what is there not to like about Coach Franklin???

Midnighter

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So glad Franklin did not lose the game this past weekend! Just look at the outrage on this thread after a practice!!
The good news is Franklin and Pat Kraft no doubt aspire to a standard that many fans are too scared or unwilling to commit to. This is the ‘we’re just happy to be playing’ crowd still traumatized by sanctions.
 
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s1uggo72

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Yes, because Penn State UNIVERSITY. o_O is obviously a professional football team.
How is it not?
We pay the coaches
We pay the players
Opponents pay the coaches
Opponents pay the players
Play in 100k seat stadium
Players have free agency
Only problem is don’t play on Sunday
Sounds professional to me
 

LaJollaCreek

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How is it not?
We pay the coaches
We pay the players
Opponents pay the coaches
Opponents pay the players
Play in 100k seat stadium
Players have free agency
Only problem is don’t play on Sunday
Sounds professional to me
It absolutely is and it's been that way for other schools a lot longer than NIL has been around. Some people are waking up from a 20 year nap.
 
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udsig91

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Coach Franklin seems to represent everything in the Penn State value system, a great family person, honest, direct, etc. He and the team have done a great job recruiting, and even better in the current era where much recruiting has become entangled with NIL - even though that is technically against NCAA regs. He has done a good job with bringing in coaches, and is starting to develop his own "coaching tree". He now is becoming one of the longer tenured coaches in CFB, and could actually turn into a v2.0 of JoePa. He also has fought the PSU leadership to do the things we need. He is a good CEO coach.

My wife asked me what is it you do not like about JF? I only had one thing - still don't care for some of his clock management and risky calls that seem unnecessary. That is just my preference, and hardly a reason to not like all that is good about Coach Franklin.
Completely agree with clock management and I would add 4th quarter game management with a lead against top ranked teams…
 

BobPSU92

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How is it not?
We pay the coaches
We pay the players
Opponents pay the coaches
Opponents pay the players
Play in 100k seat stadium
Players have free agency
Only problem is don’t play on Sunday
Sounds professional to me

That’s the spirit.

And for professors, Penn State is a corporation.

😞
 
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Bkmtnittany1

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The good news is Franklin and Pat Kraft no doubt aspire to a standard that many fans are too scared or unwilling to commit to. This is the ‘we’re just happy to be playing’ crowd still traumatized by sanctions.
You should lay off Franklin and be more concerned as to why there is no "Hot Chicks of Blue/White Weekend Poll!" It was an 80 degree day, 2 o'clock start, babes drinking all morning! You should have had hundereds of photos to pick from. What's the matter with you???? We deserve better!
 

BobPSU92

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You should lay off Franklin and be more concerned as to why there is no "Hot Chicks of Blue/White Weekend Poll!" It was an 80 degree day, 2 o'clock start, babes drinking all morning! You should have had hundereds of photos to pick from. What's the matter with you???? We deserve better!

I bet eleven worriers has a poll from the T™️osu spring game.

This is what we’re up against.
 

Midnighter

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You should take it up with those people then. Thankfully most sane fans see he is good for PSU and is working to get better still, but know he isn't perfect.

Healthy criticism and enthusiasm/support for our coach are not mutually exclusive concepts. Bullying anyone who disagrees is shameful.
 
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LaJollaCreek

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Healthy criticism and enthusiasm/support for our coach are not mutually exclusive concepts. Bullying anyone who disagrees is shameful.

Never said they were. Sounds like some have some internal conflicts going on, but that is on them. As far as the bullying goes...again take it up with those you think are bullying. Not liking someones take doesn't mean your a victim either.
 

Midnighter

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Never said they were. Sounds like some have some internal conflicts going on, but that is on them. As far as the bullying goes...again take it up with those you think are bullying. Not liking someones take doesn't mean you’re a victim either.

I’ve blocked the biggest bully on this site WRT this topic. But you’ll rarely if ever find someone critical of Franklin talk down to or belittle someone who doesn’t share their opinion (known troll(s) aside).
 
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Catch1lion

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Alex, What is the phrase uttered by OSU and UM fans?


He's one of the better coaches out there, just couldn't get by OSU, and now UM.
 

Ironman2

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No. Would a team that has not won a NC in almost 10 yrs still be Elite? Probably not. What about FSU? Are they still elite because they won a NC one year before OSU? Not to mention, by your definition, Day cannot be elite…he has not won NC while HC at OSU. So therefore OSU cannot be elite either.

I can punch holes in your first statement all day.
Just my opinion but elite are the teams that are consistently in the hunt for a conference championship and a playoff berth. So far under Franklin the Lions aren't anywhere near that.
 
