James Franklin weekly press conference: Live updates

Penn State head coach James Franklin is back at the Beaver Stadium podium on Monday afternoon. His first time in front of reporters since dropping a 24-15 decision to Michigan on Saturday, much news has taken place in the interim.

Sunday afternoon, Franklin fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. The decision came after a sixth loss to the combination of the Wolverines and Ohio State over the past three seasons. It also marked the end of a time of dramatic shortcomings offensively during losses.

Over the Nittany Lions’ 10 losses the past three seasons, average non-garbage time points per game checked out at just 12.7.

Monday afternoon, Franklin will take questions from reporters discussing what went wrong, where the Nittany Lions go from here, and more.

James Franklin weekly press conference updates

(Press conference begins at noon. Page doesn’t refresh automatically. Topics and answers are paraphrased.)

Question in the room

On the lesson of this:

To win the way they want at the highest level, every unit needs to be producing and working at the highest level, year round. There have been a lot of hurdles and battle s to get there since they arrived on campus. Reality is, can’t afford to not be thriving in all of those areas to beat people they want on a consistent basis. Most important thing they can do is get the right people in the building. That is staff. That is players. Give them all the support they need to be successful. In the people business. Have to get right people at Penn State and then get them all the resources and support needed to support at the highest level.

On how he’d like Drew to look on Saturday. How to handle these guys the rest of the season:

Had really good conversations with them. Really good conversations with their families. Feels good about that. Would love to finish on a high note this year as a team and offense and at QB position. No doubt about it. Feels good about that moving forward in terms of relationships in the building. That doesn’t say anything about other relationships. Those were important as well. But playing well to end the season, and then hire needs to complement what they have in the building and on the field.

On creation of plan and implementation both needing to change:

Yes. Felt like both of those things needed to change. How they came up with the plan. Implementation of it. All those things. Execution of the plan. You don’t make this decision without feeling that way.

On how to close gap with Ohio State and Michigan:

1-7 the last four years against those two was a big part of that decision. It’s everything. Every unit needs to be operating at the highest level. Had times where they’ve done that, but have times where they’ve been strong in some areas and not others. That’s how you do it. And that was a big part of the decision.

On fans having hope:

Saying something is one thing. Production is another. Have lost to two of the best teams in college football who are also on the same side of conference. So saying things is fine, but end of the day, it’s about actions. Also believes they’re better positioned now than ever before based on alignment for first time. That is probably the reason he’s as hopeful and excited as he’s ever been. But it’s not like these people get in these positions and six months later, snap fingers and things are fixed. It takes time. In a position to do that.

On timeline to finding someone:

Sooner rather than later. Hiring is a full time job. Can’t have two full time jobs. Already has a list. Narrowing it down. Running all the numbers. Seeing if people are interested. And then trying to find a way to get that turned over as soon as possible, maybe some zoom calls, in person interviews. And in a perfect world, would like to have a situation like they did with Manny, hired, had for bowl game, so they’re here, around the guys, see how they operate. Get a feel for culture, can evaluate players. There is value in doing that if possible, but not always the case. With Manny, it just worked out where he was available, could be hired, and willing to come. Other people are in positions they need to finish their seasons. Depends on direction they go, who they hire, and where they’re at. NFL, college, bowl game, or a guy who is out.

On Ty and Ja’Juan being trusted:

Widely respected, fiercely loyal, and also Penn State is very important to both of them. Ja’Juan here six years. Ty a letterman and grad. Ty also has called plays before. Ja’Juan played QB not only  in college but NFL. Has that background as well. Have recruited and developed two of better positions. All of those things. Knows what he’ll get from them. Knows how collaborative they’ll be with staff. And widely respected by the players. Thinks they’re working really well. Started early this morning. Just walked out of there to come over here. They’re doing a good job.

Rutgers really good on defense, but will have a good plan to put players in best position to be successful.

On searching for OCs:

Wouldn’t describe it that way. If you look at the nature of college football, there is a ton of turnover. Why? Some for positive reasons. Two for head coaching opportunities, which is awesome and what you want. In terms of the other end of the spectrum, this is a place with very high expectations and standards. Have to make sure that each area – strength and conditioning, academics, offense, defense, special teams – to go where they want, need each of those units producing on a very high level consistently to go where they want.

