We learn a lot about CJF this offseason. Lots of soul searching to do to right a program that has taken a big step back the last two years.

[Psubart1]

He has done a nice job recruiting for 2022 and 2023, but the on field results used to be unacceptable to a fan base that now might kill for 9 win seasons. A couple of comments on the program.

1. Hired two well thought of offensive coordinators, both of whom have done poorly? Is it them or is this CJF fingerprints on the offense?
2. Big emphasis on playing in the league, are players more interested in themselves or the team success (not pointing a finger, just asking). And I am okay with opt outs - but don’t ask me to pay thousands to attend a bowl game that even the players don’t want to play in versus an opponent who looks at this game as their Super Bowl (I make that mistake when we played Kentucky).
3. So much staff turnover - I know that is part of the game, but we have had a ton of change over the last four years. We were spoiled by the good and bad of Joepa staff tenure.
4. Offensive line play continues to be just awful. After watching all these bowl games, you realize how bad that part of our program is.
5. Why can’t we get a consistent field goal kicker? I never feel like we will make a kick and I see Iowa, OSU, etc. having reliable specialists every year.
6. Next year’s schedule starts out brutal for a team replacing a whole lot of starting talent. It is not out of the question that this inexperienced group of Lions starts 2-5 or 3-4. If that happens, it may signal the end of the PA boy with the PSU heart.

CJF needs to retool this offense and start to mix things up. Relying on long passing TDs to win will not get it done. Of course I will go into next season picking 10-2, only to be sad week by week 4.

 

[GregInPitt]

Nice list

And Franklin has admitted that he was somewhat slow to embrace the Portal as a way to fill needs at specific positions prior to last off season. But he did a great job last off season in finding great additions at DT and DE, solid contributors in Wilson (OL) and Lovett (RB), and DB's in Dixon and Lytton that may be bigger contributors in 2022.

The most immediate task to improve the 2022 team is now adding at least a few more players from the Portal to compliment the productive WR he has already signed, likely at DL, LB and possibly OL and Safety. This should begin to shake out soon.........

 

[PSUFTG]

If that happens, it may signal the end of the PA boy with the PSU heart.

There is only one way that happens - and that way is not by going 4-4 - obviously.

Only way he leaves is if he somehow puts together a very good season, or two, and someone comes along and offers him even more than the guaranteed $85 million over ten years (or whatever is left on the contract at that time).
No way Penn State fires him, obviously, for many reasons - not the least of which is the astounding buyout figure.
No way he leaves on his own accord, obviously, and walks away from that $85 million contract. Obviously.

So, the best case scenario for Penn State - Option A - is that Franklin puts together a good season or two, and someone else takes him off of their hands.

The other options - obviously - are that, Option B, Franklin continues to mire in poor performance, and Penn State is stuck with him ad infinitum. Or, Option C, he has a couple of good years, plays Free-Agent Footsie again - obviously - and Penn State enters into an even worse contract with him. So Option A is clearly - obviously - the best possible outcome, but maybe the most unlikely, obviously.

 

[PSUFTG]

Nice list

And Franklin has admitted that he was somewhat slow to embrace the Portal as a way to fill needs at specific positions prior to last off season. But he did a great job last off season in finding great additions at DT and DE, solid contributors in Wilson (OL) and Lovett (RB), and DB's in Dixon and Lytton that may be bigger contributors in 2022.

The most immediate task to improve the 2022 team is now adding at least a few more players from the Portal to compliment the productive WR he has already signed, likely at DL, LB and possibly OL and Safety. This should begin to shake out soon.........

So, he only needs to find an entire new defense (sans Cornerbacks) and a new offensive line, in the portal.
That actually, sadly, sounds about right. Good luck to him in that pursuit, obviously.

That does seem to be the state of the current roster.
So much for Franklin "at least being a good recruiter - even if he doesn't coach", obviously.

 

[NittanyBuff]

11-11 in last 2 seasons, better be a whole hell of a lot of soul searching gone on.

 

[Ram20]

There is only one way that happens - and that way is not by going 4-4 - obviously.

Only way he leaves is if he somehow puts together a very good season, or two, and someone comes along and offers him even more than the guaranteed $85 million over ten years (or whatever is left on the contract at that time).
No way Penn State fires him, obviously, for many reasons - not the least of which is the astounding buyout figure.
No way he leaves on his own accord, obviously, and walks away from that $85 million contract. Obviously.

