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Al Golden

NittanyLionRoar

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2011
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With Freeman getting NFL interviews, how possible would Al Golden be, should Franklin act patiently?
 
With Freeman getting NFL interviews, how possible would Al Golden be, should Franklin act patiently?
That and I doubt ND would promote Golden but the next coach if that were to happen might want to retain him especially if they beat OSU which I'm not expecting.
 
Some morons would want to make him the hc after every loss. He is a .500 coach with zero top 10 wins.
That doesn’t make sense to me. If the team is doing so “poorly” that you want the HC gone, why would you harp for one of the coordinators to take over?

Getting Golden is no different than bringing in Manny or Allen who were previous head coaches
 
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That doesn’t make sense to me. If the team is doing so “poorly” that you want the HC gone, why would you harp for one of the coordinators to take over?

Getting Golden is no different than bringing in Manny or Allen who were precious head coaches
It's not the same as Diaz or Allen--just like people still want Rhule for no good reason
It's 100% different--and you know that.
 
It's not the same as Diaz or Allen--just like people still want Rhule for no good reason
It's 100% different--and you know that.
I don’t see people clamoring for Golden for HC. We all know how it went for him in Miami-FL and I don't really see any specific hype anymore among PSU fans to want him as a HC.

And I actually think people are more likely to argue for him as a replacement HC if he’s DC on another team (grass seems greener) than if he is on staff at PSU.
 
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Some morons would want to make him the hc after every loss. He is a .500 coach with zero top 10 wins.
Franklin won't be inviting any potential problems among the alums. But I think he would now be better than anyone on the mentioned hot board. But probably isn't happening.
 
I don’t see people clamoring for Golden for HC. We all know how it went for him in Miami-FL. And I actually think people are more likely to ask about him if he’s DC on another team (grass seems greener) than if he is on staff at PSU.
Completely disagree--if he's on the staff people will want him to take over
Not saying you--but we all know that's true
 
Completely disagree--if he's on the staff people will want him to take over
Not saying you--but we all know that's true
Right now we need a Defensive Coordinator who will not leave after a year or two on the job. We keep bringing in outside people who have no allegiance to PSU and if they do a good job they are off to a bigger and better job. If they don’t do a good job they are fired. We will worry about who is next head coach
when that time comes. Right now Franklin is the man and if he hires the right Coordinators he will remain the Head Coach for as long as he wants to be here.
Some people may want Golden as Head Coach but that is a small group and they will want him whether he is DC at Notre Dame or PSU.
Franklin could earn a lot of PSU capital if he brought in Golden as DC. But who knows maybe he wouldn’t even want the job. Have no idea what he thinks of Franklin.
 
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Right now we need a Defensive Coordinator who will not leave after a year or two on the job. We keep bringing in outside people who have no allegiance to PSU and if they do a good job they are off to a bigger and better job. If they don’t do a good job they are fired. We will worry about who is next head coach
when that time comes. Right now Franklin is the man and if he hires the right Coordinators he will remain the Head Coach for as long as he wants to be here.
Some people may want Golden as Head Coach but that is a small group and they will want him whether he is DC at Notre Dame or PSU.
Franklin could earn a lot of PSU capital if he brought in Golden as DC. But who knows maybe he wouldn’t even want the job. Have no idea what he thinks of Franklin.
That's not college football these days. Nobody is holding on to coordinators for long. If you bring in someone and they do a good job, like most of the Franklin coordinators have done, they're going to get offers to move on and get promoted.
 
That's not college football these days. Nobody is holding on to coordinators for long. If you bring in someone and they do a good job, like most of the Franklin coordinators have done, they're going to get offers to move on and get promoted.
The last thing you want is a DC that no one else wants, I agree.
 
