James Franklin details weekly offense, defense influence: Notebook

Penn State head coach James Franklin took questions from the media for the second day this week on Wednesday, this time after practice. Meeting with reporters at Holuba Hall as players and staff left the field, Franklin tackled a variety of topics ranging from Kirk Ciarrocca’s return to his approach to the team following a loss.

Here’s a look at the pertinent news and notes to emerge from the session:

James Franklin post-practice notebook

1) Moving past a loss

Franklin was asked about his demeanor following a first loss of the season at Penn State and whether or not it has evolved in this, his ninth season with the program.

To recap, in five of eight seasons, Penn State has followed its first loss of the year with another in the next game. And, on two other occasions, the Nittany Lions lost a second game within the second game after the first loss.

Acknowledging immediately after the game at the Big House that it was critical to not let the rout linger into this week, this is how Franklin summed up his approach and how it has changed since he started with the Nittany Lions. 

“I think it has evolved. And I think that’s critical for our entire organization, for all the assistants, for myself, for the players. I think it’s really important,” Franklin said. “I think, at the end of the day, whether it’s practice, or whether it’s in our facility, the players are going to feed off of our energy.

“And there’s a fine line between making sure everybody understands that whenever the outcome was not good enough, but also not to the point where it lingers. That is critical. In this conference, and on our side of the conference, there’s no time for lingering feelings or emotions.”

2) The Ciarrocca factor

If there are any lingering feelings or emotions toward Ciarrocca, the offensive coordinator for the 2020 season who was let go after the Nittany Lions’ 4-5 season, Franklin hasn’t let it on this week.

Rather, pointing to the frequent turnover of college football staff members in today’s game, Franklin said the insights available to both Penn State and Minnesota are likely even ahead of this one.

“He’s got a really good understanding of who we are, and what we do, and how we operate, and our personnel. And, we got a pretty good understanding of what he likes to do offensively,” Franklin said. “We know the offense coordinator very well and what they’re going to do and how they’re going to operate. 

“You look at him. He’s got a very clear identity of who he’s been, wherever he’s been. And what they do, they do a really good job with. So, whether (Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan is) in the game or not, we got a pretty good idea of how they’re going to operate.” 

3) James Franklin’s oversight

Franklin was asked how he spends his meeting time with the program but knew the question he was answering.

Ultimately offering his insights into the amount he interjects or influences the operations on either side of the ball, Franklin said that he spends most of his time with the offense, but will also provide feedback to Manny Diaz on defense or Stacy Collins on special teams.

However, he stressed the limit of his influence on the process on the offensive side of the ball. 

“On offense, I spend more of my time there. But, it’s more of a sounding board for the offensive coordinator. And very rarely is there something that I’m adamant about,” Franklin said. “There are some things, whether it’s practice schedule, or certain things, that I’m adamant about. But, very rarely. Typically, I’m bringing a guy in and let him do his job, or I wouldn’t I wouldn’t have brought him in.”

4) Unexplained absence

Third-year running back Keyvone Lee was not seen at Penn State’s practice on Wednesday afternoon.

When asked about Lee not being at practice, the question was phrased as such.

“We didn’t see Keyvone Lee. I don’t know if he might have been in class, or.”

This is how Franklin responded.

“Keyvone was not out here. He was not in class. That’s accurate. As you know, I’m not going to get into… He wasn’t in class. And he wasn’t out here practicing.”

Lee saw 10 snaps on offense and special teams in Penn State’s loss at Michigan.