James Franklin lists qualities he wants in next offensive coordinator

Following the Michigan game, Penn State head coach James Franklin fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. With that move, the Nittany Lions are on the market for a new coordinator.

Franklin explained that there are a lot of factors that go into a new offensive coordinator. In particular, he singled out the ability to create big plays, which has been a criticism of the Penn State offense this season.

“It’s really still the same factors,” James Franklin said. “It’s who’s gonna be great on third down? Who’s got the data to back up explosive plays and explosive offense? Because, in college football nowadays, to just be able to go four yards, is hard to do a play all the way down the field. Opening drives. But, a big one is, data and information based on the people that have been able to score against their best competition. The best competition in whatever leagues they’ve come from. I think that’s an important piece of this as well. Obviously, we got even more competition coming into the league as well. So, those things factor into it.”

Penn State is 15th in the country in scoring offense at 36.7 points per game. However, poor games against Ohio State and Michigan on the offensive side of the ball have cost the Nittany Lions.

Along with having good data, James Franklin is also looking for a coordinator who is experienced and can work with the personnel already in place.

“Overall, our numbers are pretty good, but we’ve got to make sure that we put ourselves in the best position, based on the teams that we need to beat, and to be able to do that, and have the data to back it up and the evidence to back it up, and the experience to back it up. That’s really the biggest difference,” Franklin said.

“And then, hopefully, someone that’s done it long enough that you have a true indication because, where you have to be careful is, somebody could have a special quarterback. Or, somebody could have a generational wide receiver. And, it skews all the stats. That’s what makes it hard. So, that’s where the bigger sample size, the bigger body of work, allows you to eliminate some of that risk and feel more confident in the decision. And then, also, somebody that’s going to come and be able to use the personnel based on how it’s already been built, if that makes sense.”

Ultimately, James Franklin explained that there are relatively few options for an offensive coordinator and there is a lot of competition for those coaches.

“So, the interesting thing, I think the perception out there, whether it’s an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, position coach, or a head coach, there’s less options out there than I think people think. When you really dig into it, there’s a small sample size. When I hired Manny [Diaz], there’s like three or four guys out there that have that track record. And, there’s probably eight schools that are trying to get them. So, it’s not as obvious as people may think,” Franklin said.

“To be honest with you, even if you look at hiring a guy with NFL experience, that sounds good. But, there’s not a whole lot of evidence of that model working on the college level as well. So, it’s a smaller pool than you would actually think. And, there’s probably not as many obvious candidates as people think as well. And, obviously, it’s no different than recruiting. You’re trying to get the five-star guy. But, you’re also trying to reduce risk, as well. So, all those things factor in. On that note, that would also probably help if it’s somebody that you a relationship with already because you’re not trying to figure out if they’re a cultural fit too.”

James Franklin comments on handling Mike Yurcich’s firing with recruits

One challenge in a coaching change is handling recruits. Because of that, James Franklin says he recruits a certain way.

“Every recruit that I have ever met with I talk to the recruit about committing to Penn State and committing to me because the nature of college football, I don’t want there to be a coaching change or coach leaves to go be the head coach at Virginia Tech or Old Dominion or Mississippi State and now all of a sudden you’re unsure,” Franklin said.

“So, I cover that with every single recruit, but I also can see that based on the timing of how things played out that for a young kid, him kind of connecting the dots in the wrong way. But I know the media that covered that and is talking to a young kid can kind of figure it out, you know. I think you guys know how I go about my business. I would never do that. That doesn’t make sense. But for a young kid, I could see how the timing of that, you would connect those dots, and they’re not really connected.”