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LaJollaCreek

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I’ve blocked the biggest bully on this site WRT this topic. But you’ll rarely if ever find someone critical of Franklin talk down to or belittle someone who doesn’t share their opinion (known troll(s) aside).

I put plenty of Frankin's haters on ignore because they cannot stop themselves from going on repeat 24x7. I don't tell them, I just do it and move on. Some people can be critical and the criticism is valid. Then you have some that invent reasons to be critical and no they aren't victims when people disagree with them over it. Done with this portion of the conversation...appreciate the insight.
 
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GrimReaper

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LaJollaCreek

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How many top 10 teams in the 4th quarter has he held a lead against and won versus a blown 4th quarter lead? I don’t expect to win every game, but to win less than half is an issue….
Right as they only count against top 10 teams. Then again if you look at the historical numbers versus top 10 all time....you would see the error in your logic. Guess how many programs all time have a winning percentage over .500 against the top 10. I'll give you a hint...programs is wrong...it's program. You think you have a valid point and you do to an extent, but LSU was 1-9 versus Bama until they won their recent MNC. UM's record versus OSU has been trash up until the last 2 years. I have a ton of examples of programs like PSU trying to get over that last hump.

Now if there were TONS of programs thriving against top 10 teams I would say WTF.....but when I look the entire picture I see that he's not the exception to the rule. Yes he needs to get over that hump. We all want that, nobody is against that at all, but I'm not going to pretend it's the norm just so I have something to say on a message board...because it's not. The numbers don't bare that out.
 

s1uggo72

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IMO the one thing that has held PSU and Franklin back from being a constitent playoff team, from beating UM or OSU every other year or so is, he has not fixed the offensive line. He has had some good players, but he has never had a dominating OL, that went 9-10 players deep. We have some great backs, WR etc. good D's but we are not in the class of dominating on the OL. yes we have Fashanu but we need 4 of him at the same time.
 

Midnighter

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Right as they only count against top 10 teams. Then again if you look at the historical numbers versus top 10 all time....you would see the error in your logic. Guess how many programs all time have a winning percentage over .500 against the top 10. I'll give you a hint...programs is wrong...it's program. You think you have a valid point and you do to an extent, but LSU was 1-9 versus Bama until they won their recent MNC. UM's record versus OSU has been trash up until the last 2 years. I have a ton of examples of programs like PSU trying to get over that last hump.

Now if there were TONS of programs thriving against top 10 teams I would say WTF.....but when I look the entire picture I see that he's not the exception to the rule. Yes he needs to get over that hump. We all want that, nobody is against that at all, but I'm not going to pretend it's the norm just so I have something to say on a message board...because it's not. The numbers don't bare that out.

The most glaring issue with 'against top ten teams' is they are almost always Michigan and Ohio State, who are not only conference mates but also division rivals. So, we play them every year and are batting below .500 - it's a very difficult hill to climb but Franklin recruits as well or better than Michigan and either beats the crap out of them or gets throttled. We seem to play OSU tough every year but lose. Running 4th and 1 right in to Chase Young is part of the issue; the other part is they're good teams.
 

LaJollaCreek

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The most glaring issue with 'against top ten teams' is they are almost always Michigan and Ohio State, who are not only conference mates but also division rivals. So, we play them every year and are batting below .500 - it's a very difficult hill to climb but Franklin recruits as well or better than Michigan and either beats the crap out of them or gets throttled. We seem to play OSU tough every year but lose. Running 4th and 1 right in to Chase Young is part of the issue; the other part is they're good teams.

OSU talent > PSU talent. Is that a fair statement to make? OSU talent > all of the B1G in most years is also a fair statement to make. When James was talking about certain schools last week being ahead of the curve in pay for play, who in our conference do you think he was referring to? You put Chase Young on the PSU DL those last 2 years of his and I think those games turn out differently. Same with Wilkins who ended up at Clemson. Guessing a single play call when they fail is easy to do, I get it.

I just don't get worked up by it as the game is 4 quarters and there are a ton of plays in those first 3 quarters when you have a chance to put the game away. He went for it early on and failed against Auburn last year....at the time I disagreed as it was so early in the game...just punt it. He was trying to be aggressive and set the tone for his team....but since he won that game we're not really talking about it. When I look at the overall picture and health of the program, sorry I'm not getting worked up by cliche message board stuff that is floated around annually. This year he should field a good team, but the B1G east may have 3 top 10 teams in it. That's a bumpy road no matter how you dice it up.
 

CyphaPSU

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I think Franklin has a lot of the right ideas, but at times the political infrastructure of the athletic department and university has impeded some of his goals. Josh Pate essentially discussed that very notion last week on his podcast. Franklin has done well, in my opinion, with navigating a lot of the university politics. He may not be perfect, but I think he's truly the right fit for us and I'm looking forward to seeing how things go in the next few years with the greater alignment he has been wishing for.
 

