So I'm hearing it's down to

Rudy4526

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There's always risk---the risk with Elko is worth it.
You're incorrect--coaches accept jobs all the time before the season ends
You again think this is all about the money...he'll absolutely know what he'll be paid and they can set different contract based on how far A&M goes. Like every coaching negotiation that has ever happened. You clearly don't work with contracts at all.
So he agreed and signs but in the event he wins it all they adjust the bonus on contract
 

barry j fenchak

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Which is also why I argue with a lot of the "best job" arguments regarding the current openings.
Who the heck wants to live in Baton Rouge?
A coach that is interested in winning a title. Those corndog bumpkins seem to know what is required, they have 3 in this century alone. Refresh my memory as to how many PS has this century?
 

rudedude

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But does Pat Kraft? He likely wouldn’t survive firing Franklin and then having a Chesney hire not work out. The fair weather fans would turn on him fast.
He is not gonna survive unless the new hire gets to the playoffs in 2 or 3 years
 
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WaffleShopper

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There's always risk---the risk with Elko is worth it.
You're incorrect--coaches accept jobs all the time before the season ends
You again think this is all about the money...he'll absolutely know what he'll be paid and they can set different contract based on how far A&M goes. Like every coaching negotiation that has ever happened. You clearly don't work with contracts at all.
You’re right I’ve never “worked with contracts” 😂

And the best agent around advised his client to sign something now and give up all leverage with Penn State and everyone else because neither he nor Elko care about money.
 
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KingLando

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You’re right I’ve never “worked with contracts” 😂

And the best agent around advised his client to sign something now and give up all leverage with Penn State and everyone else because neither he nor Elko care about money.
You're not comprehending anything about how contracts are negotiated...at all. It's terrifying yet so predictable.
 

OhioLion

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I refuse to believe that we are sitting here, three weeks from the date JF was fired, with one interview completed.

One interview publicly known maybe....
Okay, I must’ve under a rock inside a cave on the side of a snow-covered mountain. Who has officially been interviewed?
 

WaffleShopper

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You're not comprehending anything about how contracts are negotiated...at all. It's terrifying yet so predictable.
I understand perfectly. Elko wants to be in the worst possible position to negotiate so he will sign a contract long before the playoffs even start. He’ll then continue to coach A&M and try to win a championship while doing no preparation for his new job even though he wanted that job so badly that he was ok taking less money for it. Of course nobody will find out about this new contract including the players or his assistant coaches (because you see he’s not even building his new staff yet). And even if the players do find out they will still play as hard as ever and will have no issue with the fact that their coach would rather be somewhere else.

Then after the playoffs are over and his new contract with Penn State is adjusted based on how his other team performed, he will finally head to Happy Valley at the end of January to begin his new job, more than a month after agreeing to it and after most guys in the portal are gone and there’s less than two weeks until signing day.
 

Nits1989

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I understand perfectly. Elko wants to be in the worst possible position to negotiate so he will sign a contract long before the playoffs even start. He’ll then continue to coach A&M and try to win a championship while doing no preparation for his new job even though he wanted that job so badly that he was ok taking less money for it. Of course nobody will find out about this new contract including the players or his assistant coaches (because you see he’s not even building his new staff yet). And even if the players do find out they will still play as hard as ever and will have no issue with the fact that their coach would rather be somewhere else.

Then after the playoffs are over and his new contract with Penn State is adjusted based on how his other team performed, he will finally head to Happy Valley at the end of January to begin his new job, more than a month after agreeing to it and after most guys in the portal are gone and there’s less than two weeks until signing day.
Why do you insist that Elko or his people can’t be talking? Even in my field (law), people negotiate while still employed and working on big projects. People get voted out of firms behind their backs. People negotiate with new firms secretly and steal clients from their old firm. It happens everywhere. I’m not saying Elko is talking with PSU because I have no idea. But it’s not absurd like you are saying. PSU isn’t as bad as you suggest, and A&M isn’t as great as you suggest.
 
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KingLando

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I understand perfectly. Elko wants to be in the worst possible position to negotiate so he will sign a contract long before the playoffs even start. He’ll then continue to coach A&M and try to win a championship while doing no preparation for his new job even though he wanted that job so badly that he was ok taking less money for it. Of course nobody will find out about this new contract including the players or his assistant coaches (because you see he’s not even building his new staff yet). And even if the players do find out they will still play as hard as ever and will have no issue with the fact that their coach would rather be somewhere else.