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Right now we need a Defensive Coordinator who will not leave after a year or two on the job. We keep bringing in outside people who have no allegiance to PSU and if they do a good job they are off to a bigger and better job. If they don’t do a good job they are fired. We will worry about who is next head coach
when that time comes. Right now Franklin is the man and if he hires the right Coordinators he will remain the Head Coach for as long as he wants to be here.
Some people may want Golden as Head Coach but that is a small group and they will want him whether he is DC at Notre Dame or PSU.
Franklin could earn a lot of PSU capital if he brought in Golden as DC. But who knows maybe he wouldn’t even want the job. Have no idea what he thinks of Franklin.
What schools hire guys with ties? That's unheard of. Franklin had no ties to Penn State. Coordinators leave. They should leave. It's odd for any top program to have consistency at those spots. Venables is the exception.
Golden isn't a smart choice under any circumstance for Franklin.
 
That doesn’t make sense to me. If the team is doing so “poorly” that you want the HC gone, why would you harp for one of the coordinators to take over?

Getting Golden is no different than bringing in Manny or Allen who were precious head coaches


The joebots are more interested in having joe reincarnated than winning.

If winning was their goal they why do they want matt rhule to be hc or Danton Lynn to be DC when both of their teams did poorly this year?
 
The joebots are more interested in having joe reincarnated than winning.

If winning was their goal they why do they want matt rhule to be hc or Danton Lynn to be DC when both of their teams did poorly this year?
D'Anton Lynn isn't about Joe. USC doing poorly isn't a reflection on him. He's 35 and one of the bigger up & comers in the game for DCs. He has NFL experience (Bills, Ravens, Texans) and has been a DC for 2 years already.
Rhule is simply "he's a Paterno prodigy"---same with Golden. Not Lynn.
Very weird you anti-Lynn--you go too far in the opposite direction to make a point.
Hopefully they get Ephraim Banda now but of the names mentioned only Knowles was a better/safer bet than Lynn.
 
What schools hire guys with ties? That's unheard of. Franklin had no ties to Penn State. Coordinators leave. They should leave. It's odd for any top program to have consistency at those spots. Venables is the exception.
Golden isn't a smart choice under any circumstance
Golden would be a good hire under "ANY" circumstances. Fans shouldn't be worried about feelings or politics or some day down the road. It's about about getting the best D coordinator Penn State can get and nothing else.
 
Franklin may be waiting for Golden until after Monday. Maybe this Browns guy but why has he not been hired or at least interviewed (maybe he has).

I would be fine with Golden and he is a good DC based on ND performance. Franklin would not hire him if he thinks there could be bad chemistry or he is somehow living in the past with Joe or some weird dynamic. Franklin doesn't care what the internet fans think.

I don't think Knowles comes here. Why would he?
 
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Right now we need a Defensive Coordinator who will not leave after a year or two on the job. We keep bringing in outside people who have no allegiance to PSU and if they do a good job they are off to a bigger and better job. If they don’t do a good job they are fired. We will worry about who is next head coach
when that time comes. Right now Franklin is the man and if he hires the right Coordinators he will remain the Head Coach for as long as he wants to be here.
Some people may want Golden as Head Coach but that is a small group and they will want him whether he is DC at Notre Dame or PSU.
Franklin could earn a lot of PSU capital if he brought in Golden as DC. But who knows maybe he wouldn’t even want the job. Have no idea what he thinks of Franklin.
I doubt Golden is in consideration. Hope I'm wrong. IMO it looks like it's going to be Poindexter assuming we know all the candidates, but I would bet we don't.
 
Franklin may be waiting for Golden until after Monday. Maybe this Browns guy but why has he not been hired or at least interviewed (maybe he has).

I would be fine with Golden and he is a good DC based on ND performance. Franklin would not hire him if he thinks there could be bad chemistry or he is somehow living in the past with Joe or some weird dynamic. Franklin doesn't care what the internet fans think.

I don't think Knowles comes here. Why would he?
If what we know of who the candidates are is correct, we better pray we get Golden.
 
Why Bradley if we're reaching into the distant past. Lj Sr? He might want a promotion if he isnt DC at OSU. Just spitballing.
 
