That wasn't what I was saying. The typical PSU fan for decades thumbed their nose at other programs and the concept of paying players. Of course we all knew other programs were doing it, but publicly we loved to state that we were better than that, allegedly. Now we see regular threads, discussions, and approval from this fan base about paying players. Openly and proudly; whether from NIL or PSU directly in the future. The same institution who "has the football coaches name on the library" will now cut checks to the starting left guard on the football team; and our fans will cheer for more. Things change, sometimes for the better. It was the same thing I watched with the pre-portal when Bama and the SEC processed everyone; this fan base said "no, we don't do that; better than that." Well, the portal arrived, and we did a 180. Things change and either by force or desperation people adapt or fall off. The only thing this fan base refuses to move on from is this stupefying loyalty to whoever the HC is. And it is killing the on-field product because he isn't anything more than "good enough" at this point in his career.
I have no doubt that Franklin inherited a mess: sanctions, poor funding, outdated thinking and equipment and buildings. God knows what racial elements he probably encountered as well within the confines of Dear Old State. Plus he had to adapt to the portal and NIL, which I am sure no one inside Old Main wanted, and all while trying to give the impression that he is running an actual, clean college program with books and classwork and stuff. Not easy, and not a cheap job. He has been a great ambassador off the field.
But not all relationships are meant to be forever. Lots of companies, sports programs, governments, and civic organizations out there who replaced leaders and the next guy/gal took things to the next level. No one is owed anything, we are all replaceable; there is always someone who can do it better.
I keep posting the Michigan picture for several reasons:
1. It's so absurd that it's funny.
2. It captures, in one play, the Franklin era in its truest form because it forces the viewer's internal monologue to consciously say "this isn't going to work".