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I wouldnt be surprised if there is not an announcement tomorrow!So USC fired their coach and is looking for a new one. This is headline news on the ESPN web page. Guess who ESPN thinks is the leading candidate to be the next USC coach!?
It never stops, it doesn't even make sense for them to be lighting the hot stove on potential coaches. Franklin is leading a top 10 team onto the field on Saturday for Christ's sake.
ESPN personalizes a lot of its homepage content. Do you have Penn State selected as a favorite?So USC fired their coach and is looking for a new one. This is headline news on the ESPN web page. Guess who ESPN thinks is the leading candidate to be the next USC coach!?
USC, LA, is one of those places where it has great potential but great distractions. A HC can get all kinds of stars to help them recruit. NIL opportunities are off the charts. The problem is that if you use these people, the rest come after you in a "why not me?" attitude. They are PR hounds and using one means you upset those not used. It is like the first person NOT invited to the wedding. Then they turn on you. It is a huge distraction. They're advantage also turns out to be their biggest problem. It will take a very confident and talented coach to navigate.
Breaking: one of the best coaches in the game is a good fit for one of the highest-profile jobs in the game.
I'm just reporting what ESPN has posted on their home page. I don't know anything about USC's selection process.
I can't read the article but it seems ESPN wants Franklin to leave Penn State since they have him as the #1 candidate for every top job opening. I don't see the USC job as being better than PSU unless someone is really jonesing for the stereotypical SoCal lifestyle of sun, surf, smog, high taxes, etc. There's a reason why so many people are moving out of California.
But I can pull candidates out of my rear end too. I say the favorites for the USC job are Campbell and Fickell. That's as legitimate as anything ESPN says.
But I can pull candidates out of my rear end too. I say the favorites for the USC job are Campbell and Fickell. That's as legitimate as anything ESPN says.
wasn't he just on the "hot seat" for coaches to be fired after a losing record last season?
Ryan Day on hot seat at OSU after losing a regular season game. Day to USC. 😉🤣
This ain't no party, this ain't no disco,
This ain't no fooling around
No time for dancing, or lovey dovey,
I ain't got time for that now
This ain't no disco
It ain't no country club either
This is L.A.
It ain't no country club either
This is L.A.
Love me some sweatersUSC, LA, is one of those places where it has great potential but great distractions. A HC can get all kinds of stars to help them recruit. NIL opportunities are off the charts. The problem is that if you use these people, the rest come after you in a "why not me?" attitude. They are PR hounds and using one means you upset those not used. It is like the first person NOT invited to the wedding. Then they turn on you. It is a huge distraction. They're advantage also turns out to be their biggest problem. It will take a very confident and talented coach to navigate.
Anything that is usual coming out of anybody's rear end is better than anything espn says.
How much money does the PAC 10 Network pay their teams? How much money does the Big 10 Network pay their teams? No way is Franklin going to a place where he has so much less to work with.So USC fired their coach and is looking for a new one. This is headline news on the ESPN web page. Guess who ESPN thinks is the leading candidate to be the next USC coach!?
This was true for Meyer too but winning repels the jackals. The best thing that can happen for Franklin and PSU is for him to get to the CFP; sooner the better. Longer he goes without getting there, more likely IMO he considers a jump. I think he’s solid to PSU for the foreseeable future though - recruiting is too good right now and cupboard is fairly stocked.
This is irresponsible journalism by ESPN. The USC coach is axed and James Franklin is immediately annointed as the most likely candidate...why. Franklin has spent eight years at his "dream job" in his home state, has a top ten ranking and a top ten recruiting class. After years of hard work, he has the program in a great shape and is supported by most rational fans and the administration.
You would have to be imaginative to convince me that USC is a better coaching job than Penn State and that the Cali lifestyle would appeal to the Franklins.
You would have to be imaginative to convince me that USC is a better coaching job than Penn State and that the Cali lifestyle would appeal to the Franklins.
While this is true, there were pretty good opportunities in '17 and '19 even with a loss to tOSU. Those other losses had more than just the players as a reason. Not looking to rehash that at this point with only positive results so far this season.
I changed my hairstyle so many times now, I don't know what I look like. Um, Coach Franklin, you're bald. Oh yeah, never mind.
If ESPN the article most likely written or If TV segment produced by a UCONN Grad (no PSU animosity), a SYR Grad (Mucho PSU animosity), Michigan Alum (Mucho animosity) or Northwestern Grad ( some animosity).