Right now we need a Defensive Coordinator who will not leave after a year or two on the job. We keep bringing in outside people who have no allegiance to PSU and if they do a good job they are off to a bigger and better job. If they don’t do a good job they are fired. We will worry about who is next head coach
when that time comes. Right now Franklin is the man and if he hires the right Coordinators he will remain the Head Coach for as long as he wants to be here.
Some people may want Golden as Head Coach but that is a small group and they will want him whether he is DC at Notre Dame or PSU.
Franklin could earn a lot of PSU capital if he brought in Golden as DC. But who knows maybe he wouldn’t even want the job. Have no idea what he thinks of Franklin.
Bringing in Golden could be a double edged sword but of the candidates left that we know of Golden is now at the top of my list.
 
If what we know of who the candidates are is correct, we better pray we get Golden.
Is Golden better than Poindexter? Golden has more experience but Poindexter knows our system and Franklin. He has been co-defensive coordinator. Not sure what that means. Was he equal to Allen? No, I don't think so but was doing coordinator type things. He coached with Diaz. Not sure if he was the co-defensive coordinator with Diaz. He has done a good job strengthening our safeties room. I think he is a viable candidate but why hasn't Franklin made the move? Maybe they are in negotiations and will announce Poindexter soon.
 
Is Golden better than Poindexter? Golden has more experience but Poindexter knows our system and Franklin. He has been co-defensive coordinator. Not sure what that means. Was he equal to Allen? No, I don't think so but was doing coordinator type things. He coached with Diaz. Not sure if he was the co-defensive coordinator with Diaz. He has done a good job strengthening our safeties room. I think he is a viable candidate but why hasn't Franklin made the move? Maybe they are in negotiations and will announce Poindexter soon.
I am SIMPLY not a fan of Poindexter as our DC this cannot be a hope and wish while being loyal as a hire. This has to be a proven track record hire. This team still has national championship aspirations, and the coordinators have to be a strength not a question mark.
 
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Golden would be a good hire under "ANY" circumstances. Fans shouldn't be worried about feelings or politics or some day down the road. It's about about getting the best D coordinator Penn State can get and nothing else.
Completely disagree
He's not the best option
 
I am SIMPLY not a fan of Poindexter as our DC this cannot be a hope and wish while being loyal as a hire. This has to be a proven track record hire. This team still has national championship aspirations, and the coordinators have to be a strength not a question mark.
I hear you and can't disagree with your premise. I think he is a solid coach and wonder what he does if he is passed by. I know you don't hire him for that reason.

The "get a guy who has been a former HC" is a formula that has worked for the most part. How many years has Golden coached defense and been a DC? Diaz and Allen were defensive guys born and bred. Golden played TE for us then not sure what positions he coached. I know he was the HC at Miami. I assume he had a lot of defensive experience for ND to hire him.

What we don't know here is the "personality fit" question regarding Golden.

Has the Browns guy (Bonda?) ever coached in college?
 
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Wouldn't Lynn be the same circumstances as Golden? Both played for Paterno. And we know that Franklin was willing to entertain bringing Lynn on board (and he's brought on other PSU alumni before with ties to Paterno - like Terry Smith and Ty Howle).

Now whether or not Golden is the best option is a different question, but I don't think Franklin would be reluctant to hire him if he thought he was the best choice.
 
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I hear you and can't disagree with your premise. I think he is a solid coach and wonder what he does if he is passed by. I know you don't hire him for that reason.

The "get a guy who has been a former HC" is a formula that has worked for the most part. How many years has Golden coached defense and been a DC? Diaz and Allen were defensive guys born and bred. Golden played TE for us then not sure what positions he coached. I know he was the HC at Miami. I assume he had a lot of defensive experience for ND to hire him.

What we don't know here is the "personality fit" question regarding Golden.

Has the Browns guy (Bonda?) ever coached in college?
Just looked it up....Banda (finally got his name right) has a good amount of college experience. Was DC at Miami I think under Diaz. Colts just interviewed him on 1/10, maybe he didn't get the job?? He may want to stay in the NFL. He could be a really good candidate. If Diaz likes him and he is a Diaz protege then I like that a lot. Again he could be really good for us. I like the NFL experience.
 
Wouldn't Lynn be the same circumstances as Golden? Both played for Paterno. And we know that Franklin was willing to entertain bringing Lynn on board (and he's brought on other PSU alumni before with ties to Paterno - like Terry Smith and Ty Howle).

