'm relieved to see Danny Obrien leave. What a disaster. I think at one point he was thought of as an up and comer - but man, his lack of development of Clifford and Allar were staggering. He took the #1 recruit in the country and sent him to the "almost undraftable" category. And the same issues persisted over his career - footwork, mechanics, seeing the whole field, down the field awareness, etc.

Tech fans probably won't realize this now - but the OC Howle + QB Obrien + HC Franklin combo would be my biggest nightmare.
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And the fact that Franklin WANTED to re-create that group in VT is very telling. Loyalty over results.
 
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PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,994
7,368
113
doctornick said:
So, it seems like Campbell is slow to announce his coaching staff. I wonder if that is intentionally to see how many coaches get hired away (potentially by VA Tech) to avoid having to have PSU pay any contracted salary? Or course that would matter more for Knowles or Kotelnicki and it doesn't seem like either is heading out so they will probably have to be let go.

Edit: maybe Kotelnicki goes back to Kansas as it sounds like they were disappointed with their current OC
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All options for the current coaches are on the table. It will take a couple days for Campbel to figure out the lay of the land, same with players. It is entirely possible both coordinators stay imo.

Certainly, Knowles has a contract that Kraft may not want to dump but maybe Campbell would if he can have a similar or better coordinator suiting his style going forward for less and have a few more dollars to spread across the staff.

I know he's supposedly bringing his DC with him but no one seems to know in what capacity. I have never liked that 3-3-5 D as a base D especially in the rough and tumble Big 10.
I like it against pass happy teams and to mix it in during some games but that's about it. The 4-2-5 is a far better base defense in this league. I thought Manny Diaz and again this year Terry Smith proved that on the field. The 4-3-4 and occasionally a disguised 4-4-3 depending upon the need is a wonderful combination for the Big 10.

I have always prized multiple defenses and multiple offenses over the years. Your ability to mix them in and disguise them is the trick.
 
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Bwifan

All-Conference
Oct 12, 2021
2,572
4,530
113
PSU4U said:
All options for the current coaches are on the table. It will take a couple days for Campbel to figure out the lay of the land, same with players. It is entirely possible both coordinators stay imo.

Certainly, Knowles has a contract that Kraft may not want to dump but maybe Campbell would if he can have a similar or better coordinator suiting his style going forward for less and have a few more dollars to spread across the staff.

I know he's supposedly bringing his DC with him but no one seems to know in what capacity. I have never liked that 3-3-5 D as a base D especially in the rough and tumble Big 10.
I like it against pass happy teams and to mix it in during some games but that's about it. The 4-2-4 is a far better base defense in this league. I thought Manny Diaz and again this year Terry Smith proved that on the field. The 4-2-4 the 4-3-3 and occasionally a disguised 4-4-3 depending upon the need is a wonderful combination for the Big 10.

I have always prized multiple defenses and multiple offenses over the years. Your ability to mix them in and disguise them is the trick.
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Some reports floating around that Tennessee is interested in Knowles and Knowles has been informed he is not being retained.
 
B

Bison13

All-American
May 26, 2013
3,064
5,000
113
PSU4U said:
All options for the current coaches are on the table. It will take a couple days for Campbel to figure out the lay of the land, same with players. It is entirely possible both coordinators stay imo.

Certainly, Knowles has a contract that Kraft may not want to dump but maybe Campbell would if he can have a similar or better coordinator suiting his style going forward for less and have a few more dollars to spread across the staff.

I know he's supposedly bringing his DC with him but no one seems to know in what capacity. I have never liked that 3-3-5 D as a base D especially in the rough and tumble Big 10.
I like it against pass happy teams and to mix it in during some games but that's about it. The 4-2-4 is a far better base defense in this league. I thought Manny Diaz and again this year Terry Smith proved that on the field. The 4-2-4 the 4-3-3 and occasionally a disguised 4-4-3 depending upon the need is a wonderful combination for the Big 10.

I have always prized multiple defenses and multiple offenses over the years. Your ability to mix them in and disguise them is the trick.
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Those don’t all add up to 11 players
 
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step.eng69

step.eng69

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2012
3,331
4,565
113
www.on3.com

Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will not be with the Lions in 2026

Penn State football and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles are parting ways after just one season in State College.
www.on3.com www.on3.com

Penn State football and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles are parting ways after just one season in State College, sources told BWI’s Nate Bauer and On3’s Pete Nakos. Bauer reported on Dec. 10 that Knowles was not expected to return to be part of new head coach Matt Campbell’s staff.
 