So, the best case scenario for Penn State - Option A - is that Franklin puts together a good season or two, and someone else takes him off of their hands.

The other options - obviously - are that, Option B, Franklin continues to mire in poor performance, and Penn State is stuck with him ad infinitum. Or, Option C, he has a couple of good years, plays Free-Agent Footsie again - obviously - and Penn State enters into an even worse contract with him. So Option A is clearly - obviously - the best possible outcome, but maybe the most unlikely, obviously.

I disagree. Franklin is fiercely cognizant of external perspectives and he is emotionally immature(don't make me defend how I arrived at that particular opinion), if people stop showing up to the games, if merchandise sales decline lets say 30%, if white out games only begin to attract say 85,000 people, he will start to feel ostracized. As soft as our local media is on him, they will be forced to pen negative articles about him and his program. Franklin thrives on personal relationships, he thrives on positive media coverage, he defends his accomplishments even in absence of a question pertaining to his success. If the program goes where it appears to be heading, I don't see Franklin at PSU in 4 years and no, it won't be because we fired him. He and Fumi will exit to some mid-level Pac 12 school(which is really probably where he belongs) to resurrect a program, to build a program(I think he is a wonderful program builder, gets people confident and aligned before they figure out he can't coach) where the stakes are low. If he can resuscitate a Vanderbilt like program take an Arizona, to 8-9 wins, he'll be a god. If he doesn't, no big deal, he gets 5 years in the sun with a nice payday then can retire. I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with Franklin like a lot here, but I don't think he is dumb or doesn't understand what a changing tide is going to feel like. VERY few people are built to be under siege and take it, and I do think he is a man of character, I don't think he would simply bilk the school for 10 years of a really bad product.

 

[GregInPitt]

So, he only needs to find an entire new defense (sans Cornerbacks) and a new offensive line, in the portal.
That actually, sadly, sounds about right. Good luck to him in that pursuit, obviously.

That does seem to be the state of the current roster.
So much for Franklin "at least being a good recruiter - even if he doesn't coach", obviously.

Just needs a few players, not a whole defense. A pass rushing DE to compliment Isaac, Tarburton and Vilbert would allow DDI to ease into the college game, along with the other young DE's still developing.

There are a good many DT's on the roster, and in 2021 Ellis and Izzard got starting experience, but a proven player would help but may not be necessary especially if Mustipher decides to return.

LB is short on experience, other than Jacobs who looks like he will end up at Will next season. Sutherland may also start, although his performances as a Safety in his 5 years at PSU may cause the staff to look for a better option at Sam, and there are a few candidates for Mike in Elsdon and King. But Franklin is likely looking an experienced playmaker at LB.

There seems to be young talent at Safety, and some great young players in the 2022 class coming next Fall, but right now there are two players in the portal that look like they would upgrade the position if Franklin decides to go after one or both.

And we all know that a top olinemen surely can get playing time at PSU.

Maybe we'll be surprised and a half dozen players currently on the roster will break out right from the start of the 2022 season, who knows.

 

[PSUFTG]

I disagree. Franklin is fiercely cognizant of external perspectives and he is emotionally immature(don't make me defend how I arrived at that particular opinion), if people stop showing up to the games, if merchandise sales decline lets say 30%, if white out games only begin to attract say 85,000 people, he will start to feel ostracized. As soft as our local media is on him, they will be forced to pen negative articles about him and his program. Franklin thrives on personal relationships, he thrives on positive media coverage, he defends his accomplishments even in absence of a question pertaining to his success. If the program goes where it appears to be heading, I don't see Franklin at PSU in 4 years and no, it won't be because we fired him. He and Fumi will exit to some mid-level Pac 12 school(which is really probably where he belongs) to resurrect a program, to build a program(I think he is a wonderful program builder, gets people confident and aligned before they figure out he can't coach) where the stakes are low. If he can resuscitate a Vanderbilt like program take an Arizona, to 8-9 wins, he'll be a god. If he doesn't, no big deal, he gets 5 years in the sun with a nice payday then can retire. I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with Franklin like a lot here, but I don't think he is dumb or doesn't understand what a changing tide is going to feel like. VERY few people are built to be under siege and take it, and I do think he is a man of character, I don't think he would simply bilk the school for 10 years of a really bad product.

