Those years were excruciating, but things were improving. He had a badass defense, great incoming recruiting class, and even had the 2003 season sprinkled in there. It wasn't hard to see things were improving and a lot of pieces were in place.
As I was leaving the stadium yesterday.........
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Those years were excruciating, but things were improving. He had a badass defense, great incoming recruiting class, and even had the 2003 season sprinkled in there. It wasn't hard to see things were improving and a lot of pieces were in place.
You are 100% correct. Personally speaking, I did not know donors had that much influence until I saw a documentary on the Miami hurricanes and Oregon ducks.
I'm not saying I saw a top 3 team coming (I did not see that), but I expected 10 wins. Mills shoulder was shot, and had been for a few years. I thought Robinson should have replaced him much earlier and still remembered his 300 yard game. The tools were there, he just never had a chance to establish any kind of rhythm.
I am simply responding to a question regarding the monetary cost. I doubt those 4 experienced coaches would not demand more than Franklin's current salary/extra perks.
If Franklin's buyout is really 28 million then somebody really dropped the ball. No coach of any kind, much less one with Franklin's record, should have that kind of security and leverage. When you provide over-the-top rewards for mediocrity it breeds more mediocrity.
All common sense is out the window here. It's waste consistent with Barbour's history.
All common sense is out the window here. It's waste consistent with Barbour's history.
Sorry, my friend. You cannot compare Joe's down years to Franklin's situation.
Maybe, but he had leverage, and he had it because of how much damage the bot and administration had done to the program. They were desperate, desperate.
Seriously what a bunch of morons you all are calling for Franklin to get fired after a loss and in the middle of the season. How has USC done since they fired Helton? Yeah I know USC would be undefeated in its games since the firing if they only hired all of you.
Ah...how could I forget. We should never honor past individual accomplishments. Wait....maybe in 2004 we were still doing that? I don't know...it's so confusing.
Franklin calls the shots in this situation. Hot seat discussions are for fans only. What happened to the burning Narduzzi hot seat of just a few weeks ago? Franklin will be here as long as he wants and, contrary to rumor, that will be a very long time.
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Joe had the ability to raise 10’s of millions for PSU academic facilities. That’s a big plus for all involved with PSU.
BINGO.
Yeah of course Franklin is gone because you and the other bloviating fools say so. Whatever.
Well I can see you have NO clue to the kind of money that the boosters have that support Penn State just to get an idea when you’re standing at Beaver Stadium look across the street. And that’s just one of the booster opening up their checkbook
You've touched on Part Deux of Spanier's tactical mistake, that he didn't enlist support from the eminence(s) grise(s) before approaching Joe. He should have summoned Joe to his office and had someone like Bill Schreyer sitting there. When Joe resisted, Schreyer could have indicated that the powers that be supported Spanier.
But could Spankie be bothered. Nah, the man was too arrogant and convinced of his own infallibility.
If you're referring to Pegula, there is no evidence that he has much interest in the football program. So why don't you give us the names of other boosters that do?
PSU does have large donors, but most contribute for academic endeavors. With regard to the football program, I recall two $5mm contributions: the Malloys to endow the head coaching position and Ira Lubert for the first phase of the Lasch renovation.
Do not underplay the injuries to thin positions. It’s not like this was an unknown coming into the season. Our schedule has also been difficult this year with some tough away games and the gauntlet we now face to end the season. Journey Brown having to hang it up was also a gigantic loss. We didn’t make the plays we needed to for a win. Even if we won it would have felt like a loss.
The problem is the coach on the field and he has had plenty of other top 15 recruiting classes. Another crop of freak athletes will come in, and once again they will be just that, athletes, not football players.
Fire Franklin now.
Get off his nuts. The guy just lost at home to a 24 point underdog and the worst team in the league and is 9-7 since 2020.
Don't freaking compare James Franklin to 1 of the top 5 coaches in the history of the game. Just doing that in and of itself exposed you
True, Joe had those three awful teams in the early 2000s, but in his last seven years-
2 B1G championships (better than CJF)
4-2 bowl record (better than CJF)
3 11 win seasons
2 9 win seasons
An 8-1 team when he was fired
65-20 record in his last 7 years. Not to shabby. CJF is 58-24 so far in his last seven years.
In short, Franklins record is not as good as Joes after Joe turned 78. I was kind to Franklin leaving out his first mediocre year, since the sanction excuse would have come up.
The more Franklin proves himself to be sub standard the more his jock riders will be exposed. Frankly it's getting kinda fun exposing them, although I wish it wasn't necessary
Not disagreeing on the offense being set back. Question - how far does it set back the program if Franklin is fired? New coach, OC, DC, S&C, and position coaches. Four straight years of a new OC?!
OL
Illinois may run the table. Then what say you. Beliema in his 7th game as new coach and now makes Illinois basically Wisconsin.
I'm not advocating firing him, that would set the program back quite a bit unless someone like Meyer was brought in. I really don't think the program is very far off from taking that next step, but I remain perplexed at his offensive choices.
But, yet, everything Bill O’Brien did and James Franklin has done is compared to Joe Paterno. I’m in agreement with @fairfaxlion2. Only a few days left of this board and not sure I’ll move over to the new one. So here goes my death post.
You people need to let go of Joe Paterno and stop using him as the benchmark of current coaches. He is gone. Totally different era and style of the game. Joe was an icon. Winningest coach. Did a ton of good for the university.
But, many of you will never accept the coaches at PSU because you can’t let go of JoePa.
Keep his memory and his accomplishments alive and well. But, don’t compare every move (O’Brien made) Franklin makes to Joe. It’s not fair to the coach. Recall a Joe coached team lost 6-4 (and it wasn’t due to relief pitching). Yes, it is a struggle to watch this team at times, but it was tough to watch 4/5 losing seasons also.
Many have said they’ll never spend another $1 on Penn State until Franklin is fired. Will never attend another game. You’ll do yard work instead of watching on TV. I say, enjoy your new interests. If you are leaving “your team” now, I question if it was ever “your team”.
So, long and God Bless.
OL
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