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Anon231980

Junior
Dec 9, 2025
100
266
53
Bwifan said:
The amazing thing to me is Knowles chooses PSU believing Franklin is secure, been here a long time, has the backing of administration and alumni. He figures he can stay here a long time. Never did anyone think the wheels would come off so quickly for Franklin at PSU.
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Not necessarily. It was public that he had a "difference of opinion" with Larry Johnson on how to play the DE's. In addition, the amount of money has was offered by PSU. Longevity with Franklin was probably third at that point, however, he has been in coaching long enough to understand nothing is a sure thing.
 
NedFromYork

NedFromYork

Freshman
Aug 29, 2001
48
66
18
PSU4U said:
All options for the current coaches are on the table. It will take a couple days for Campbel to figure out the lay of the land, same with players. It is entirely possible both coordinators stay imo.

Certainly, Knowles has a contract that Kraft may not want to dump but maybe Campbell would if he can have a similar or better coordinator suiting his style going forward for less and have a few more dollars to spread across the staff.

I know he's supposedly bringing his DC with him but no one seems to know in what capacity. I have never liked that 3-3-5 D as a base D especially in the rough and tumble Big 10.
I like it against pass happy teams and to mix it in during some games but that's about it. The 4-2-4 is a far better base defense in this league. I thought Manny Diaz and again this year Terry Smith proved that on the field. The 4-2-4 the 4-3-3 and occasionally a disguised 4-4-3 depending upon the need is a wonderful combination for the Big 10.

I have always prized multiple defenses and multiple offenses over the years. Your ability to mix them in and disguise them is the trick.
Click to expand...
Now I see what most of our problems on defense have been, a lot of the time we are playing with 10 players!!!! 🤣
 
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Pointingdogsrule

Junior
Oct 12, 2021
149
283
63
Efejle said:
Good. We have an entire new team coming in next year and it takes 3 years to learn his defense. Let another team be mass confused at the line of scrimmage before every play.
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Like there wasn’t mass confusion this year? How many of the current players even stay? Starting over seems inevitable, either way.
 
1

13th Grade

Redshirt
Oct 13, 2021
8
15
3
mfb5053 said:
How much do you think these coaches waste in closing costs?
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I know for a fact a previous coordinator (under Franklin) leased a house from its owner rather than buy a home. It was probably financially beneficial for both parties because the homeowner made bank, and the coordinator knew enough to expect change within a couple years- which ended up being the case- and could pull up stakes quickly and easily.
 
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mfb5053

Senior
Jan 15, 2017
252
494
63
13th Grade said:
I know for a fact a previous coordinator (under Franklin) leased a house from its owner rather than buy a home. It was probably financially beneficial for both parties because the homeowner made bank, and the coordinator knew enough to expect change within a couple years- which ended up being the case- and could pull up stakes quickly and easily.
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I mean it makes sense. These guys job hop all the time.
 
CyphaPSU

CyphaPSU

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2021
1,218
2,124
113
Campbell names Taylor Mouser as his OC. Been with Campbell since their days at Toledo. Not a shocking hire. Will see if he can coordinate well against a B1G schedule.
 
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D

Dbsteel

Junior
Jan 15, 2014
157
221
43
Bwifan said:
The amazing thing to me is Knowles chooses PSU believing Franklin is secure, been here a long time, has the backing of administration and alumni. He figures he can stay here a long time. Never did anyone think the wheels would come off so quickly for Franklin at PSU.
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Yup, Im sure he is pretty stunned and regrets the news. Why didn't Franklin pick up the phone and bring his big hire to VT?
 
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PSU4U

All-American
Aug 6, 2019
6,994
7,368
113
CyphaPSU said:
Campbell names Taylor Mouser as his OC. Been with Campbell since their days at Toledo. Not a shocking hire. Will see if he can coordinate well against a B1G schedule.
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Drawing up X's and O's is pretty much the same at any level the difference is the talent and speed at which the game is played. Like Franny Ganter used to say it's not so much about the X's and O's but more about the Jimmies and the Joes. However the one big difference between the two leagues is the Big Tens ability to viciously run the football. As always the game is won and lost in the Land of the Giants.
 
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