Skill position talent 2016 is better just because of Saquon Barkley, Gesicki, Godwin, etc were SO good; however, most completeness, I believe this team may have that. As for DA, I’d say physically and traits wise, he is the best QB specimen PSU has ever seen. He’s got a bigger arm than McSorely, Sean, DC, etc. More mobility than Hack, Kerry Collins. He just needs some more help. I wouldn’t recommend him stay if the kid is a first rounder.
I really can’t see CJF going elsewhere
Obviously, I am very happy with James. I know him to be a very good person off the field as well. However, there are a multitude of circumstances that could come into play. Many that most of us wouldn't normally consider. I do know that the negativity is being heard. It isn't going to have a positive impact. He isn't going to work harder. Only a complete moron would question his work ethic. He's not playing golf with Steve Spurrier, during the week, for instance. I've been told directly by a father that in essence, my son is here because of James. This is the case with many as I hate to tell fans that most players are not loyal to dear old state. The negative behavior is viewed as betrayal. I've also gotten the sense that life hasn't been "perfect" for his family here.
Add to this the soul searching every coach experiences. There is great satisfaction in "building" a program. Now before some go bonkers....I'm simply saying, putting your "stamp" on the program and watching all aspects improve. Franklin came here to deal with a pretty depleted roster and other sanction issues. Many other facets were left unchanged for years and needed upgrades. Some things like admissions were hurdles. I can tell you that trying to get players thru the portal met with typical "red tape." Finally, as part of the process, a coach wonders....has my message gone stale? Do we all need a change of scenery? The roster reflects the recruiting, which is usually top 12-15. The facilities may finally be discussed in the top 20. His last extension which is still moaned about here, actually included more upgrades in salary for assistants and coordinators. The support staff has grown to big boy proportions.
The casual fan might think "we pay him 8 million dollars a year. He should win more. Also, he should expect to experience negative reactions."
Well, my response is this is somewhat accurate. But PSU isn't the only university paying its football coach millions of dollars. TAM gave Jimbo Fisher a kings ransom, how'd that work out? I don't wish to go thru the list of at least a dozen coaches who are paid more than Franklin and half or more do not have their teams positioned for the playoff run. Hell 24 coaches are paid of 7 million per year.
My concern is getting past Minnesota. It's not easy to win in the Big 10 on the road. They will be ready off a bye. Then, if PSU wins a playoff game....does Franklin say, this is as far as I can go here? I need a change of scenery, a new challenge, more NIL support. Or, as I hope, does he stay because of the great relationships he finally has here with the likes of Pat Kraft?
I think anyone can relate to "coming to a crossroads" in their career. Mine came in the 8th year of my tenure as a high school coach. I took over a program that rarely approached .500. The best season in their history was 6 wins. I was 24 and got my brains beat in for a few years. 3 seasons to get over .500. Finally, the schools first championship in our 6h year. We were a contender every season after that until I became fulltime AD after year 13. I recall one season in particular, we went 9-1. Lost the championship game 7-6. As human nature dictates, when we started winning a booster club emerged. They always sponsored a season ending banquet. At the banquet that season, sitting with my wife and assistant coaches I listened to one "booster" after another regale the attendees with thinly disguised shots at our coaching and the impediments faced by "their" beloved team to reach their goals. After all the booze fueled speeches It was finally my turn to speak. I recall saying, "In our first year here, we won 1 game and everyone wondered HOW? This season we lost one game by one point and people are asking "WHY?" Dead silence! LOL
What they didn't know was I was sitting on an offer to move on to a much larger school with a rich tradition, that had fallen on hard times.
Ultimately, I decided to stay and it turned out to be a great decision. I hope James does the same.
M