All that said, and I don't necessarily disagree with any of it, I would be absolutely shocked if he left Penn State - and left more money on the table than what the next program was willing to guarantee. (I do doubt that even with things going the way they are, and even if that continues, that we are going to see 85,000 crowds for a big game. Even in the absolute worst of times we didn't see that.)

Could someone offer him $80 million next year? More than $70 million the year after that? Nothing is impossible, obviously, but I just don't see that happening unless he turns things around dramatically and rapidly.

 

[Ram20]

All that said, and I don't necessarily disagree with any of it, I would be absolutely shocked if he left Penn State - and left more money on the table than what the next program was willing to guarantee. (I do doubt that even with things going the way they are, and even if that continues, that we are going to see 85,000 crowds for a big game. Even in the absolute worst of times we didn't see that.)

Could someone offer him $80 million next year? More than $70 million the year after that? Nothing is impossible, obviously, but I just don't see that happening unless he turns things around dramatically and rapidly.

Fair point, and neither of us have a crystal ball, but Franklin's salary might not seem so extravagant as coaching salaries continue to rise even that above NFL coaches. How will NIL influence coaching salaries in say 2027 that are currently unforeseen? I don't know the answers, and we are talking about ridiculous sums of money here. All I think I know is that James isn't going to hang around on a sinking ship that is aflame. So what, Arizona(as an example) offers him a mere $5million a year to get a fresh start, I'd think that would be a pretty nice offer if he is going into his office everyday being attacked by media, fans, alumni, and Ex-players alike.

 

[PSUFTG]

Fair point, and neither of us have a crystal ball, but Franklin's salary might not seem so extravagant as coaching salaries continue to rise even that above NFL coaches. How will NIL influence coaching salaries in say 2027 that are currently unforeseen? I don't know the answers, and we are talking about ridiculous sums of money here. All I think I know is that James isn't going to hang around on a sinking ship that is aflame. So what, Arizona(as an example) offers him a mere $5million a year to get a fresh start, I'd think that would be a pretty nice offer if he is going into his office everyday being attacked by media, fans, alumni, and Ex-players alike.

Valid points. I generally don't see Penn State fans and media as anything other than extremely generous - from the standpoint of being very, very lenient to coaches, relatively to other fan bases (which is probably generally a good thing). But I could be wrong - or, even if I am right, that could always change.

 

[Ram20]

Valid points. I generally don't see Penn State fans and media as anything other than extremely generous - from the standpoint of being very, very lenient to coaches, relatively to other fan bases (which is probably generally a good thing). But I could be wrong - or, even if I am right, that could always change.

I've enjoyed going back and forth with you sir. That's a good point about the well natured Penn State fan base. Same would have been said about Nebraska in the day too. On another blog someone asked the question: "so what can we do? Obviously our BOT doesn't care that the program is trending downward, Sandy is happy with mediocrity across all sports, what can we as fans to about it." It's simple really, and I am NOT calling for this, it would be premature, but you BDS the program. We have all done it in our lives with corporations or networks we don't align with. This isn't the Joepa era anymore where we don't pay him as much as some coaches, couple handshake agreements, give him a little more control, guy and his wife do all this philanthropic work for the school and the community. Jimmy is getting one of the richest contract in the country and he needs to be held to account, if not by his bosses, by the fans. Stop buying tickets to the games, stop watching on TV, stop buying your nephew PSU football gear, it all adds up. Stop reading effusive articles by the local media about how great Franklin is. Divest yourself from the program for a period of time, if enough people do that it changes will be made even considering the BOT's incompetence. When the spigot stops flowing into their pocketbooks like it did and Sandy needs to make tough decisions about cutting her beloved womens sports, they message will be sent. Franklin cannot survive that, Sandy can't, nobody can.

 

[BobPSU92]

There is only one way that happens - and that way is not by going 4-4 - obviously.

Only way he leaves is if he somehow puts together a very good season, or two, and someone comes along and offers him even more than the guaranteed $85 million over ten years (or whatever is left on the contract at that time).
No way Penn State fires him, obviously, for many reasons - not the least of which is the astounding buyout figure.
No way he leaves on his own accord, obviously, and walks away from that $85 million contract. Obviously.