Then after the playoffs are over and his new contract with Penn State is adjusted based on how his other team performed, he will finally head to Happy Valley at the end of January to begin his new job, more than a month after agreeing to it and after most guys in the portal are gone and there’s less than two weeks until signing day.
Thank you for proving you don't have any clue what you're talking about.
 

KingLando

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Why do you insist that Elko or his people can’t be talking? Even in my field (law), people negotiate while still employed and working on big projects. People get voted out of firms behind their backs. People negotiate with new firms secretly and steal clients from their old firm. It happens everywhere. I’m not saying Elko is talking with PSU because I have no idea. But it’s not absurd like you are saying. PSU isn’t as bad as you suggest, and A&M isn’t as great as you suggest.
He knows more than those of us that do this for a living lol. Thank you for trying to explain it to him on a kindergarten level.
 
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Rudy4526

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He knows more than those of us that do this for a living lol. Thank you for trying to explain it to him on a kindergarten level.
Agree PK could have this deal done already and is just waiting for right time to have press conference.
 

ConcealedCarry

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I’m not saying there wasn’t a change, but many programs go through a dry patch and work their way out of it. Up until recently, PSU was one of the most stable programs in the country. Consistent 10+ win seasons, high profile bowl games, good draft picks etc. Somewhere along the way, we decided that wasn’t good enough and Franklin wasn’t going to be given a chance to turn it around. It’s a gamble. Time will tell if it pays off.

Tough time to go through a dry patch when your spose to win a National Tile or at least make the playoff.
He had ample opportunity to recognize that his philosophy on the offensive side of the ball needed to change. Run first, pass second, develop an aggressive O Line that was taught how to properly RUN BLOCK.
 

ConcealedCarry

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Ok. We can play that game. Paterno should have been fired after the Toledo game. Or the 6-4 game. Or at the conclusion of the 1999 debacle. Or after the embarrassing loss at home to Michigan in 1997. Or after the embarrassing loss at Michigan State in 1997. Or at any point during the 2000, 2001, 2003, or 2004 seasons. Or after the lackluster bowl loss to Auburn in 2002 when LJ Jr publicly blasted the coaching staff for being too predictable and vanilla. Should I type it in bold like a toddler having a temper tantrum and pretending that makes it mean more?

Who are those that know?

Or are you making that up?
Perhaps; but we are talking about today! FRANKLIN.
 

WaffleShopper

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Why do you insist that Elko or his people can’t be talking? Even in my field (law), people negotiate while still employed and working on big projects. People get voted out of firms behind their backs. People negotiate with new firms secretly and steal clients from their old firm. It happens everywhere. I’m not saying Elko is talking with PSU because I have no idea. But it’s not absurd like you are saying. PSU isn’t as bad as you suggest, and A&M isn’t as great as you suggest.
I never said they’re not talking. Of course they’re talking. We’re talking to dozens of people.
 

WaffleShopper

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Agree PK could have this deal done already and is just waiting for right time to have press conference.
Only way there is a signed deal with anybody right now is if it’s Hartline or another assistant like Brady. Best Kraft can do with Elko is agree to something in principle but Elko’s not signing any contract more than a month before the season is over and 2 months before the playoffs even begin. It’s a huge conflict of interest.

And there is a pretty big risk in Kraft making a verbal agreement with a coach who will be coaching for another 2 months and will be fielding offers and counter offers from other schools, including his own school who will very much want to keep him. Coaches break those agreements all the time since it’s not legally binding, there’s been several prominent cases of it happening in college football.
 

Rudy4526

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Only way there is a signed deal with anybody right now is if it’s Hartline or another assistant like Brady. Best Kraft can do with Elko is agree to something in principle but Elko’s not signing any contract more than a month before the season is over and 2 months before the playoffs even begin. It’s a huge conflict of interest.

