Paraphrased responses to questions on the Big Ten teleconference this afternoon, in which both James Franklin and Angelo Mangiro took a handful of questions each:
James Franklin opening statement:
We've had a great spring. The fact that we returned our entire staff I think was really valuable. I think we're the only staff that did that. I think that's really helpful in terms of building on the foundation we set last year.
We still have a lot of progress we're going to need to make between the start of the season against Temple. But we're excited. We're excited for the spring game, go out and have a good time, and then switching our mindset to camp and what we're going to need to do for that.
Last spring/This spring:
Doesn't know if he can even compare them. When you're comparing, it's things that are similar. This is night and day. This staff all working together, knowing Penn State, knowing the players, players knowing them, having more depth and bodies across the board. They understand the expectation. Now that everyone is on the same page and on board, it's not even close. Practices able to be more aggressive and physical because of depth they have. So much more competitive. From top to bottom, it's like watching a different team. Still have a long way to go, but have made tremendous strides in 16 months they've been here.
Hackenberg and leadership:
What's different is, Christian as well as the other guys like Mangiro that have played a lot of football, they're comfortable with their own situation, place on this team, complementing the things they're talking about and reinforcing them and what he's saying. The fact everyone is on the same page allows Christian to be the leader he wants to be and can be. Leadership is so important at QB, but what else is important is that leaders reinforce overall message, philosophy and values of the staff. Now that they're all aligned, that's helpful and year two has allowed that to happen.
Big Ten/SEC:
Staying out of comparison business between two conference. Hasn't been in B1G enough to know. Has a much better feel now. There's a lot of interest, and if you look at the conversations about conference a year ago compared to now, it's very different. Especially PSU side of the conference. If you look at national conversation, excitement is 180 degree turn from what it was a year ago. That's exciting when nationally the perception has really changed.
Combination of a lot of factors. Success that B1G teams had in bowl games. Personalities in coaching in the conference. Success individual schools have had on national level. It's not just one thing. If it was, it would be about specific school, but it's about conference as a whole.
Secondary as a strength/turnovers:
I don't think there's any doubt that secondary can be a strength. Can actually be better than last year. Not just the four or five starters, but the depth behind it. Did a great job developing them and recruiting. They're bigger, stronger, faster. They know system inside and out. You're going to see an improvement there. Turnovers have been emphasized. As good as D was last year, still thinks there's areas for improvement, and turnovers would be a big area for that.
McSorley:
They've been very pleased with him. All of the same reasons they've recruited him, they've shown up everywhere on field and off. Sometimes that's not the case. You don't always get that. He's competitive, athletic, smart, a winner, able to beat you with his mind and arm and feet. Has been very pleased. His maturity, him and Christian have a good relationship. He looks up to Christian a lot. Both of them have taken Tommy Stevens under their wing as well. It's a really good room. Sits in those meetings every day. Ricky Rahne does a great job with them. A ton of respect there. If you talk to the team, a lot of people have been really excited about McSorley's future. There's a buzz in the program about him, how hard he's working, and the type of teammate he is.
Angelo Mangiro notes:
Just finished practice 13. They've had a really good spring practice so far as an offense and a team collectively. Things have improved drastically since last spring and last season. Everyone in year two of the offense has helped everyone have an understanding, play fast, and not have to think as much.
OL improvements:
I think having an understanding of the offense, guys now being in year two and guys like Mahon, Nelson, Dowrey, Gaia, being second year offensive players who have seen a lot of things have helped them a lot. Newcomers in the second year of this offense has helped them know techniques and schemes. They pick things up on the fly at practice. D gives them certain look, they execute, and then come off the field and deal with it.
Mahon:
That's my guy. He's made huge strides not just as a player but as a friend. They've done a really good job with him. His hand placement, moving his feet, and displacing guys. Very excited for him and for the unit.
Wideouts:
The guys are working really hard. Coach Gattis and that whole group come out and work every day. He leads the way with that. They're fun to be around, and they have a personality everyone is drawn to. For the most part, he's interior line, but those guys go out and make plays for them. As an offense, they all hold each other accountable to make plays, and they've lived up to it.
Hackenberg:
Leadership wise, he's being modest. He's stepped up even more this year from last. When he gets off the field, going up to more younger guys, some of young RBs, young WRs, explaining things to them, talking through the little details of the play and what he expects. He did that last year, but it's even more so now in the spring and this practice. They have more time in the spring so it's not as hectic as during the season, but the way he's gone about it talking to guys, he's stepped up even more from what he did last year. Even with the offensive line, just working with them and talking things out, he's done a great job.