So, the best case scenario for Penn State - Option A - is that Franklin puts together a good season or two, and someone else takes him off of their hands.

The other options - obviously - are that, Option B, Franklin continues to mire in poor performance, and Penn State is stuck with him ad infinitum. Or, Option C, he has a couple of good years, plays Free-Agent Footsie again - obviously - and Penn State enters into an even worse contract with him. So Option A is clearly - obviously - the best possible outcome, but maybe the most unlikely, obviously.

Don‘t forget Option D: “Scandal”

 

[BobPSU92]

11-11 in last 2 seasons, better be a whole hell of a lot of soul searching gone on.

Many programs would kill to be 11-11.

 

[Big_O]

If he goes 0.500 or slightly above 0.500 the next 2 years the pitchforks will be out and deservedly so. I just don’t think he has the ability to turn things around, but we shall see. I am not confident based on past performance.

 

[OuiRPSU]

Many programs would kill to be 11-11.

Oh yeah? Name one. And don’t say Rutgers.

Or the Jets.

Or the Giants.

 

[CvilleElksCoach]

While I like James and know him personally, I'm also donate to the program and I expect some level of quality results. I have witnessed a few cracks in the armor the last few days. I have seen former player making negative comments about him and the program. Those, I'm not very worried about. That happens with most coaches. What I am concerned about it seeing parent of current players making negative comments. That is very concerning. Is it just the parent or does the son feel the same? Two of the kids are very important to the future of this program. I won't share the names here as I wouldn't be surprised to see the tweets taken down at some point. But you can find them on Twitter pretty easily. If the team starts having contention or fractures, it's game over. I will share that some of the negative remarks were about the QB situation with Sean.

 

[Lmdm]

11-11 in last 2 seasons, better be a whole hell of a lot of soul searching gone on.

That is the damn truth. PSU football has become Nortwestern football.

 

[Ram20]

While I like James and know him personally, I'm also donate to the program and I expect some level of quality results. I have witnessed a few cracks in the armor the last few days. I have seen former player making negative comments about him and the program. Those, I'm not very worried about. That happens with most coaches. What I am concerned about it seeing parent of current players making negative comments. That is very concerning. Is it just the parent or does the son feel the same? Two of the kids are very important to the future of this program. I won't share the names here as I wouldn't be surprised to see the tweets taken down at some point. But you can find them on Twitter pretty easily. If the team starts having contention or fractures, it's game over. I will share that some of the negative remarks were about the QB situation with S

 

[Lionville]

Many programs would kill to be 11-11.

WE ARE.............not them.

 

[BW Lion]

11-11 in last 2 seasons, better be a whole hell of a lot of soul searching gone on.

As soon as he checks his brokerage account statement.

 

[Bvillebaron]

While I like James and know him personally, I'm also donate to the program and I expect some level of quality results. I have witnessed a few cracks in the armor the last few days. I have seen former player making negative comments about him and the program. Those, I'm not very worried about. That happens with most coaches. What I am concerned about it seeing parent of current players making negative comments. That is very concerning. Is it just the parent or does the son feel the same? Two of the kids are very important to the future of this program. I won't share the names here as I wouldn't be surprised to see the tweets taken down at some point. But you can find them on Twitter pretty easily. If the team starts having contention or fractures, it's game over. I will share that some of the negative remarks were about the QB situation with Sean.

Wow. Parents of two players are unhappy. Who would have thunk it. Parents of players complain about coaches starting in little league. Let me take a wild guess and speculate that these parents think their kids should play more.

 

[BobPSU92]

Wow. Parents of two players are unhappy. Who would have thunk it. Parents of players complain about coaches starting in little league. Let me take a wild guess and speculate that these parents think their kids should play more.

“Franklin’s playing my boy too much. Unacceptable!”

 

[BobPSU92]

While I like James and know him personally, I'm also donate to the program and I expect some level of quality results. I have witnessed a few cracks in the armor the last few days. I have seen former player making negative comments about him and the program. Those, I'm not very worried about. That happens with most coaches. What I am concerned about it seeing parent of current players making negative comments. That is very concerning. Is it just the parent or does the son feel the same? Two of the kids are very important to the future of this program. I won't share the names here as I wouldn't be surprised to see the tweets taken down at some point. But you can find them on Twitter pretty easily. If the team starts having contention or fractures, it's game over. I will share that some of the negative remarks were about the QB situation with Sean.