And there is a pretty big risk in Kraft making a verbal agreement with a coach who will be coaching for another 2 months and will be fielding offers and counter offers from other schools, including his own school who will very much want to keep him. Coaches break those agreements all the time since it’s not legally binding, there’s been several prominent cases of it happening in college football.
Thanks for info makes sense
 

KingLando

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Only way there is a signed deal with anybody right now is if it’s Hartline or another assistant like Brady. Best Kraft can do with Elko is agree to something in principle but Elko’s not signing any contract more than a month before the season is over and 2 months before the playoffs even begin. It’s a huge conflict of interest.

And there is a pretty big risk in Kraft making a verbal agreement with a coach who will be coaching for another 2 months and will be fielding offers and counter offers from other schools, including his own school who will very much want to keep him. Coaches break those agreements all the time since it’s not legally binding, there’s been several prominent cases of it happening in college football.
You understand that they can reach an agreement with varying pay structures depending on countless outcomes, right?
It's honestly insane that you're not comprehending this.
Elko isn't looking for a pay day here. He's not going to Florida or LSU. He's only considering this because of family wishes.
You're way too worried about something going wrong. This is all typical
 
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WaffleShopper

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You understand that they can reach an agreement with varying pay structures depending on countless outcomes, right?
It's honestly insane that you're not comprehending this.
Elko isn't looking for a pay day here. He's not going to Florida or LSU. He's only considering this because of family wishes.
You're way too worried about something going wrong. This is all typical
Verbal agreements are essentially meaningless, especially in big college sports, and especially in this case so far before the end of the season when 1000 different things can happen. Coaches pull verbal offers from recruits all the time. Coaches back out of verbal agreements with new schools all the time.

Right before Alabama hired Saban they had verbal agreements with 2 separate head coaches who BOTH backed out and stayed with their current teams. Wonder where Alabama would be now if they got RichRod instead of Saban. If that happens to Kraft in late January I guarantee we’re not getting somebody like Nick Saban because there will be nobody left to hire. In that case we’re taking the “interim” label off of Terry Smith’s title and Kraft’s job might actually be in jeopardy.
 

PSU4U

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I'm fine with Brohm so if that's true that's great
In this game nothing is a sure thing but Brohm has certainly warmed up to PS. As an aside the hottest new names being bantered about are the O and D coordinators of Indiana. I'm not on that train but you never know. The biggest thing to keep in mind on this search is Kraft's own words.

IMO only, Key/Brohm fit perfectly with the blue-collar attitude that Penn State is looking for just saying, but all options still seem to be open.

“This person has to fit Penn State. They need to represent the toughness, the blue-collar work ethic, and the class that defines this institution,” Kraft said about the coaching search just a day after firing Franklin.” We want someone who honors our tradition but isn’t afraid to evolve; someone who understand the weight of “we are” and leads us forward with a vision of championships.”
 
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donaldfair71

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In this game nothing is a sure thing but Brohm has certainly warmed up to PS. As an aside the hottest new names being bantered about are the O and D coordinators of Indiana. I'm not on that train but you never know. The biggest thing to keep in mind on this search is Kraft's own words.

IMO only, Key fits perfectly with the blue-collar attitude that Penn State is looking for just saying, but all options still seem to be open.

“This person has to fit Penn State. They need to represent the toughness, the blue-collar work ethic, and the class that defines this institution,” Kraft said about the coaching search just a day after firing Franklin.” We want someone who honors our tradition but isn’t afraid to evolve; someone who understand the weight of “we are” and leads us forward with a vision of championships.”
I've said from the word Go they should be talking to Shanahan. Throw in the DC if that is their Huckleberry as well.

That those guys haven't been bandied about as potential replacements for just about any job is kind of funny to me. They are very well coached on both sides of the ball, and you get people who have been around Cig's culture for several years with him.

I am openly not in on Key. Doesn't seem like a geographic fit, his "system" is dependent upon a very specific QB type, and a few other reasons.
 

KingLando

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Verbal agreements are essentially meaningless, especially in big college sports, and especially in this case so far before the end of the season when 1000 different things can happen. Coaches pull verbal offers from recruits all the time. Coaches back out of verbal agreements with new schools all the time.

