Penn State December checklist: Hire a coordinator, secure 2022 class, and more

The final month of 2021 is here, and it will be a busy one for Penn State.

Head coach James Franklin has a hire to make, and he and his staff must close down the Class of 2022. There is bowl prep to be done, as well.

Here’s what is on the Nittany Lions’ checklist for December.

1. Penn State must finish strong on the recruiting trail

A strong argument could be made that Penn State’s biggest priority before the end of the year is hiring a replacement for Brent Pry. That is of utmost importance, of course. But, nothing tops ensuring that the new play-caller has plenty of tools at his disposal.

It’s why the list leader is making sure that all 25 Class of 2022 signees sign a National Letter of Intent on Dec. 15. The nation’s No. 6 class per the On3 Team Rankings includes a pair of On3 five-stars in quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nick Singleton. There are a total of 16 On3 Consensus four-stars, and the class is a mix of about half offensive players and half future defenders.

This is one of the best potential signing groups that Franklin has put together. Now, it’s time to lock them in so that arrival preparations can begin.

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2. Penn State can’t miss on its defensive coordinator hire

This is obvious, but the question is this: What will Franklin do?

He has two on-staff options in safeties coach Anthony Poindexter and corners coach Terry Smith. There are also plenty of outside names the eighth-year leader of the Lions could hire.

Regardless of the path taken, Franklin must nail this decision. He’s tied to Penn State long-term and this decision will have a major impact on how things play out both on game day and in recruiting. Of all the hires he’s had to make, the 49-year-old has had almost complete stability at defensive coordinator. Bob Shoop started in that role with him at Vanderbilt and stayed at Penn State until leaving for Tennessee. Then, Pry took over.

Franklin talks often about always having a list of candidates ready for any opening. Further, he can’t be shocked that Pry finally decided to become a head coach. But, having options and picking the right one are two different things. Franklin must do it, however.

3. Get ready for the bowl game

Penn State will learn its bowl game and opponent on Sunday afternoon.

The next few weeks are extremely valuable on the practice field. The Lions will be able to get lots of reps in for younger players who will need to contribute in 2022. There will also be a chance for someone to lead the defense in an interim capacity, which is good for coaching staff development.

Everyone wants to end each season on a winning note, but truthfully, the postseason outcome is mostly irrelevant when looking ahead to next year. Instead, gaining experience for all members of the roster but especially the ones who haven’t played much is what this time of year is all about.

4. Figure out any other coaching, roster changes

As of Wednesday morning, no Penn State player has entered the transfer portal besides safety Tyler Rudolph. It’s impossible to believe that will stay the case forever. However, when the news starts rolling in is anyone’s guess.

Some guys might want to get a jump on their search prior to the bowl game. Others could decide to focus solely on finishing this year before worrying about next. Either way, those entries are coming at some point.

As for the coaching staff, Franklin must decide if he’s going to make any changes. He must also be ready to replace any assistants or off-field personnel who leave for other jobs. Some of that might not become public until after the final game, but preparation for it can and must begin now.