Who is your choice for DC?

Lionville

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Oct 19, 2021
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He’s probably tired of this routine with outsiders. I say he promotes from within. Dex and Smiff co-DC’s. Connor to coach LB’s.
 
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Georgia Peach

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Oct 28, 2021
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He’s probably tired of this routine with outsiders. I say he promotes from within. Dex and Smiff co-DC’s. Connor to coach LB’s.
The recent "outsider" hires have been pretty good, yes? I think he goes outside again because he will have something shiny to sell and will be able to attract quality applicants. There will be no shortage of interest across the country.
 
Jun 24, 2024
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Do we need one? Cost-savings opportunity. Companies often do not fill open positions
CJF has made some great staff hires....and also a few clunkers. Just seems PSU has become a reclamation destination for coaches to go and look good then leave. Do Asst Coaches have buyout clauses in their contract? IIRC wasn't there a snafu when Shoop left for Tennessee? This 1 - 2 year turnover isn't good.
 
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Grant Green

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Oct 12, 2021
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CJF has made some great staff hires....and also a few clunkers. Just seems PSU has become a reclamation destination for coaches to go and look good then leave. Do Asst Coaches have buyout clauses in their contract? IIRC wasn't there a snafu when Shoop left for Tennessee? This 1 - 2 year turnover isn't good.
I seem to recall him saying that he likes to look at coordinators that are former HCs, so that is going to come with the territory. If you are consistently a really good team, you have to expect that you are going to lose coordinators to HC jobs anyway (see Alabama).
 

Erial_Lion

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I seem to recall him saying that he likes to look at coordinators that are former HCs, so that is going to come with the territory. If you are consistently a really good team, you have to expect that you are going to lose coordinators to HC jobs anyway (see Alabama).
Tough to fit anyone into the vin diagram of both crossing paths with Franklin, being a former Head Coach, defensive experience (or even a geographical fit), etc. Mel Tucker? I'd say Pat Fitzgerald (and would love it), but don't think we'd go that route. Jim Leonhard? If we're really just looking for the Head Coaching experience and defensive minded, Gary Patterson or Ed Orgeron?
 

Grant Green

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Tough to fit anyone into the vin diagram of both crossing paths with Franklin, being a former Head Coach, defensive experience (or even a geographical fit), etc. Mel Tucker? I'd say Pat Fitzgerald (and would love it), but don't think we'd go that route. Jim Leonhard? If we're really just looking for the Head Coaching experience and defensive minded, Gary Patterson or Ed Orgeron?
Fitz or Patterson would interest me. Not sure about Ed O.
Promoting from within not the worst idea.
 

Georgia Peach

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Tough to fit anyone into the vin diagram of both crossing paths with Franklin, being a former Head Coach, defensive experience (or even a geographical fit), etc. Mel Tucker? I'd say Pat Fitzgerald (and would love it), but don't think we'd go that route. Jim Leonhard? If we're really just looking for the Head Coaching experience and defensive minded, Gary Patterson or Ed Orgeron?
Orgeron? Baggage. Fitzgerald? Baggage. Mel Tucker? Huge baggage. With many of the top players with eligibility returning he needs to make a safe and quality hire. Given next year's prospects it should be an attractive job.
 
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Erial_Lion

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Orgeron? Baggage. Fitzgerald? Baggage. Mel Tucker? Huge baggage. With many of the top players with eligibility returning he needs to make a safe and quality hire. Given next year's prospects it should be an attractive job.
I had forgotten that Tucker has those issues...he's probably even more unlikely than Fitz. Whoever eventually takes a chance on Fitz again will be rewarded I'd think. But I don't expect it to be us.

I don't think that Orgeron's past would hurt his future prospects at this point.
 

Nitt1300

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There is a lot on the line, but the current staff is neither stale nor inexperienced. Hire from within this time.
 
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PSUJam

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Have to pick a DC who's defense scheme fits our personel. Especially with how thin we now are at LB.
 

MrTailgate

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Oct 19, 2021
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I had forgotten that Tucker has those issues...he's probably even more unlikely than Fitz. Whoever eventually takes a chance on Fitz again will be rewarded I'd think. But I don't expect it to be us.

I don't think that Orgeron's past would hurt his future prospects at this point.
There are numerous reasons why Fitzgerald has not been visible. Those reasons are still ongoing so he isn’t most likely coaching anywhere next year, maybe longer. There is one BIG destination that makes sense for him and it’s not Penn St.
 
Jun 24, 2024
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I seem to recall him saying that he likes to look at coordinators that are former HCs, so that is going to come with the territory. If you are consistently a really good team, you have to expect that you are going to lose coordinators to HC jobs anyway (see Alabama).
That being said....the obvious choice to me is Pat Fitzgerald.

Well I am unaware of issues with Fitzgerald thus maybe he isn't the obvious choice.....although I'd love it.
 
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Thorndike2021

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Oct 12, 2021
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Dick LeBeau might be a great choice. At 87 he would still be tougher than most of his players. But he seems to be enjoying his retirement.

Given this, Tim Banks would be my first choice. He's done very well at Tenn. Excellent recruiter, has worked well with CJF, and has become a proven DC in the SEC.

I could see CJF taking a run at someone like Ephraim Banda though. Banda was a Manny Diaz acolyte for quite a while and would run a similar scheme. He has some recruiting and NFL experience.
 
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mmp121

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Oct 8, 2021
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As I type this, there is a private jet flying from State College to Orange County. No idea who might be onboard.
Likely looking for a prime piece of land in the Palisades. There could be deals to be had...