Penn State coach James Franklin talks defensive coordinator search, Brent Pry leaving
Penn State coach James Franklin has made his first public comments since Brent Pry left for Virginia Tech.
The longtime assistant coach took the Hokies head coaching job earlier this week. The Nittany Lions have not yet named a replacement.
Franklin has been balancing recruiting during the December contact period and is now preparing for the Outback Bowl opposite Arkansas. The eighth-year leader of the Lions has also been working on finding a new defensive play caller.
“I would say that I’m kind of split on it right,” Franklin said. “Super excited and happy and proud for Brent and his family. I think he’s a great fit at Virginia Tech. This is the type of opportunity that we talked about for 12 years. He turned down a bunch opportunities waiting for the right one and this was the right one, so I couldn’t be happier for him and I think it’s a great fit. A tremendous opportunity.
“On the other hand of it, you talk about a significant loss. Personally and professionally. Brent’s one of my closest friends. We’ve been together for 12 years, been through a lot together.”
Franklin on Pry leaving and Penn State’s open defensive coordinator spot
Pry was one of Franklin’s longest-tenured staffers. As the quote above mentioned, he’s also a close personal friend.
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It will be hard to replace the Altoona native. But, it has to happen. A hire doesn’t have to be made sooner rather than later, though. The sixth-ranked Penn State Class of 2022 seems to be content with trusting Franklin to make the right call. It’s not dissimilar from how the Lions went about replacing Ricky Rahne with Kirk Ciarrocca in 2019. That process lasted most of December and through the early signing period.
“I’m on the road right now with Ty Howell and Taylor Stubblefield and Coach Yurcich,” Franklin said. “We just finished our second home visit. We’re on our third on the way to our third home visit right now. And then, I’m also making the calls and taking calls from people for our coordinator position. I’d like to try to get it done as soon as possible but I want to make sure that we also get the right person. That takes time.
“The other challenge is, with as many jobs that are open right now; a lot of people are fighting for the same guy. There’s a lot of competition out there from that perspective as well. So, that’s kind of where we’re at.”
Franklin spent Sunday in Ohio
Via social media, Franklin and some of his assistants were on the road to see recruits Sunday. Two of the stops took the group to see Medina, Ohio quarterback Drew Allar and Westerville, Ohio receiver Kaden Saunders.