Midnighter

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OSU talent > PSU talent. Is that a fair statement to make? OSU talent > all of the B1G in most years is also a fair statement to make. When James was talking about certain schools last week being ahead of the curve in pay for play, who in our conference do you think he was referring to? You put Chase Young on the PSU DL those last 2 years of his and I think those games turn out differently. Same with Wilkins who ended up at Clemson. Guessing a single play call when they fail is easy to do, I get it.

I just don't get worked up by it as the game is 4 quarters and there are a ton of plays in those first 3 quarters when you have a chance to put the game away. He went for it early on and failed against Auburn last year....at the time I disagreed as it was so early in the game...just punt it. He was trying to be aggressive and set the tone for his team....but since he won that game we're not really talking about it. When I look at the overall picture and health of the program, sorry I'm not getting worked up by cliche message board stuff that is floated around annually. This year he should field a good team, but the B1G east may have 3 top 10 teams in it. That's a bumpy road no matter how you dice it up.

No one nit picks the wins. It's like everything in life - people only complain about the negative. Is what it is. James gets that. And yes, OSU has more talent than anyone in the B1G. That said, they're 0-2 against Michigan the past two years and I'd argue our talent is on par or better than theirs (Harbaugh is simply a better game day coach than Franklin despite being an absolute loon - and I wouldn't trade Franklin for Harbaugh). There is a ton to be excited about and last season was terrific - would have been better to beat USC but nothing we can do about that. But if someone starts a thread asking, 'What's not to like?' and folks respond with their opinions, I don't get the inevitable and unwavering pushback.

Schitts Creek What GIF by CBC
 
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CyphaPSU

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And yes, OSU has more talent than anyone in the B1G. That said, they're 0-2 against Michigan the past two years and I'd argue our talent is on par or better than theirs (Harbaugh is simply a better game day coach than Franklin despite being an absolute loon - and I wouldn't trade Franklin for Harbaugh).
I agree with the premise about our level of talent being on par with Michigan. The relative equality in the team talent composite rankings over the last several seasons have provided support for that argument. OSU, despite losing to UM the past two years, were still stacked with more talent. We cannot forget that a segment of Michigan fans were clamoring for Harbaugh to be fired prior to these past two seasons. The running line about Michigan on PSU message boards had been that Michigan will continue be playing for third in the division. Harbaugh and Michigan just really found a way to get everything to start clicking in 2021 and 2022. Since we recruit about on the same level as Michigan, it does offer me hope that we, too, can get over the OSU hump more than just once when we can get things to fall into place. We're not far off.
 

marshall23

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Except that, for some reason, they exclude the $1mm p.a. insurance "loan" that never has to be repaid and is included in his buyout. That puts him at 12.
So no other coach has that perk? Even though many have the same agent?
 

LaJollaCreek

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So no other coach has that perk? Even though many have the same agent?
It doesn't even matter. Top 12-15 seems about right for where PSU is currently. This idea or premise you'll keep a good coach by being cheap in 2023 is absurd. Whether we like it or not, the market dictates what you are paying for a top 10-15 coach. Coaches and agents are pretty aware of this too. We just saw this with the hiring of the mens b-ball coach who hasn't won a single BT game yet, but is being paid like an upper half HC already.
 
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Grant Green

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My personal 5 aspects to evaluate a college football coach and JFs grades:

  • Establishing the culture of the program - A
  • Recruiting - B+ (needs to get more 5 star caliber players to get an A)
  • Hiring Assistant Coaches - B+
  • Player Development - B-
  • Game Day (includes game plans, adjustments, clock management, etc) - C-
 

marshall23

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It doesn't even matter. Top 12-15 seems about right for where PSU is currently. This idea or premise you'll keep a good coach by being cheap in 2023 is absurd. Whether we like it or not, the market dictates what you are paying for a top 10-15 coach. Coaches and agents are pretty aware of this too. We just saw this with the hiring of the mens b-ball coach who hasn't won a single BT game yet, but is being paid like an upper half HC already.
If PSU wins 10 or 11 again, it will be fun watching the outrage when he gets another bump.
 

marshall23

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My personal 5 aspects to evaluate a college football coach and JFs grades:

  • Establishing the culture of the program - A
  • Recruiting - B+ (needs to get more 5 star caliber players to get an A)
  • Hiring Assistant Coaches - B+
  • Player Development - B-
  • Game Day (includes game plans, adjustments, clock management, etc) - C-
LOL
 
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marshall23

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The only evaluation that matters is if Franklin decides to leave PSU he will sign a deal that comfortably exceeds what he is currently paid here.
 
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