What does James Franklin want in Penn State's next offensive coordinator, and what's the hiring timeline?

Penn State coach James Franklin will not rush to hire a new offensive coordinator. But, the 10th-year leader of the Nittany Lions does not want to wait forever, either, to find Mike Yurcich’s replacement. All of that was very clear on Monday during the head coach’s first news conference since moving on from the third-year play caller. But, the exact timeline is as clear as mud for various reasons.

“So, sooner rather than later,” Franklin said when asked about a hiring timeline. “But, it’s hard. Hiring someone is like a full-time job. So, can’t really have two full-time jobs right now. So, the most important thing is for us to play well this week and finish the season the right way. And then, during that process, be working through kind of narrowing down a list. I already have a list. It’s narrowing it down, it’s running all the numbers, it’s seeing if people are interested, and then trying to find a way to get that turned over as soon as we possibly can through maybe some ZOMM calls, some in-person interviews.

“And, in a perfect world, I think you’d like, if you could, to have a situation like [Penn State] did with Manny [Diaz], where we hired him, had him here for the bowl game, I think we’ve done that at other times as well. So now they’re here. They’re around the guys. They see how we operate, they see how we meet, they get a feel for the culture, they’re able to watch and evaluate the players and say, ‘Okay, here’s areas where we’re strong. Here’s areas where we need to maybe find some solutions.’ I think there’s value in doing that if possible. But that’s not always the case.

“With Manny, it just worked out where he was available and could be hired and was willing to come. Some people are still in positions that they need to finish out their seasons. And so, we’ll see. It depends on which direction we go, who we hire, and kind of where they’re at in their careers. An NFL guys, a college guy; is it a guy who’s currently going to be in a bowl game, or is it a guy who’s out?”

What is James Franklin looking for in the next Penn State offensive coordinator?

Some themes became clear during Franklin’s news conference. Penn State needs someone who can direct an offense at a high enough level to beat the best opponents on the schedule year in and year out. It seeks someone who can develop a good plan via collaboration with the rest of the offensive staff and then implement it, and have it executed by the players, as designed and intended. What else is the Lions leader looking for?

“We need to play well,” Franklin said. “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. That’s why you come to a place like Penn State, as a player. And, we understand what what comes with that, the positives and the challenges. You embrace it, or you don’t come to a place like Penn State. In terms of what I’m looking for on offense is again, back to that point: Someday 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 did Franklin make the move when he did?

The head coach answered that question head-on Monday.

“I just think 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, I’m not great at faking it,” Franklin said. “I want to be as transparent and upfront as I can possibly be. When you get to the point when you feel like that’s the right decision, I think you make it.

“When you feel like that’s the decision, you don’t delay the decision as long as you feel like you have some internal options that can do it.”

More coverage of Mike Yurcich’s firing and Penn State’s coordinator search

Penn State football offensive coordinator Hot Board: Who are the Lions’ early possibilities?

Who will call plays for the Penn State offense moving forward?

Analysis: Penn State big game offensive failures make move necessary