For Franklin’s sake, I hope none of those parents are on the bot.

 

[CvilleElksCoach]

Wow. Parents of two players are unhappy. Who would have thunk it. Parents of players complain about coaches starting in little league. Let me take a wild guess and speculate that these parents think their kids should play more.

You would be very wrong. The one kid played most of the game on Saturday. In fact, he is very highly thought of on this board. I coached for 15 years. I get that parents complain. It is very untypical to have parents complain on social media about the head coach and team tied to their name. As I stated, they were complaining about the QB situation, not their kid's situation.

 

[Ram20]

You would be very wrong. The one kid played most of the game on Saturday. In fact, he is very highly thought of on this board. I coached for 15 years. I get that parents complain. It is very untypical to have parents complain on social media about the head coach and team tied to their name. As I stated, they were complaining about the QB situation, not their kid's situation.

Since the parents put it into social media, would you just be willing to tell us who and what was said? Thanks

 

[PSUJam]

You would be very wrong. The one kid played most of the game on Saturday. In fact, he is very highly thought of on this board. I coached for 15 years. I get that parents complain. It is very untypical to have parents complain on social media about the head coach and team tied to their name. As I stated, they were complaining about the QB situation, not their kid's situation.

Any idea what TCF injury was? Seems he practiced all week.

 

[PSUJam]

You would be very wrong. The one kid played most of the game on Saturday. In fact, he is very highly thought of on this board. I coached for 15 years. I get that parents complain. It is very untypical to have parents complain on social media about the head coach and team tied to their name. As I stated, they were complaining about the QB situation, not their kid's situation.

Also, where did Clifford go after he had an injury? The announcers were trying to find him on the sideline and couldn't?

 

[JoeBot409]

Wow. Parents of two players are unhappy. Who would have thunk it. Parents of players complain about coaches starting in little league. Let me take a wild guess and speculate that these parents think their kids should play more.

Like I said in the Herbie thread. Players and their families are whiny entitled b*tches.

 

[JoeBot409]

Also, where did Clifford go after he had an injury? The announcers were trying to find him on the sideline and couldn't?

They said he went back to the locker room. And I don’t think he was hurt, he probably got yanked.

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

Priority #1 for CFJ this offseason should be to hire GA assistants from Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and pick their minds about how they practice. Can also go pick the mind of the Dartmouth coach who developed a tackling dummy (https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...c50a60-08a1-11e6-b283-e79d81c63c1b_story.html).

 

[LookSharp]

There is only one way that happens - and that way is not by going 4-4 - obviously.

Only way he leaves is if he somehow puts together a very good season, or two, and someone comes along and offers him even more than the guaranteed $85 million over ten years (or whatever is left on the contract at that time).
No way Penn State fires him, obviously, for many reasons - not the least of which is the astounding buyout figure.
No way he leaves on his own accord, obviously, and walks away from that $85 million contract. Obviously.

So, the best case scenario for Penn State - Option A - is that Franklin puts together a good season or two, and someone else takes him off of their hands.

The other options - obviously - are that, Option B, Franklin continues to mire in poor performance, and Penn State is stuck with him ad infinitum. Or, Option C, he has a couple of good years, plays Free-Agent Footsie again - obviously - and Penn State enters into an even worse contract with him. So Option A is clearly - obviously - the best possible outcome, but maybe the most unlikely, obviously.

Interesting posit. Let us remember CJF is presently 49 years old. The sun is definitely setting on his coaching career unless he suddenly becomes another Nick Saban. I pick Option C as the most likely outcome, assuming we're still playing football in ten years.

 

[PAgeologist]

Also, where did Clifford go after he had an injury? The announcers were trying to find him on the sideline and couldn't?

He started prepping for Purdue.

 

[PSUJam]

He started prepping for Purdue.

Shopping for body armor? Have to compete 365?

 

[PAgeologist]

Shopping for body armor? Have to compete 365?

Except for leap years.

 

[PSUJam]

Except for leap years.

It'll be hard for him to leap in full body armor.

