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The bottom line of why Penn State is moving on from Mike Yurcich

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr11/13/23

ThomasFrankCarr

James Franklin Penn State Football On3
Penn State head football coach James Franklin looks around before walking off the field following a 24-15 loss to Michigan at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (Photo: Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Penn State fans are buzzing about the team’s decision to move on from offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. Head coach James Franklin spoke at his Monday press conference about the move. Now, we’re continuing the conversation on our press conference recap. Senior Editor Nate Bauer gives his thoughts on the decision to move on from Yurcich and what the core of the issue was for Franklin. 

Check out the full video here, or on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel. 

Franklin on what he wants in the next Penn State OC

It was a simple answer to a complex question that Franklin fielded earlier today. What do you want in the next offensive coordinator that you didn’t get from this previous one? 

James Franklin discusses moving on from Mike Yurcich: Press conference

“So at the end of the day, we need to play well, and we need to play well against our toughest opponents. That’s the reality of it. We embrace that. That’s why you come to a place like Penn State as a coach, as a player, and we understand what comes with that, you know, the positives and the challenges. You embrace it or don’t come to a place like Penn State,” he said. 

Overall production is great, but being great when it matters was the key. 

“In terms of what I’m looking for on offense, is, again, back to that point: Somebody that’s going to put us in the best position to play our best football when it’s needed most and against the best competition.”

Why make the move now?

Franklin didn’t mince words about why he decided to pull the trigger on firing Yurcich with two games left for Penn State in the regular season. 

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“If you’ve gotten to the point where you feel like that’s what you’re going to do, I’m not great at like, faking it, you know. I want to be as transparent and up front as I possibly can be.”

“So when you get to the point you feel like that’s the right decision, then I think you make it. Part of this also is the belief of the rest of the staff and the guys in the Lasch Building and the locker room.”

So, despite being a man down in the process against a tough Rutgers defense, Franklin thinks it was the best decision for the Penn State offense. 

“But to me, when you feel like that’s the decision, in my opinion, you don’t delay that decision as long as you feel like you have some internal options that can do it.”

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