Right before Alabama hired Saban they had verbal agreements with 2 separate head coaches who BOTH backed out and stayed with their current teams. Wonder where Alabama would be now if they got RichRod instead of Saban. If that happens to Kraft in late January I guarantee we’re not getting somebody like Nick Saban because there will be nobody left to hire. In that case we’re taking the “interim” label off of Terry Smith’s title and Kraft’s job might actually be in jeopardy.
You're not following this at all. Not once did I say "verbal agreement"
You're so fixated on "worst case scenario" you refuse to accept how reality works.
This would be like you being a doctor and me telling you that you're wrong about your speciality. You have no clue what you're talking about as someone else pointed out.
 

PSU4U

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There's always risk---the risk with Elko is worth it.
You're incorrect--coaches accept jobs all the time before the season ends
You again think this is all about the money...he'll absolutely know what he'll be paid and they can set different contract based on how far A&M goes. Like every coaching negotiation that has ever happened. You clearly don't work with contracts at all.
Trying to set and define the exact parameters of the search and hire is just an exercise in futility. Money, psychology, area, roots, wife and family are all considerations but the only thing we can know of those things is money and not all of that either.

So, unless there are leaks and there have been some we aren't going to know. Then there is how to decern which leaks are propaganda and are intended to mislead is a huge consideration. Believing anything that would come from a certain group that has been alluded to on this board would more than likely be a mistake.
 
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PSU4U

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I've said from the word Go they should be talking to Shanahan. Throw in the DC if that is their Huckleberry as well.

That those guys haven't been bandied about as potential replacements for just about any job is kind of funny to me. They are very well coached on both sides of the ball, and you get people who have been around Cig's culture for several years with him.

I am openly not in on Key. Doesn't seem like a geographic fit, his "system" is dependent upon a very specific QB type, and a few other reasons.
Can't totally disagree. I like Key but he was never my first choice. I do not believe they are going to settle on any assistant coaches. Having said that I try to not every use the word never. MO is if they end up on an assistant Kraft will have whiffed on all his top choices. There are a couple assistant coaches and lower tier HC's I really like but one of the things that leaked early on was that Kraft wasn't going to settle for anyone who wasn't a power 4 HC. Mainly because there were people who were obviously his top picks and would actually be most people's top picks.

I personally think it's going to be a pick from the current most talked about power 4 coaches as in Brohm Key Lea Drinkwitz who seems to have been dropping a bit and maybe Campbell who has also been dropping.
 

Itraindogs

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Can't totally disagree. I like Key but he was never my first choice. I do not believe they are going to settle on any assistant coaches. Having said that I try to not every use the word never. MO is if they end up on an assistant Kraft will have whiffed on all his top choices. There are a couple assistant coaches and lower tier HC's I really like but one of the things that leaked early on was that Kraft wasn't going to settle for anyone who wasn't a power 4 HC. Mainly because there were people who were obviously his top picks and would actually be most people's top picks.

I personally think it's going to be a pick from the current most talked about power 4 coaches as in Brohm Key Lea Drinkwitz who seems to have been dropping a bit and maybe Campbell who has also been dropping.
I tend to agree. I do not see Kraft hiring an assistant, though I would not bet money on any scenario. I am sure that Kraft is not making these choices in a vacuum. There is a 700+m stadium rebuild, NIL, transfer portal, salaries, buyouts etc. that will need funding once the dust settles, so those with the deepest pockets will surely chime in. With Louisville dropping out of the top 12 because the Cardinal logo is not as impressive as the logos of several very mediocre SEC schools ranked ahead of them I am most curious about Brohm. Could he be frustrated by the ceiling put on his program simply because he is in the ACC? Will his professional drive outweigh his commitment to his alma mater and the place he grew up? No idea. My next choice would be Chesney. Successful program builder who has succeed at every stop. But he is not a P4 coach.

I have my questions about Lea simply because he will need to rely on an assistant for an offensive identity and that has not worked well for PSU of late, Key is intriguing but i am not sure what Georgia Tech is without Haynes King. He would bring toughness to the offensive line, but beyond that? Diaz would be in the mix, for me, given he has experience with the culture and has worked with his superiors before.

Elko, Meyer, Drink, are pipe dreams.

Bottom line is that no one knows Kraft's criteria and the hierarchy of what he values. Fundraising...personable....administrative ability....aligned with Kraft and his superiors...ability to identify, hire and cooperate with coordinators..... football specific criteria .... money ..... length of commitment and so on. How he grades all of these is only in his head and in the heads of those who foot the bill. His major boosters will surely have a vote.
 