Now whether or not Golden is the best option is a different question, but I don't think Franklin would be reluctant to hire him if he thought he was the best choice.
To me it is about fit. If for whatever reason Golden gives off this weird Paterno vibe like "we have drifted away from Joe's culture of discipline or toughness" or some offputting vibe then of course that is a red flag. Us internet yahoos can complain about that or kinda think that but obviously you can't have your DC thinking like that and undermining Franklin as we are trying to make a natty run.
 
To me it is about fit. If for whatever reason Golden gives off this weird Paterno vibe like "we have drifted away from Joe's culture of discipline or toughness" or some offputting vibe then of course that is a red flag. Us internet yahoos can complain about that or kinda think that but obviously you can't have your DC thinking like that and undermining Franklin as we are trying to make a natty run.

Do Smith or Howle "undermine" the program? Dan Connor? Serious question, because I have no idea. Just like I have no idea if Golden would be a disruption in any way - my point would only be that if Franklin feels he is a good fit and hires him, I'd be cool with it. I think people are projecting a bit (both positive and negative) with regards to Golden just because he wore a tie and has some good things to say about Joe but there's a lot more behind the scenes that would go into it that we don't know about.

My only point here is that I would neither consider Golden a great option nor dismiss him out of hand just because he is an alumni. He certainly has a pedigree as a DC to be considered for the position.
 
Do Smith or Howle "undermine" the program? Dan Connor? Serious question, because I have no idea. Just like I have no idea if Golden would be a disruption in any way - my point would only be that if Franklin feels he is a good fit and hires him, I'd be cool with it. I think people are projecting a bit (both positive and negative) with regards to Golden just because he wore a tie and has some good things to say about Joe but there's a lot more behind the scenes that would go into it that we don't know about.

My only point here is that I would neither consider Golden a great option nor dismiss him out of hand just because he is an alumni. He certainly has a pedigree as a DC to be considered for the position.
Previous poster said Rhule and Golden is about Paterno, Lynn would not have been about Paterno.
 
Just looked it up....Banda (finally got his name right) has a good amount of college experience. Was DC at Miami I think under Diaz. Colts just interviewed him on 1/10, maybe he didn't get the job?? He may want to stay in the NFL. He could be a really good candidate. If Diaz likes him and he is a Diaz protege then I like that a lot. Again he could be really good for us. I like the NFL experience.
Maybe Diaz should have taken the chance to bring him to Duke as his DC. I think this choice would be risky.
 
I hear you and can't disagree with your premise. I think he is a solid coach and wonder what he does if he is passed by. I know you don't hire him for that reason.

The "get a guy who has been a former HC" is a formula that has worked for the most part. How many years has Golden coached defense and been a DC? Diaz and Allen were defensive guys born and bred. Golden played TE for us then not sure what positions he coached. I know he was the HC at Miami. I assume he had a lot of defensive experience for ND to hire him.

What we don't know here is the "personality fit" question regarding Golden.

Has the Browns guy (Bonda?) ever coached in college?
I don't know anything about Bonda.

Golden has had excellent defenses as a DC. He was an immediate improvemnet at ND. He's been a HC and has been the DC at ND the last three years. I personally think potential cultural relationship stuff aside he would be a slam dunk for a team on the verg of making another run.

The guy at Ind (Haines) did a heck of a job too though only one season at this level. He implemented a stellar in Bloomington, as the DC His defense finished 2nd nationally in yards-per-play (4.28) allowed and was 5th in stop rate (75.2%). He did just sign a new contact that starts him off at $1.8 million in 2025. Admittedly I had overlooked this guy due to only being at this level one season. Would we pay to get him?

Tim Banks isn't coming I think he just signed a new contract at TN.

IMO after Banks the list goes into the basement.
 
Wouldn't Lynn be the same circumstances as Golden? Both played for Paterno. And we know that Franklin was willing to entertain bringing Lynn on board (and he's brought on other PSU alumni before with ties to Paterno - like Terry Smith and Ty Howle).

