In looking at how the roster has been constructed, bringing in AK to handle the offense, gameday coaching, fixing our FG unit, and preparation of Beau as a backup QB, I have to give CJF a lot of credit. I know that CJF has taken a lot of criticism on this board (some of it from me), but I have really been impressed with what I have seen from him so far this season. I still have my reservations about Tom Allen as our DC, but overall this has been CJF's best season as the Penn State head coach. Given that he has now been here for about a decade, it is not often that you see a guy reach his peak at a program after being at one place for so long. But that is really in play for CJF this year.
May not be a popular opinion, but I think 2024 so far has been CJF's best coaching job
- Thread starter NewEra 2014
- Start date
Winning back to back road games (yes with a bye) at USC and Wisconsin is no easy task. Many years that would have been 1 or 2 loses given the way we play vs big name teams.
The good coaching job goes all the way back to the offseason when he was able to keep the roster together despite PSU lacking significant NIL money. Obviously, most players like playing for him.
How about his first two seasons where he coached teams with 45 scholarship players to winning records?
69 scholarship recruits on roster (plus a bunch of former walk-ons who were awarded scholarships) in 2014
79 scholarship recruits on roster (plus former walk-ons bringing total to 85) in 2015
That (the truth) is a big handicap as it is.... but 45? Uh uh. That is crazy well beyond Urban Legend
2014 Football - Penn State - Official Athletics Website (gopsusports.com)
2015 Football - Penn State - Official Athletics Website (gopsusports.com)
That said, being short-handed in 2014 and 2015 was tough, I think 2016 may qualify as the "best job"
So far, I will agree because this team doesn't have a freak like Barkley running all over the place making everyone look great. I don't think Drew has progressed enough under Franklin's watch and the state of the WR room is coaching malpractice. However the excuse train for Drew is starting to leave the station and they have managed to make just enough adjustments with the play calling/run game during the second half that it is working; credit the staff for a good chunk of that turn around.
Franklin's biggest coaching ask this season is going to be what he does after this OSU game. If he wins (unlikely, but who knows), gravy. If not, better keep these guys focused because one let down after that and they will be sitting home for the playoffs.
Franklin's biggest coaching ask this season is going to be what he does after this OSU game. If he wins (unlikely, but who knows), gravy. If not, better keep these guys focused because one let down after that and they will be sitting home for the playoffs.
I am a CJF supporter but I have acknowledged that at times he takes too many unnecessary risks on 4th when he should punt and shift the field. He's done much better with that this year. I struggle to think of a time where he went for it on 4th when he should've punted.
Don't know why that would be unpopular. He seems to have made great moves with the coordinators, especially with Kotelnicki who I fear we won't get to keep for long. We're 7-0, won a couple tough road games, overcame adversity in both, have made great halftime adjustments...it would be silly to say it hasn't been a tremendous coaching job.
"The bar" is less than 2 losses in the regular season.
That is the least number he has had at PSU. It is reasonable to expect less than 2.
That is the least number he has had at PSU. It is reasonable to expect less than 2.
I think thats a very fair call. It's also one of his better staffs, in totality, although Lustig needs to step up to the challenge because ST's have not been good.
I’m a difficult person to please, but I also think Franklin & Co are doing a great job this season except for one assistant coach.
It’s clearly not Andy….he’s coaching his way into a promotion at another school.
It’s surprisingly not Tom Allen. He, like Sandusky, makes excellent halftime adjustments. PSU’s second half defensive play has been exemplary
I don’t like the Special Teams coordinator Franklin hired from Vanderbilt.
Between the kick-offs going out of bounds, the five (5) weeks it took him to find a FG kicker and allowing an Aussie punter to run for a first down is inexcusable.
Buh-Bye Justin.
It’s almost been great barely knowing you.
It’s clearly not Andy….he’s coaching his way into a promotion at another school.
It’s surprisingly not Tom Allen. He, like Sandusky, makes excellent halftime adjustments. PSU’s second half defensive play has been exemplary
I don’t like the Special Teams coordinator Franklin hired from Vanderbilt.
Between the kick-offs going out of bounds, the five (5) weeks it took him to find a FG kicker and allowing an Aussie punter to run for a first down is inexcusable.
Buh-Bye Justin.
It’s almost been great barely knowing you.
I thought 2016 was Penn State’s best opportunity to win a championship, and CJF squandered that one against Pitt.
In the USC game --- we were GOING to go for it on 4th-and-3 from our own 49, down 7-3, late in the 1st Quarter. Until Sam Wormley false-started, and then the punt team came on.
IMO, that was the wrong decision --- CJF just got away with it.
CJF went for it on a 4th down (instead of punting) in the late 3Q against BGSU, I agreed with that one.
I'd also argue CJF has made 2 wrong decisions, going for it instead of attempting Field Goals:
(1) Wisconsin, on the 1st drive, after the Fleming drop. It's a long Field Goal but try to get some points, ensure the team views the first drive as a qualified success, that builds their confidence early.
(2) Illinois when we had 4th-and-3 at the Illinois 17, up 14-7 with 1:00 left in the 3rd Quarter. In a rock-fight versus a limited Illinois offense, it would have been nice to be up 2 scores earlier than we were.
Net: I'm still FAR from sold on Franklin on this front.
LOL It was CJFs fault he didn't have a single healthy linebacker.
We deserve better. I mean if "we" can do a better job....every play should result in success!
And that Hamilton dropped a fairly easy pass
Nothing makes a BWICAC member moist between the legs like helping a D1 coach "improve. " It's been a tough year for them, but with injuries and the Buckeyes coming to town, things are looking up.