Can an elite program be built at Penn State?

[Obliviax]

They didn't have Burrow on the roster when Fields transferred in... you're either trolling me or you're really dumb.

Burrow left OSU in spring 2018. Fields didn't arrive until January 2019. If Fields doesn't come they do not have Joe Burrow, they have Tate Martell.

OK...whatever....jeesh.

Both Burrow and Fields would have started for tOSU last year. Both were on their roster, at one point, and eligible. That is a Heisman winner and a guy who is one of the top three to win this year. Both of them run rings around any QB we've had on our roster since Kerry Collins (and probably better than him, too).

 

[fastlax16]

OK...whatever....jeesh.

Both Burrow and Fields would have started for tOSU last year. Both were on their roster, at one point, and eligible. That is a Heisman winner and a guy who is one of the top three to win this year. Both of them run rings around any QB we've had on our roster since Kerry Collins (and probably better than him, too).

Please just answer me this question- Justin Fields decides on January 1 2019 not to go to OSU. Who is OSU's starting QB last season?

 

[Obliviax]

Please just answer me this question- Justin Fields decides on January 1 2019 not to go to OSU. Who is OSU's starting QB last season?

I don't know and I don't care.

tOSU is recruiting a level much, much higher than PSU and has been for quite some time.

 

[fastlax16]

I don't know and I don't care.

tOSU is recruiting a level much, much higher than PSU and has been for quite some time.

Cya

 

[Obliviax]

Cya

Dude, I told you that you were correct five posts ago but that wasn't my point. My point was that we are underperforming with QB recruits versus the elites. I am not sure why you continue to persist and push the point. Other than the original post, I told you that you were correct. WTF is your problem?

 

[MacNit07]

The answer is YES. See Cael Sanderson.

Cael arrived on campus about a decade ago. Penn State had not won a national title in wrestling since the 1950s. They have now won 8 of the last 9 national titles, with a program built on elite recruiting, world-class coaching, and a relentless focus on excellence. His teams win matches late, come from behind, or just plain beat down opponents. And he only has 9.9 scholarships to work with, spread among about three dozen wrestlers.

Yes, there are a lot of differences between football and wrestling. But attracting top talent, coaching them to be champions, developing championship mindset, and cultivating hearts and backbones of steel are common characteristics. I wouldn't mind seeing Cael on the sideline to instill some motivation.

The answer is YES. See Cael Sanderson.

Cael arrived on campus about a decade ago. Penn State had not won a national title in wrestling since the 1950s. They have now won 8 of the last 9 national titles, with a program built on elite recruiting, world-class coaching, and a relentless focus on excellence. His teams win matches late, come from behind, or just plain beat down opponents. And he only has 9.9 scholarships to work with, spread among about three dozen wrestlers.

Yes, there are a lot of differences between football and wrestling. But attracting top talent, coaching them to be champions, developing championship mindset, and cultivating hearts and backbones of steel are common characteristics. I wouldn't mind seeing Cael on the sideline to instill some motivation.

Re-built. JoePa was elite.

 

[northernbuck]

Yes, but it would take several things happening that are out of Franklin's control

Just a few thoughts:
1. Demographics would have to change in the region. Pennsylvania is in the bottom 10 as far as growth over the last decade and surrounding states like NJ, NY, Maryland are in the same boat. Smaller pond to fish from means you can't miss on the few big fish - and we haven't been that good at reeling in the big ones lately.

2. The college has to commit the money and resources to compete with other football factories. I know we're not getting a lazy river anytime soon but facilities matter and if the school isn't willing to put up the $$$ to attract the best 'croots then there's not much Franklin can do about that.

3. The media in the state has to start supporting and championing the team instead of trying to get clicks and make names for themselves through negative articles. Look at Ohio - even kids who don't get into OSU support the program and the cult is strong. In Pennsylvania there are many PSU alums and fans, but the culture just isn't there where kids know that if they're good at football they're going to Penn State. I can understand the Pitt media not being on our side, but it'd be nice for the rest of the state to get on board.

Good post. The key to an elite program is the ability to recruit nationally. This is especially true for a school that is not in the south. OSU now gets the bulk of its talent from outside of Ohio. Ohio high school football is not what it once was.

 

[MacNit07]

Starts and ends with the guy at the top. He's the guy who identifies the staff and recruits needed. Of course the money has to be there to pay the staff, but PSU is either there or close.

Agree...it’s time for the hot breath of accountability...

 

[Art]

Agree...it’s time for the hot breath of accountability...

