Everything Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith said at his last news conference before Iowa

Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith held his second and final news conference of Iowa week on Wednesday night. The first question he fielded focused on how his team has responded to the news that James Franklin is no longer their head coach after he was fired on Sunday.

“Obviously, this is a challenging week,” Smith said. “I think the guys are responding somewhat. We still have some work to do. They’re all hurt and torn and, you know, disappointed in what happened. Coach [Franklin] brought everyone in the building in. These are young people. They’re not used to this. We as adults, we have to adjust quicker.

“But you know, we’re just taking the time to mentor these guys and spend some quality time with them, to get them interested and motivated back out here. I thought [Wednesday] was a little bit better than [Tuesday], and that’s all we want, is each day to just make some progress.”

You can read everything else Smith had to say below.

How has Ethan Grunkemeyer looked, and how is Penn State building the offense around him?

“Grunk’s looked really good,” Smith said. “He’s had a really good two days. He’s excited for the opportunity. We sat down and met yesterday. We had a really good conversation. Fortunately or unfortunately, he and I have been thrust into a role that neither one of us saw coming for this week. And so, I think he’s had a really good two weeks, and we’re encouraged. And hopefully he has another two good practice days, and goes into the game feeling good.”

What has the transition to head coach been like for Smith? 

“Tom Bradley reached out to me,” Smith said. “I’ve spoken with him. He’s a dear friend of mine. Just lending advice. And the most important thing [from] the messages that I’ve gotten all week is, take care of the guys in the locker room. You got to win them back, and you got to pick their spirits up. And it’s so much more than just the game. Yeah, we got to prepare for Iowa, but I have to get these guys emotionally ready to go play a football game.”

How is it going to get the Penn State players ready to play a game?

“Like I said, each day’s getting better,” Smith said. “Sunday was really traumatizing to them. Monday, they calmed down a little bit, but had some anger in them. And then yesterday was, ‘we’ll show up for practice Coach and give you some effort.’ And today was, ‘Hey, we’ll run a little harder today.’ So I think we’re headed the right direction. We got to close the gap quicker, though.”

Are there any concerns about the on-field product on Saturday based on how the week has gone?

“No, these kids are going to play hard Saturday,” Smith said. “I can see that. I’ve talked to them. I talked to the Leadership Council. One thing I won’t accept is a lack of effort. And, the guys know that. They understand that. And, we hope we’re going to win. But, we’re going to play hard. And you guys will be sitting there saying, ‘yeah, these guys played hard,’ and then the result is the result. But they’re going to play hard Saturday.”

On managing players’ emotions while also handling coaching corrections

“Yeah, it’s a fine line, right? Because these guys are fragile right now,” Smith said. “So you don’t want to coach them overly hard. But you got to coach them. I have a saying in my old cornerback room, check your feelings in at the door. And, whatever you put on film, we have to talk about. That’s how we get better. That’s how we make adjustments and corrections.

“So if you put something bad on there, we got to talk about it. You put something good on there, we’ll praise you and pat you on the back. But you know, for us to be a good team, we’ve got to talk about the good and the bad and the indifferent.”

On the Lions’ Sunday meeting and what that day was like after Franklin was fired

“Sunday wasn’t typical,” Smith said. “I told you guys the other day that Coach Franklin addressed the team, that I addressed the team for a few minutes. It was really emotional. So we canceled practice that day, canceled meetings. We came back on Monday, which is a normal player day off, but then we met individually with a lot of players to try to calm them down and give them a voice and allow them to express themselves.

“And, you know, get some things off their chest and speak their mind. These are young men, and we as coaches, we’ve, hec,, I basically got fired when I was a high school coach. So we’ve been through this, and we’re trying to help those guys go through it.”

How is Terry Smith adjusting to the role of being the Penn State head coach?

“Well, your question should be, how much football are you doing this week versus last week, which is less football than I’ve ever done.,” he said. “So, yeah, I’ve spoken to Pat [Kraft] and Vinnie [James]. You know, Kevin [Threlkel], our building administrator for football. It’s constant meetings, because there’s just a lot going on.

“This is a big program. There’s a lot of departments. We’re trying to organize some things. Trying to modify some things. We’re trying to bring some energy and be creative in how we go about our business. So, there’s constant meetings. But, you know, I was a head coach before. I was an athletic director before. It’s just at a greater level.”

How involved is Terry Smith’s in depth chart conversations now?

“I’m very involved,” he said. “Obviously, if we lose, you’re going to be talking to me, and it’s my fault, so I am involved in it. We’re examining the depth chart this week alone. As I get my footing underneath me, it’s hard for me to make immediate decisions. But everything is under examination right now. We’re looking for play makers. Guys that can change the game. And if you can change the game, it’s my job to get you on the field to help us.”

Is there any update on injured Penn State passer Drew Allar?

“No, he went to see his doctor,” Smith said. “But we don’t have any updates about that.”

On getting Grunkemeyer ready to play at Iowa

“He’s great,” Smith said. “He’s been great. I don’t know if you guys heard the music in here [at practice]/ We try to give the crowd simulation. You know, obviously, like you said, Iowa is a tough place, and especially at night. He’s handled all the checks at the line of scrimmage. We haven’t had any communication errors at the line of scrimmage.

“So he seems to be adjusting well. He’s doing good, making all the right checks. I’m kind of excited to see him. I think he’s going to give us a bolt of energy. And, you know, I’m looking forward to it.”

How much is Saturday’s game part of the healing process for the team?

“It’s a big part,” Smith said. “This is why we all are here at Penn State. When you grow up in the sport of football, this is the sport you’re allowed to physically unleash yourself. So, all your ailments in the world, you are allowed to physically punish the guy across from you. And, it’s OK.

“This is the outlet that we’re going to look for. That is physically okay to punish the Iowa players, much like they’re trying to do to us. But, channel your energy in the right way. Stay disciplined and knock them off the ball every play, and then get up and do it all over again and have fun while you’re doing it.”

On Penn State players feeling guilty for Franklin being fired and making sure they aren’t consumed by that

“Yeah, it’s a reality,” Smith said. “So we tell the truth in the building, and we all failed Coach Franklin, right? That’s why he’s not here. We failed him. And so we have to take ownership in that, and as we move forward, we have to correct it, right?

“We want to play for him. We want to play for us. But at the end of the day, it’s the game of football that we love. So every guy in the locker room has their own why. That’s why you line up and play every snap.”