Live updates: Penn State, Boise State head coach joint press conference
Penn State head coach James Franklin and Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson see the finish line. Monday morning, they’ll both meet with reporters for a joint press conference ahead of the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
And it’s their final media obligation before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal tilt is underway.
Follow along as Blue White Illustrated provides live updates from the joint press conference, here.
Live updates: Penn State, Boise State head coach joint press conference
(Press conference has ended at 9 a.m. MST.)
On similarities between each other
12/30/2024 09:57:55 AMDanielson: Listened to Franklin at AFCA convention and blown away by him. So much respect from afar and the product he has continually put on the field at every spot he’s ever been. Admired from afar for a long time.
Franklin: What Spencer has done as a head coach in a short time is impressive. His point is a good one, when you’re a D2 coach and player, a lot of the things that the team or staff takes for granted, they don’t. You have to do it all, and there is a lot of value in that. There aren’t 75 coaches. There are eight. Used to fill soda machines in the morning at Kutztown. But humility is such an important part of the job in serving others. When you’ve been a D2 guy and had to work your way up the ladder, you learn a ton from that. It’s a huge aspect for all of them. Have gotten to know Spencer from guys on his staff. Your team is a reflection of you, and Boise does it with class. You see how they speak, how hard they play, it’s the best compliment you can get as a coach that your players play hard, do it the right way, and represent Danielson, community, and university the right way, which is more challenging now than it’s ever been.
Danielson on Stacy Collins
12/30/2024 09:53:52 AMCan pick his brain. He’s been a head coach. Understands recruiting and game planning and scheduling. Wants someone who can speak and he’s able to do that.
Danielson on player buy-in
12/30/2024 09:52:55 AMWill never forget stepping into the interim role, so many things going on, players can transfer, and the smart thing to do is get resume ready. But players put their feet down and were determined to finish the season. Ashton Jeanty saying he’s staying. It trickles down to the whole roster. What is done in the dark will be brought to the light. Doing that work and seeing it after no one was talking about it, it’s great. So blessed to be a part of it. This is a player led team. They love each other and hold each other to high standards.
Danielson on lessons learned in the job
12/30/2024 09:50:58 AMThere are multiple people in his life that he picks their brain on. He messes things up on a daily basis, but learns. It’s all about developing champions for life for him. The byproduct is championships. So that’s true north, but a lot of lessons along the way focusing on development of these kids. Lessons he’s learned coming here. But there are people that help him see around the turn because they’ve been there before him. This is a dream job for him.
Danielson on Jeanty
12/30/2024 09:49:19 AMIt’s January last offseason and he’s the guy with his shirt off doing tug of war with his teammates. But it takes a team. It’s mandatory for receivers to block. They’re a run-first operation with passing that complements it.
Franklin on balancing stopping Jeanty vs. whole Boise offense
12/30/2024 09:48:19 AMEveryone has tried to stop him and hasn’t been able to. But the running back position just like QB, they get a ton of credit and deservedly so, he’s earned that, but without a great OL, a great OC taking advantage of your skillset, you’re not nearly as successful as he is right now. Penn State has a great example of that. Their guy Saquon Barkley is in a great situation with the Philadelphia Eagles and is flourishing right now behind a great offensive line and maybe the best OL coach in the history of football. Jeanty’s 1,900 yards after contact are incredibly impressive, and he’s a focus point but he’s part of a great team.
Franklin on young coaches in the CFP
12/30/2024 09:46:12 AMPeople get into the habit of re-hiring previous head coaches when maybe you feel like you have a great DC on your staff who is prepared and ready for the opportunity. Everyone does that sometimes making the safe hire rather than the best hire. So it’s a positive. You see it in the NFL and college football, and guys like Spencer have gotten into that seat and run with it by doing a great job. Will create new opportunities for other young guys. Just as he’s trying to do as well.
Franklin
12/30/2024 09:44:22 AMPetersen would be another really good candidate. Dave Clawson would be great too. But it’s a good conversation to have. Doesn’t know if this is going to go anywhere or not. Did text Dave. Not specifically about this. But Petersen would be another person who is a really good example of someone who could represent college football as a whole.
Danielson on idea of college football commissioner
12/30/2024 09:44:05 AMBelieves changes need to be made. How? Doesn’t spend a ton of time on that. But would nominate Chris Petersen to that role as well.
Franklin on what is the cost of a College Football Playoff team:
12/30/2024 09:41:26 AMCan’t get into that. It’s just hard. The way the system is set up right now, there is no real way to track that. If an AD is willing to report it. But that’s it. Boise situation is a little different. Penn State situation is a little different in those areas. Not a guy who feels like you should have a strong opinion without all of the information, and doesn’t have enough true, valuable, credible information to make that statement. There are things on social media, how credible it is, he’s not sure. Just spend time on his roster, making sure they’re having the best experience, and give themselves the best chance to be successful. Trying to raise as much money as they can to put program and university in position to be successful.
James Franklin on keeping momentum moving forward
12/30/2024 09:39:15 AMFirst of all, Spencer has done a phenomenal job at Boise. Fan of him and the university and the program. Love to see athletic directors promote from within the university.
Were able to get a home game against an SMU opponent they had a lot of respect for. Fans played a role in it as well. But the kids just played well. College coaches were talking about a four-game season and they didn’t approach it that way. It’s a one game season with 65 plays a game and need to approach each one of those reps like they’re gold.
Not very often that you’re able in the playoff to get your backups in the game, which for Penn State was valuable. Just trying to keep that momentum going against a really good Boise team.
Danielson on biggest game in Boise State history:
12/30/2024 09:36:55 AMSo excited to be here. Thank you Jesus for another day of life. Blessed to impact these kids every day. Has been a decade since they’ve been here. And first time it’s ever a Fiesta Bowl and CFP game. Regardless of how bright the stage and lights are, goal is to prepare their best and cut loose.
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