Live updates: James Franklin Peach Bowl press conference

Penn State head coach James Franklin is taking questions from the media following the announcement of his program’s Peach Bowl invitation.

Set for a matchup with Ole Miss, the Nittany Lions will meet a team mirroring their success this season. Each outfit now 10-2 following the regular season, Penn State is ranked No. 10 while the Rebels check in at No. 11.

Follow our live updates from the session, here:

James Franklin, Lane Kiffin press conference updates

(Page does not refresh automatically. Press conference has ended at 5:25 p.m.)

Questions via zoom

On TE coach going to East Carolina:

Kiffin: Thinks he will coach. Excited for him getting that job and being able to call offense and take next step in coaching career. Happy for him and trying to work out with him doing both jobs and still work for Ole Miss in the game. Will have a tireless effort to find the best coach they can for their players. Have had a lot of turnover over their four years.

On reactions to playoff picks:

Franklin: It’s like anything else, it depends on your lens. If you’re a Big Ten guy, you have that lens. SEC supporter, you have that lens. Reality is, had an opportunity to go to 12 teams this year and it would have solved a lot of issues for a lot of people right now. Could make an argument for a number of teams. And when it’s 12, there will be arguments for 13, 14, 15. But felt there was a solution before the season that would have helped with this a lot. But always tough decisions that have to be made and hurt feelings. Has been through it, winning the Big Ten and another team went to the playoffs. Understands the argument and discussion of all of it.

Kiffin: Like James said, a lot to do with your lens. In recruiting conversations with official visitors, asked who they think. Got to hear people from different areas with different answers. Easy arguments for all. Feels for FSU and players. Did everything they were asked to do and undefeated and that to happen, feels for them. Overcame a lot to do what they did.

On getting back to NY6 twice in three years and dividends in recruiting:

Kiffin: It does matter. In recruiting meetings with kids and families. Pretty neat to be able to say NY6 in two of last three. Want to finish better this time and notch first 11-win season in history of the school. But always helps to be able to say that to recruits and their families.

On balance of preparing for a bowl and the portal:

Franklin: That’s the challenge. Take care of current players and make sure they are developing and finishing strong academically. Then also finding new players to come in via portal. That’s the constant balance. Trying to do both constantly. Right at this time of year with transfer portal opening, magnified even more.

Kiffin: Big challenge to manage that at the same time. Portal doesn’t just mean guys you’re getting, it’s your own guys going in. A lot of challenges to it. That’s the world they live in now with a calendar that isn’t ideal or set up very well. Have to maximize it.

On getting NY6 berth and player reaction:

Lane: Did not have a watch party. We’re just here recruiting. Official visit weekend. In recruiting meetings. Found out on TV like everyone else. Excited about that. What a great matchup. Great stadium and city.

On role in opt outs for coaches:

Franklin: You hope that the relationships that are there that you’ve had with a number of years that they’ll use you in part of that process. But challenge in college football is agents talking to players entire careers. They’re getting info and it’s not always accurate from every direction. Try to give guys as much valuable info as possible. At end of the day, want guys to make great decisions based on the information.

Kiffin: Doesn’t think they have guys really in that conversation with that projection to potentially opt out.

On logistics, practice schedule:

Franklin: Ops guys have already got this all mapped out, sent to players and parents. But just got off a plane. Doesn’t have those things in front of him. Trying to balance recruiting with practices that are more like spring ball right now until they can come up with game plan specifics for Ole Miss. Then obviously have finals week as well. Still in recruiting, information gathering on Ole Miss.

On opt outs:

Lane: Have not heard of any. Expecting to not have any. Not really in one of those years with first rounders coming out with concern for injuries. Would not anticipate that happening.

On how much Lane knows about PSU personnel, vice versa personnel:

Lane: Doesn’t know a lot. People think they watch more football than they do. Without common opponents, doesn’t get to watch much football. Doesn’t see great teams like Penn State play. First rounders on defense, hoping James announces they opt out.

Franklin: Similar response. Sometimes when you’re sitting around the hotel, can watch a few games or highlights. Have some guys that they both recruited and are on each team, specifically their tailback. But besides that, coaches don’t make decisions or come up with a feel off seeing highlights or watching a game in the hotel. Very different from coaches film that they study. But obviously have seen a little bit, and Lane has done a great job developing and recruiting. 

But literally just getting started.

On preparation and approach on offense for Penn State:

Franklin: Made a change. Have co-coordinators that have done a great job. Similar deal for Andy to what Manny did. Sitting in meetings. Seeing strengths and weaknesses. The day the bowl ends, can jump in with both feet. Will keep things structured the same.

Kiffin: Sounds like we need to prepare for the last two weeks. Great players and great coaches. Have done a really good job the last few weeks. Excited to get some bowl practices before getting to Atlanta to play.

Opening statement

Kiffin: 

Looking forward to a great matchup. A lot of stuff going on. Bowls, recruiting visits, staff announcements. But couldn’t be more excited about bowl and matchup and coming to Atlanta.

Franklin:

Couldn’t be more excited. Great experience last time. Ton of respect for Ole Miss from time in the SEC. And obviously for Lane. Has known him a long time. Followed his career from afar. A lot of friends in common. Have watched them and seen exciting brand of football. 

Two strong programs with history. Also cool that Penn State has never played in the Peach Bowl. Should be great experience for players and fan. Big Ten and SEC, most respected college conferences.