Now whether or not Golden is the best option is a different question, but I don't think Franklin would be reluctant to hire him if he thought he was the best choice.
No--Golden isn't comparable to Lynn. Golden also coached under Joe and was widely expected by many to replace him. He's in his mid-50s and has an established career as opposed to Lynn who's 35 and seen as an up & comer. Lynn is also seen as a better recruiter and a more relatable recruit. Lynn wasn't on the radar because of ties to Penn State. He's on the radar because Penn State, in theory, is an upgrade over USC and young coordinators are looking to advance.

I don't think Franklin would ever think Golden is the best choice because of the baggage...and there's baggage.
 
Previous poster said Rhule and Golden is about Paterno, Lynn would not have been about Paterno.

Yes, I get that. I'm just saying I don't agree. Lynn played for Paterno as well so it seems like an arbitrary rationale. Smith and Howle (and Connor) did as well among current coaches so that doesn't seem to be a "problem" that Franklin cannot accept.

Okay, Golden coached with Paterno as well... for all of 1 season, before leaving under circumstances that if anything seemed to upset a lot of the Paterno loyalists (I remember all the talk about how his abrupt leaving messed up the recruiting classes and contributed to the early 2000s dark years). If that's the thing that makes him "different", it strikes me as pretty specious but whatever.

Again, from the outside looking in as a fan, I don't see any reason that Golden would be off the table any more than any other option who went to PSU would be. That doesn't mean he'd be hired (or even if he would be interested) but dismissing it out of hand seems odd.
 
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No--Golden isn't comparable to Lynn. Golden also coached under Joe and was widely expected by many to replace him. He's in his mid-50s and has an established career as opposed to Lynn who's 35 and seen as an up & comer. Lynn is also seen as a better recruiter and a more relatable recruit. Lynn wasn't on the radar because of ties to Penn State. He's on the radar because Penn State, in theory, is an upgrade over USC and young coordinators are looking to advance.

I don't think Franklin would ever think Golden is the best choice because of the baggage...and there's baggage.
Can you elaborate on the baggage?
 
Yes, I get that. I'm just saying I don't agree. Lynn played for Paterno as well so it seems like an arbitrary rationale. Smith and Howle (and Connor) did as well among current coaches so that doesn't seem to be a "problem" that Franklin cannot accept.

Okay, Golden coached with Paterno as well... for all of 1 season, before leaving under circumstances that if anything seemed to upset a lot of the Paterno loyalists (I remember all the talk about how his abrupt leaving messed up the recruiting classes and contributed to the early 2000s dark years). If that's the thing that makes him "different", it strikes me as pretty specious but whatever.

Again, from the outside looking in as a fan, I don't see any reason that Golden would be off the table any more than any other option who went to PSU would be. That doesn't mean he'd be hired (or even if he would be interested) but dismissing it out of hand seems odd.
I agree Golden is a good choice.

I think some people may think a guy who played for Joe back when it was young or younger Joe (1990) brings a different dynamic and perspective than the younger guys who played for him in the last 7-8 years of his career. And for whatever reason they (ie a guy like Golden) would bring more baggage. Not sure, just guessing to answer your question of why Lynn or Howle or Connor but not Golden.
 
Yes, I get that. I'm just saying I don't agree. Lynn played for Paterno as well so it seems like an arbitrary rationale. Smith and Howle (and Connor) did as well among current coaches so that doesn't seem to be a "problem" that Franklin cannot accept.

Okay, Golden coached with Paterno as well... for all of 1 season, before leaving under circumstances that if anything seemed to upset a lot of the Paterno loyalists (I remember all the talk about how his abrupt leaving messed up the recruiting classes and contributed to the early 2000s dark years). If that's the thing that makes him "different", it strikes me as pretty specious but whatever.

Again, from the outside looking in as a fan, I don't see any reason that Golden would be off the table any more than any other option who went to PSU would be. That doesn't mean he'd be hired (or even if he would be interested) but dismissing it out of hand seems odd.
I agree, I just pointed out that a previous poster differentiates between PSU alums. Some being bad and some being good. Not sure what the metrics are.
 
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