 

[LookSharp]

If he goes 0.500 or slightly above 0.500 the next 2 years the pitchforks will be out and deservedly so. I just don’t think he has the ability to turn things around, but we shall see. I am not confident based on past performance.

I'm not so sure about that, BigO. Take Kliff Kingsbury for example. He was under .500 at Texas Tech and yet landed an NFL gig. It all comes down to the expectations of each respective fan base and most importantly, the tolerance level of the big money donors. I just know CJF would not survive at our two principal adversaries, Ohio State and Michigan. Certainly not for the amount he's being paid. Are we still 'We Are'? That is the question.

 

[GregInPitt]

Many programs would kill to be 11-11.

Yep, and most of those many programs can't afford Franklin......

 

[PSUForever]

I've enjoyed going back and forth with you sir. That's a good point about the well natured Penn State fan base. Same would have been said about Nebraska in the day too. On another blog someone asked the question: "so what can we do? Obviously our BOT doesn't care that the program is trending downward, Sandy is happy with mediocrity across all sports, what can we as fans to about it." It's simple really, and I am NOT calling for this, it would be premature, but you BDS the program. We have all done it in our lives with corporations or networks we don't align with. This isn't the Joepa era anymore where we don't pay him as much as some coaches, couple handshake agreements, give him a little more control, guy and his wife do all this philanthropic work for the school and the community. Jimmy is getting one of the richest contract in the country and he needs to be held to account, if not by his bosses, by the fans. Stop buying tickets to the games, stop watching on TV, stop buying your nephew PSU football gear, it all adds up. Stop reading effusive articles by the local media about how great Franklin is. Divest yourself from the program for a period of time, if enough people do that it changes will be made even considering the BOT's incompetence. When the spigot stops flowing into their pocketbooks like it did and Sandy needs to make tough decisions

I disagree. Franklin is fiercely cognizant of external perspectives and he is emotionally immature(don't make me defend how I arrived at that particular opinion), if people stop showing up to the games, if merchandise sales decline lets say 30%, if white out games only begin to attract say 85,000 people, he will start to feel ostracized. As soft as our local media is on him, they will be forced to pen negative articles about him and his program. Franklin thrives on personal relationships, he thrives on positive media coverage, he defends his accomplishments even in absence of a question pertaining to his success. If the program goes where it appears to be heading, I don't see Franklin at PSU in 4 years and no, it won't be because we fired him. He and Fumi will exit to some mid-level Pac 12 school(which is really probably where he belongs) to resurrect a program, to build a program(I think he is a wonderful program builder, gets people confident and aligned before they figure out he can't coach) where the stakes are low. If he can resuscitate a Vanderbilt like program take an Arizona, to 8-9 wins, he'll be a god. If he doesn't, no big deal, he gets 5 years in the sun with a nice payday then can retire. I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with Franklin like a lot here, but I don't think he is dumb or doesn't understand what a changing tide is going to feel like. VERY few people are built to be under siege and take it, and I do think he is a man of character, I don't think he would simply bilk the school for 10 years of a really bad product.

I agree that Franklin is politically astute, very very aware and focused on his public image. He is likeable and articulate and can impress recruits and their familiies.

What is becoming apparent unfortunately is he is much better at administrative and strategic issues than the actual job of coaching a football team. If you had a structure where he was the CEO of the football program but not in charge of coaching and there was a different head football coach that could make sense. Not sure where recruiting falls in that scenario but you get my point. He just is not good at X and Os or developing talent. He can't in-game coach well and he can't prepare a team well.

The state of the Penn State program is precarious. Franklin does not seem to have answers and it starts with him coming up empty with developing an O-Line. What is going to change? We have slipped dramatically the last 2 years and now it appears if we only lose 3 games a year it is reason to celebrate.

 

[NittanyBuff]

Many programs would kill to be 11-11.

Not the ones that want to be "Elite"

 

[Phoenix lion]

Wow. Parents of two players are unhappy. Who would have thunk it. Parents of players complain about coaches starting in little league. Let me take a wild guess and speculate that these parents think their kids should play more.

Have coached high school football and son played D1. As has been said parents start complaining in Little League. Had a dad in high school who kept telling me his son should be the starting RB. His son transferred twice, never started. Very difficult to keep everybody happy. I don't like Franklin's time management; however, believe he's up front with his players.