Why did Penn State coach James Franklin fire offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich now?

Penn State coach James Franklin made the first coaching staff change during the regular season of his now 10-year tenure on Sunday when he fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. There were many reasons to make the move. The Lions offense was not explosive this season. The team’s running game regressed despite having many of the same pieces from 2022 back. Third downs have been an incredible problem, especially in the team’s two losses so far this season. And the receiver room has underperformed.

In other words, Franklin had plenty of reasons to make the move when he did. On Monday, however, he spoke to reporters for the first time since making it and dove into what made him do so.

“This was my decision,” Franklin said. Obviously, I don’t do anything in a silo. I run things up the ladder and have conversations. … These are tough decisions that have to be made. The quarterbacks, the discussion was good. Met with them before [Sunday] practice and right after practice ended. And, again, tough conversations, tough decisions, but I think handled as well as you can under tough circumstances.”

Franklin was not directly asked why he fired Yurcich. But, he mentioned that the offensive staff seems to be more collaborative since the move was made. And, he also said some things that were asked and planned for throughout a typical game week didn’t always show up on game day. He also said that losses to Michigan and Ohio State, and how the offense has played in those setbacks, played a big role in the final decision. He also said how the game plan is developed and the implementation and execution of the plan needed to be better, too.

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

“Appreciate the contributions that Coach Yurcich made here,” Franklin said. “Obviously, we made a tough decision, what we felt like was in the best interest of the program, moving forward.”

Why did Franklin make the move now?

“Very difficult from a personal perspective, professional perspective, and then in terms of the timing, 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.”

Penn State will now look for its sixth offensive coordinator in the last 10 years. Running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider and tight ends coach Ty Howle will fill the duties Yurcich vacated in the interim. The Lions return to the field Saturday when Rutgers comes to Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on Fox Sports One.

What’s up with Rutgers?

Rutgers can simply be summed up as a team that has (or at least had) a strong defense with very little semblance of an offense. The Scarlet Knights were just shut out 22-0 at Iowa. Fourteen of the Hawkeyes’ 22 points came in the fourth quarter, however, when the RU defense was surely shot after what ultimately ended up being 38 minutes on the field. So, a tired, weary defense is coming to State College. And, the offense is dealing with injuries, including an undisclosed one for star running back Kyle Monagai, who leads the Big Ten with an average of 94.2 rushing yards per game and a conference-high 942 yards this season.

Gavin Wimsatt has nearly as many interceptions (six) as passing touchdowns (eight) as the team’s starting quarterback. Christian Dremel is the team’s leading receiver with 30 catches for 390 yards and two touchdowns. No. 2 option JaQuae Jackson was hurt last week and his status is unclear. Linebackers Deion Jennings and Mohamed Toure lead Rutgers into Penn State with 74 and 79 tackles so far, respectively.

Early Penn State-Rutgers storylines

–Can the Rutgers defense cause Penn State problems on offense? That is easily the Scarlet Knights’ best unit on the field. And, the Lions have shown they are capable of struggling to move the ball against any opponent.

–Will any surprise players go through Senior Day festivities? That list is always of interest for this very reason. It will come out on Friday.

–Is receiver Harrison Wallace III going to return for Penn State this week? He was out last week but was seen on the field during pregame warmups with his right arm no longer in a brace. We doubt it. But, time will tell.

–Will Monagai play for Rutgers? Their offense is struggles to move the ball with him in the lineup. It will face a taller task if he’s out this week. We’ll learn more throughout the week. But, it is easily one of the top topics to watch over the next few days.