If they are, guys get opportunities to go elsewhere for head coaching opportunities. If not, decisions need to be made. Either way, you’re going to have turnover in college football.

On timing and difficulty:

Very difficult from personal and professional perspective.

The timing, just thinks 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, not great at faking it. Wants to be as transparent and up front as possible. So when you get to the point you think that’s the right decision, you make it. Part of that is also the rest of the staff, Lasch and locker room. But when you feel like that’s the decision, you don’t delay the decision as long as you feel like you have internal options that can do it.

Questions over zoom

On receivers creating lots of problems for offense:

Have talked in the offseason the development at that position, depth, trying to find a No. 3 before they lost Trey. Then lose Trey, and now it’s back to figuring out No. 2. There is a little bit that goes around to a lot of different groups. But have talked about that position, development, recruitment, playmaking on a consistent basis. But would not describe it that way.

On how to reassure fans that things will get better and what he’s looking for in new OC that didn’t have presently:

At end of the day, need to play well, and do it against toughest opponents. That’s the reality of it. Embrace that. That’s why you come to a place like Penn State as a coach or player. Understand what comes with that, positives and challenges. 

In terms of what he’s looking for, someone that will put them in the best position to play best football when it’s needed most, against the best competition.

On what he heard Saturday leaving the field:

In 2016, came here in a tough time, that was first year off sanctions and back to full scholarships. So that was a different time. Is much more calloused at this stage in his career. Thicker skin between us and his wife. Doesn’t really get into those things. Controls what he can and not those other things.

On how Drew Allar has handled it:

It’s hard because you’re trying to be respectful of the process. Mike and his family. The quarterbacks. Calling their families to explain how they got here. A lot of moving parts so you’re keeping it as quiet as you can and not reading on social media.

Met with all QBs first. They were first to know. Then addressed with the team. Then plan was for them to call parents after practice and let them know. That plan went according to plan except for while at practice, it leaked, and parents found out before he could call them.

But QBs and players heard it from him. Not something they take lightly. Tough decisions that affect a lot of people. Super respectful of that. But also has responsibilities to fans, alumni, lettermen, all players.

QB discussion was good. Met before practice. Met right after practice to see if they had more questions or concerns.

In terms of being involved in hiring process, that’s a no for Drew. But are they a part of that decision? Yes. In terms of who to bring in, why to bring them in, do they fit the person being brought in, does everyone understand what they’re signing up for. And then, just like this decision, want them to be the first to know. Would like for QBs and team to hear it first, rather than it be on social media. 

Then on top of that, has been through this himself. Sometimes the name getting out there hurts in your chances of actually hiring them. Even with head coaching positions. A lot of times it’s out there and public, they turn job down because they can’t afford it to play out. That’s why you try to keep it quiet as much as you can.

Ty will be upstairs, Ja’Juan on the sideline. That won’t change.

Danny is involved in the quarterbacks. James will be in all the quarterback meetings with Danny. Also allows them to bump somebody up as another voice on the headset. Working through that today. In terms of QBs, Danny and himself.

On plan moving forward:

JaJuan and Ty will handle game planning. A little bit more collaborative right now than what they’ve been recently. It’s been good. Just got out of that meeting. Presence is similar to what it’s been in the past over his 13 years as head coach.

In terms of play calling, will work that out throughout this week and on game day. Both will have a role in play calling.

On influence asking for more easy passes:

As you can imagine, has conversations about all the things he has concerns about. Moreno than he speaks in the press conferences. Whether it’s openers, third down, starting fast, all those things they’ve had lengthy discussions about and had a plan for. But a lot of times, getting to the games, either didn’t call the games that way or execute the games the way they were intended. Those things were asked.

Opening statement

Appreciate the contributions of Mike Yurcich to the program. Doesn’t want to spent the whole press conference on it but understands there will be questions.

Rutgers: Ton of respect for Schiano in his career and at Rutgers. His background as defensive guy, in the NFL as well as college, does a really good job. Has done it for a really long time. Hire with Kirk Ciarrocca, have a ton of respect for him, has been a really good hire for them. 

Impressed on offense by running back. Tight end Johnny Langen. 

Defensively, Really good job. Year two for him and numbers dramatically increased across the board. Really good. Make you earn everything. Limit explosive plays in run and pass. Numbers better in the pass, but really in both areas. Impressed by 17 Jennings, cornerback Melton.