James Franklin opening statement:
We've had a great spring. The fact that we returned our entire staff I think was really valuable. I think we're the only staff that did that. I think that's really helpful in terms of building on the foundation we set last year.
We still have a lot of progress we're going to need to make between the start of the season against Temple. But we're excited. We're excited for the spring game, go out and have a good time, and then switching our mindset to camp and what we're going to need to do for that.
Last spring/This spring:
Doesn't know if he can even compare them. When you're comparing, it's things that are similar. This is night and day. This staff all working together, knowing Penn State, knowing the players, players knowing them, having more depth and bodies across the board. They understand the expectation. Now that everyone is on the same page and on board, it's not even close. Practices able to be more aggressive and physical because of depth they have. So much more competitive. From top to bottom, it's like watching a different team. Still have a long way to go, but have made tremendous strides in 16 months they've been here.
Hackenberg and leadership:
What's different is, Christian as well as the other guys like Mangiro that have played a lot of football, they're comfortable with their own situation, place on this team, complementing the things they're talking about and reinforcing them and what he's saying. The fact everyone is on the same page allows Christian to be the leader he wants to be and can be. Leadership is so important at QB, but what else is important is that leaders reinforce overall message, philosophy and values of the staff. Now that they're all aligned, that's helpful and year two has allowed that to happen.
Big Ten/SEC:
Staying out of comparison business between two conference. Hasn't been in B1G enough to know. Has a much better feel now. There's a lot of interest, and if you look at the conversations about conference a year ago compared to now, it's very different. Especially PSU side of the conference. If you look at national conversation, excitement is 180 degree turn from what it was a year ago. That's exciting when nationally the perception has really changed.
Combination of a lot of factors. Success that B1G teams had in bowl games. Personalities in coaching in the conference. Success individual schools have had on national level. It's not just one thing. If it was, it would be about specific school, but it's about conference as a whole.
Secondary as a strength/turnovers:
I don't think there's any doubt that secondary can be a strength. Can actually be better than last year. Not just the four or five starters, but the depth behind it. Did a great job developing them and recruiting. They're bigger, stronger, faster. They know system inside and out. You're going to see an improvement there. Turnovers have been emphasized. As good as D was last year, still thinks there's areas for improvement, and turnovers would be a big area for that.
McSorley:
They've been very pleased with him. All of the same reasons they've recruited him, they've shown up everywhere on field and off. Sometimes that's not the case. You don't always get that. He's competitive, athletic, smart, a winner, able to beat you with his mind and arm and feet. Has been very pleased. His maturity, him and Christian have a good relationship. He looks up to Christian a lot. Both of them have taken Tommy Stevens under their wing as well. It's a really good room. Sits in those meetings every day. Ricky Rahne does a great job with them. A ton of respect there. If you talk to the team, a lot of people have been really excited about McSorley's future. There's a buzz in the program about him, how hard he's working, and the type of teammate he is.
Angelo Mangiro notes:
Just finished practice 13. They've had a really good spring practice so far as an offense and a team collectively. Things have improved drastically since last spring and last season. Everyone in year two of the offense has helped everyone have an understanding, play fast, and not have to think as much.
OL improvements:
I think having an understanding of the offense, guys now being in year two and guys like Mahon, Nelson, Dowrey, Gaia, being second year offensive players who have seen a lot of things have helped them a lot. Newcomers in the second year of this offense has helped them know techniques and schemes. They pick things up on the fly at practice. D gives them certain look, they execute, and then come off the field and deal with it.
Mahon:
That's my guy. He's made huge strides not just as a player but as a friend. They've done a really good job with him. His hand placement, moving his feet, and displacing guys. Very excited for him and for the unit.
Wideouts:
The guys are working really hard. Coach Gattis and that whole group come out and work every day. He leads the way with that. They're fun to be around, and they have a personality everyone is drawn to. For the most part, he's interior line, but those guys go out and make plays for them. As an offense, they all hold each other accountable to make plays, and they've lived up to it.
Hackenberg:
Leadership wise, he's being modest. He's stepped up even more this year from last. When he gets off the field, going up to more younger guys, some of young RBs, young WRs, explaining things to them, talking through the little details of the play and what he expects. He did that last year, but it's even more so now in the spring and this practice. They have more time in the spring so it's not as hectic as during the season, but the way he's gone about it talking to guys, he's stepped up even more from what he did last year. Even with the offensive line, just working with them and talking things out, he's done a great job.
