James Franklin opens up on how quarterbacks are handling coaching staff change

Following the loss to Michigan, Penn State head coach James Franklin made the decision to move on from offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Mike Yurcich. It was a big move to make and it was a move that undoubtedly is going to have an impact on Penn State’s young quarterbacks.

With that coaching change, Franklin shared how those quarterbacks are handling the move.

“I think it goes back to what I tried to say to you guys before, it’s not that we’re trying to hold information from you guys,” James Franklin said. “But I want to be able to have healthy dialogue and conversations rather than you just read something online and you don’t understand and it’s shocking and you can’t talk it through. That’s to me when it becomes problematic. Or, as a leader, you’re not communicative. And, you don’t talk it through and explain, and talk to the parents, and talk to the high school coach, and talk to the trainers, and talk to the guys.”

The Penn State quarterback room is headlined by Drew Allar. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Allar was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2022. However, he’s yet to live up to that ranking, particularly struggling in big games and to throw downfield.

Beyond Allar, Beau Pribula, Jaxon Smolik, Karson Kiesewetter, and Jack Lambert round out the quarterback room. None of those quarterbacks are older than a sophomore.

“But, it’s been good. They’ve handled it well. Obviously, it’s a tough situation but, they’ve they’ve handled it well. And I think also, they got a ton of respect for Danny, and Danny has been with those guys, a lot of them, through the recruiting process and afterward,” Franklin said.

“So, I think that helped. If it would have been somebody completely new coming into that room that hadn’t been with him, I think that could have been more challenging.”

Penn State has two games left in the regular season, starting with Rutgers this weekend.

James Franklin addresses the decision to fire Mike Yurcich

The timing of Mike Yurcich’s firing caught plenty of people by surprise. However, it was a move that James Franklin felt he had to make when he did.

“Obviously, the first thing is appreciate the contributions that Coach Yurcich made here,” Franklin said. “Obviously, we made a tough decision that we feel like was in the best interest of the program moving forward. I know there’s going to be some questions and I’ll answer some questions but obviously would like to spend as much time talking about our opponent this week as possible.”

James Franklin added that it was a very difficult decision from both a personal and a professional perspective. However, he knew it was going to happen and made the move right away.

“Very difficult. Very difficult from a personal perspective, very difficult from a professional perspective. In terms of the timing. I think for most people and most situations, if you’ve gotten to the point where you feel like that’s what you’re going to do, I’m not great at faking it. I want to be as transparent and as honest as upfront as I possibly can be,” Franklin said.

“So, when you get to the point that you feel that’s the right decision, then I think you make it and part of that, also, is the belief of the rest of the staff and the guys in the Lasch Building and the locker room. But, to me, when you feel that’s the decision, in my opinion, you don’t delay the decision as long as you feel like you have some internal options that can do it.”