That ain't happenin' unless the program completely collapses and that's unlikely.

 

[PSUoh90]

I don't know and I don't care.

tOSU is recruiting a level much, much higher than PSU and has been for quite some time.

I grew up in the state of Ohio as a PSU fan. I hate them above all and love to make fun of them for only have 2 national championships in the last 50 years, but I can't for the life of me figure out if PSU fans who act like we're on a similar level are serious or not.

 

[Raffycorn]

I'm not suggesting we should move on from Franklin because I don't think we should and it isn't happening anyway. I'm saying it would take major assistant/facility upgrades to consistently compete with Ohio State.

The only D1 coach who I'd without a doubt rather have than JF who I think would have been realistically obtainable is Dan Mullen, but the timing was bad.

I'm not sure what one would see in Dan Mullen that you don't see in James Franklin, to be honest. At best, they're a wash.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I'm not sure what one would see in Dan Mullen that you don't see in James Franklin, to be honest. At best, they're a wash.

I would put David Shaw on my shortlist, along with Chris Petersen. I love the way Stanford plays football. Matt Rhule would be a logical fit but he's probably not going backwards. Greg Roman was my favorite candidate when O'Brien was hired and he seemed really interested but he's probably looking for a HC gig soon. Eric Bieniemy is on the rise too, but maybe too ambitious for his first HC gig. Franklin does a lot right - just not always when it comes to X's and O's.

 

[Keyser Soze 16801]

Why would an elite QB prospect choose Penn State over Clemson, Bama, Ohio State or Oklahoma?

Our best chance of getting one is a grad transfer but CJF does not seem very interested in that market

 

[Wallace Breen]

If we are defining elite as playoff appearances then yes. A few unlucky results over the past few years from potentially already being there more than once. Franklin needs to come to terms with some of his shortcomings and correct them though.

The opposite is also true. You can make the argument that Franklin lucked into being in contention just as easy as a few "unlucky" results, especially considering that the 'unlucky' results were entirely predictable.

 

[PSUinMICH]

Can an elite program be built at Penn State?


Joe did it!

 

[ApexLion]

The answer is YES. See Cael Sanderson.

Cael arrived on campus about a decade ago. Penn State had not won a national title in wrestling since the 1950s. They have now won 8 of the last 9 national titles, with a program built on elite recruiting, world-class coaching, and a relentless focus on excellence. His teams win matches late, come from behind, or just plain beat down opponents. And he only has 9.9 scholarships to work with, spread among about three dozen wrestlers.

Yes, there are a lot of differences between football and wrestling. But attracting top talent, coaching them to be champions, developing championship mindset, and cultivating hearts and backbones of steel are common characteristics. I wouldn't mind seeing Cael on the sideline to instill some motivation.

If by elite you mean every year or every other year competing in the playoffs, no. The place isn’t set up for that. Some guy with a squeaky voice figured that out many years ago. Can we make a run at things every so often? You bet.

 

[ButlerEagle]

Cael does things Franklin can't do. He doesn't ignore the transfer portal, he addresses needs, he makes good decisions, he owns his own state with 1 exception in ten years (spencer lee).

Franklin is not an elite or even great coach. He's an above average recruiter and that's it

 

[ButlerEagle]

Agree. QB play is the single biggest improvement between 9-10 wins a year and the CFP level. But it’s never that simple. Those pointing to top coordinators and better schemes also call out part of the problem. For whatever reason, James is loyal to the guys who got him from Vandy to PSU. That won’t often be the same ability needed to take the jump at PSU.

We’ll see about KC. I think that move was made with this in mind.

Bad start then lol. Clifford has horrible mechanical problems and zero accuracy

 

[bvillebaron]

Hell yes. If, they get rid of Franklin.

You win the prize. Thought I would have seen this clownish post posted much sooner. Send in your resume or at least make a suggestion as to who they should replace him with instead of just bitching all the time.

 

[fastlax16]

The opposite is also true. You can make the argument that Franklin lucked into being in contention just as easy as a few "unlucky" results, especially considering that the 'unlucky' results were entirely predictable.

It is and luck happens. I choose not to with it being several years in a row.

OSU doesn't win a national title without a whole lot of luck in a certain game in 2014 but no one docks Urban for it.

 

[WestSideLion]

Bad start then lol. Clifford has horrible mechanical problems and zero accuracy

I’m not saying Clifford is an elite QB. While not his fault - he wasn’t recruited with great expectations on ability - he is not close to elite level play, nor is he likely to be based on a year plus of play as starter.