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PSUwolf

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Why do you insist that Elko or his people can’t be talking? Even in my field (law), people negotiate while still employed and working on big projects. People get voted out of firms behind their backs. People negotiate with new firms secretly and steal clients from their old firm. It happens everywhere. I’m not saying Elko is talking with PSU because I have no idea. But it’s not absurd like you are saying. PSU isn’t as bad as you suggest, and A&M isn’t as great as you suggest.
I don't think it's an issue of good or bad but more about $$$$$ and - like it or not - that Texas oil money goes a long way......unfortunately
 

PSU4U

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I tend to agree. I do not see Kraft hiring an assistant, though I would not bet money on any scenario. I am sure that Kraft is not making these choices in a vacuum. There is a 700+m stadium rebuild, NIL, transfer portal, salaries, buyouts etc. that will need funding once the dust settles, so those with the deepest pockets will surely chime in. With Louisville dropping out of the top 12 because the Cardinal logo is not as impressive as the logos of several very mediocre SEC schools ranked ahead of them I am most curious about Brohm. Could he be frustrated by the ceiling put on his program simply because he is in the ACC? Will his professional drive outweigh his commitment to his alma mater and the place he grew up? No idea. My next choice would be Chesney. Successful program builder who has succeed at every stop. But he is not a P4 coach.

I have my questions about Lea simply because he will need to rely on an assistant for an offensive identity and that has not worked well for PSU of late, Key is intriguing but i am not sure what Georgia Tech is without Haynes King. He would bring toughness to the offensive line, but beyond that?

Elko, Meyer, Drink, are pipe dreams.

Bottom line is that no one knows Kraft's criteria and the hierarchy of what he values. Fundraising...personable....administrative ability....aligned with Kraft and his superiors...ability to identify, hire and cooperate with coordinators..... football specific criteria .... money ..... length of commitment and so on. How he grades all of these is only in his head and in the heads of those who foot the bill. His major boosters will surely have a vote.
A couple things one (not you) for those clamoring for Hartline he told Kraft if offered he would take the job. He has not been offered and IMO will not be. Lea would take the job because he's having trouble with negotiations on his contract with Vandy. As of this morning Brohm has slipped just a little from PS's perspective I do not know why since before he had warmed on PS. Drinkwitz is still right there but it seems that Key is a guy that Kraft really likes.
 
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SRURock24

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A couple things one (not you) for those clamoring for Hartline he told Kraft if offered he would take the job. He has not been offered and IMO will not be. Lea would take the job because he's having trouble with negotiations on his contract with Vandy. As of this morning Brohm has slipped just a little on PS's side I do not know why since before he had warmed on PS. Drinkwitz is still right there but it seems that Key is a guy that Kraft really likes.
I can see Kraft liking Key. He is a tough no nonsense former OL coach who worked for Saban for 3 years at Alabama. One of the big knocks on Franklin fair or not was the OL play and physicality.
 

Itraindogs

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A couple things one (not you) for those clamoring for Hartline he told Kraft if offered he would take the job. He has not been offered and IMO will not be. Lea would take the job because he's having trouble with negotiations on his contract with Vandy. As of this morning Brohm has slipped just a little on PS's side I do not know why since before he had warmed on PS. Drinkwitz is still right there but it seems that Key is a guy that Kraft really likes.
I have heard the same about Hartline from several folks inside OSU. He is definitely looking to make the jump to being HC though people who know him think he is a couple of years away from being ready. OSU is also not stressed about him going out to get HC experience as Freeman and he are seen as HC heirs apparent to when Day moves on. Both would take it wherever they find themselves at the time.

Brohm slipping is disappointing as he would immediately bring in an offensive identity and be able to bring in top flight QB talent, which in turn would bring in top end skill players.

I can see Kraft's attraction to Key. At UCF he filled several positions on the coaching staff, but as a HC at GT he has not particularly done well outside of this year with Haynes King. But it is GT after all. I am sure he is a very skilled OLine coach, but you are not hiring a position coach. I, do, however like the culture he will bring and his ties to SE recruiting.