Portion of the article, moderator, you can delete if this is inappropriate:
Mario Cristobal has restored Oregon as the Pac-12's premier program. Troy Wayrynen/USA TODAY Sports
Tier 1
James Franklin could be a good fit at USC, but would he leave Penn State? Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via APPenn State coach James Franklin
Franklin's name has been linked to USC almost as long as Helton has been on the hot seat. Although Franklin has a great job in his home state, he has been looking up at Ohio State for most of his tenure and could be ready for a fresh start in a slightly better position. Franklin did incredible work at Vanderbilt (24-15) and led Penn State to a Big Ten title in 2016, just four years after the NCAA imposed major sanctions on the program. The 49-year-old is 62-28 with three top-10 finishes. He needs to rebound from a 4-5 season in 2020 but has a team primed to contend for a Big Ten title. Franklin's spirited and energetic personality would be a hit on the West Coast, and industry sources think he and Bohn would connect really well. USC also never has hired a Black football coach, and Franklin has a really strong profile.Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell
Bohn hired Fickell at Cincinnati and the move has worked out wonderfully. The longtime Ohio State assistant, who had a rough year as Buckeyes coach in 2011, has blossomed with the Bearcats. Fickell is 33-6 since the start of the 2018 season, recording three straight Top 25 finishes. Cincinnati finished No. 8 in 2020 and currently occupies the same spot in the AP poll as it seeks to become the first Group of 5 program to reach the CFP. Fickell, 48, is an exceptional recruiter and strong defensive mind who would bring the toughness and discipline USC has lacked at times under Helton. The only potential drawback is USC's location. Fickell has spent practically his entire life and career in Ohio, and might be hesitant about working in Los Angeles. The Cincinnati job also is becoming more appealing with the school headed to the Big 12.Mario Cristobal has restored Oregon as the Pac-12's premier program. Troy Wayrynen/USA TODAY Sports
Oregon coach Mario Cristobal
There aren't many obvious candidates for USC who currently coach college teams and have direct ties to the region. Cristobal is one. Despite no West Coast experience until 2017, Cristobal, 50, quickly rebooted his career and restored Oregon as the Pac-12's premier program. The Ducks have won consecutive league titles and appear to be on their way to a third after Saturday's win at Ohio State. USC would be foolish not to pursue Cristobal, especially since hiring him would damage a league competitor. The question is: Would Cristobal leave? USC has natural location advantages that Oregon lacks, and more long-term tradition. But Oregon is ready to compete for the CFP right now, and should have its best team in years in 2022. Plus, Oregon gave Cristobal an incredible opportunity when few considered him a top head-coaching candidate. Cristobal's buyout to leave Oregon is $9 million until Jan. 15, which is fairly steep for any suitor, even USC.
Still not sure why USC is a “slightly better position” because PSU has to look up at OSU. If that’s the case, then USC has to look up at Oregon, who just beat OSU if I remember correctly.
USC isn't in the same division as Oregon though so USC wouldn't have to worry about Oregon in the standings to make the P12 title game. USC's division is one of the easiest in P5 football. With the resources they have compared to the competition USC should be winning the P12 South every season.
When you’re making that kind of money, I don’t think it comes down to money….I think it comes down to where you want to live, opportunity to achieve what you want to achieve, and how you feel about who you work for. I think he can live just fine on what he makes in State College….more money isn’t going to make him any more “comfortable”.
It's all about the Los Angeles / Hollywood lights - atmosphere and the recruiting base. If they get the right coach, the sky's the limit. USC kind of reminds me of the period Alabama went through in the late 90s and early 2000s - really underachieving. Once Saban got there they took off. Same could happen to a USC that's been down for 10 to 15 years. Historically, their one of the top 5 to 6 programs
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It makes all the sense in the world to ESPN that lives and dies in the world of clicks....not reporting facts. Its all about speculation and creating discussion.
I always felt and feared 3 jobs (even if CJF is happy at PSU) ND, USC and Texas. IMO, there are virtually 0 coaches that would not listen......not saying take, but listen to what those folks have to say.
That being said.....the timing of the Helton firing gives me a hunch that a coach is in waiting....which leads me to believe its someone who is not currently coaching (Stoops?)
That being said.....the timing of the Helton firing gives me a hunch that a coach is in waiting....which leads me to believe its someone who is not currently coaching (Stoops?)
So USC fired their coach and is looking for a new one. This is headline news on the ESPN web page. Guess who ESPN thinks is the leading candidate to be the next USC coach!?
I seriously doubt that he would be interested at this point. He already got his new contract with raise before COVID. His team is ranked #10 and has the #2 recruiting class in the country coming in. After all of the work he put in why would he want to leave for a rebuild?
If he does decide to leave, I will be dissapointed but so be it. We are now in a much better position then when he came. I do hope that he squashes any speculation pretty quickly. Nothing can doom a big recruiting class faster than uncertainty about the coach's intentions.
Day just sent the ESPN piece to Allar
PSU is hiring a new President. How does CJF feel about the current BOT? How is his relationship with Sandy? Is Fumi happy in Happy Valley?
