Hackenberg: "It didn't have anything to do with the football program, and then all of a sudden..."

[ChiTownLion]

"...it had everything to do with the football program."

And another bottle of champagne pops off in the halls of Old Main!

Outstanding interview between Christian Hackenberg and Adam Breneman who go deep about their journey at Penn State University.

 

[Madsol]

Of course the truth, and obvious to anyone who cared to pay attention. But it begs the question...how bad are the misdeeds that are being covered up and how powerful are the people who committed them that they would sacrifice the football program and all the goodwill it had brought to the university to protect the evil doers?

 

[Uh Clem]

It’s interesting how neither Adam or Hack had much interest in Penn State until O’Brien arrived. Talks about how few juniors or seniors were on the team in the two years after sanctions. Also addresses the O’Brien departure. Worth the listen. Thanks Chi.

 

[Harrisburg Dave]

It’s interesting how neither Adam or Hack had much interest in Penn State until O’Brien arrived. Talks about how few juniors or seniors were on the team in the two years after sanctions. Also addresses the O’Brien departure. Worth the listen. Thanks Chi.

Bill O can always say, “It’s business” but he does not come off well. To their credit the two young men understand the business nature of the entire process, that’s why they came to play for Bill in the first place.

This was a fascinating look into the recruiting process and the perspective of the kids involved.

Interesting that Hack appreciates the experience of his last two years. He could have gone in another direction.

 

[MJG-90]

He mentions Dr. Lynch as well. He defends Franklin, but offers an explanation for the often shaky relationship between coach and team doctor.

 

[PearlSUJam]

He mentions Dr. Lynch as well. He defends Franklin, but offers an explanation for the often shaky relationship between coach and team doctor.

He even went so far as to say he was upset at Lynch when he Lynch wouldn't clear him to play.

 

[Harrisburg Dave]

He even went so far as to say he was upset at Lynch when he Lynch wouldn't clear him to play.

Yes, but he does say he trusts Dr Lynch. At the same time he says nothing but good things about Coach Franklin. He seems as confused as us as to why this issue has come up.

 

[Judge Smails]

Couple of interesting things. Both of them sound like they aren't happy with O'Brien, who lied to them repeatedly that he wasn't going to leave PSU. When they were being recruited, O'Brien said he would be at PSU for their entire careers. Then before he signed with the Texans, told both of them over and over he wasn't going anywhere.

Adam also brought up to Hack the situation where he didn't thank Franklin when he announced he was going pro despite thanking a long list of other people. Hack said he thanked Franklin before he made the announcement and then forgot to thank him during it. Water under the bridge and all that, but it became a huge negative story about the program and it would have been easy for Hack to just say "I forgot to thank JF. It was an oversight, of course I'm thankful for him blah blah blah." Hack never did. Radio silence.

Hack also talks about his pro football career. He talks about "the politics" about who plays, and how much luck is involved and timing, etc. As he matures, he really needs to learn about personal responsibility. "I didn't play well" is impossible for him to say or even acknowledge to himself.

 

[Fibes]

Couple of interesting things. Both of them sound like they aren't happy with O'Brien, who lied to them repeatedly that he wasn't going to leave PSU. When they were being recruited, O'Brien said he would be at PSU for their entire careers. Then before he signed with the Texans, told both of them over and over he wasn't going anywhere.

Adam also brought up to Hack the situation where he didn't thank Franklin when he announced he was going pro despite thanking a long list of other people. Hack said he thanked Franklin before he made the announcement and then forgot to thank him during it. Water under the bridge and all that, but it became a huge negative story about the program and it would have been easy for Hack to just say "I forgot to thank JF. It was an oversight, of course I'm thankful for him blah blah blah." Hack never did. Radio silence.

Amen. He acted like a punk. Easily correctable if hed have wanted to.

 

[Marylovesthelions]

Couple of interesting things. Both of them sound like they aren't happy with O'Brien, who lied to them repeatedly that he wasn't going to leave PSU. When they were being recruited, O'Brien said he would be at PSU for their entire careers. Then before he signed with the Texans, told both of them over and over he wasn't going anywhere.

Adam also brought up to Hack the situation where he didn't thank Franklin when he announced he was going pro despite thanking a long list of other people. Hack said he thanked Franklin before he made the announcement and then forgot to thank him during it. Water under the bridge and all that, but it became a huge negative story about the program and it would have been easy for Hack to just say "I forgot to thank JF. It was an oversight, of course I'm thankful for him blah blah blah." Hack never did. Radio silence.

Hack also talks about his pro football career. He talks about "the politics" about who plays, and how much luck is involved and timing, etc. As he matures, he really needs to learn about personal responsibility. "I didn't play well" is impossible for him to say or even acknowledge to himself.

I managed a lot of people over 35 years in business. All of the good and great ones had the ability to say, “I made a mistake and will correct it.” You can never learn from mistakes you refuse to acknowledge. Disappointed in Hack. Maybe that is why he never adapted to pro ball. A very serious character flaw.

 

[nits74]

I managed a lot of people over 35 years in business. All of the good and great ones had the ability to say, “I made a mistake and will correct it.” You can never learn from mistakes you refuse to acknowledge. Disappointed in Hack. Maybe that is why he never adapted to pro ball. A very serious character flaw.

I agree, Mary, with your first two sentences. I wasn't a big fan of Hack, but you gotta allow for the youth factor. You are being a little hard on him, I think.

 

[berklion]

Bob Gibson of the StL Cardinals just forgot to thank August Busch in his HOF speech. Auggie never got over it.

 

[JWB389]

After listening to the entire playback, I believe Hack sincerely forgot to thank JF.

Some interesting comments in there. One that caught my attention was that Hack feels slighted by the fact that most (perhaps media driven) do not understand the sacrifice they made as players relative to the sanctions.

 

[Zone-Blitz]

After listening to the entire playback, I believe Hack sincerely forgot to thank JF.

Some interesting comments in there. One that caught my attention was that Hack feels slighted by the fact that most (perhaps media driven) do not understand the sacrifice they made as players relative to the sanctions.

Who is slighting him? What are people supposed to do? Feeling slighted is a part of life. How many people have been part of a big project at your company and in the end didn’t feel like they received proper credit from the management. Happens to a lot of people. Get over it. Hack slighted his head coach in his thank you letter, the coach who went to bat for him for 2 years despite atrocious performances

 

[Fibes]

He did allude to the fact that he was very young when he was dealing with everything that was going on back then, so fair enough. His sideline demeanor during 2015, his unwillingness to put his head down for an extra yard or two and a first down during a few games, and his post bowl game thank yous werent exemplary. He, and the other players, got a raw deal when OB left. Looking back, Hackenberg probably should have transferred out when he left. He would have gotten to work in a pro style offense, and PSU would have gotten four years of Trace McSorley. I dont slight him for his behavior though. I slight him for being a bad QB. He actually seems like a decent guy in the interview. Franklin seems to bear no ill will to him, so its a dead issue to me.

 

[Yanks49]

After listening to this podcast, in my opinion, there are far too many people that have been way too hard on Hack. Both he and Adam are so proud of being part of this program. If Hack ended up not being a successful NFL player, it is what it is. How many qb's in Penn State history have dealt with the various kinds of adversity? Probably none. The scandal, the drastically reduced scholarships, the coaching change which went against his strengths, horrible pass blocking? If you don't want to appreciate what he did at Penn State, that's a shame.

 

[RickinDayton]

After listening to this podcast, in my opinion, there are far too many people that have been way too hard on Hack. Both he and Adam are so proud of being part of this program. If Hack ended up not being a successful NFL player, it is what it is. How many qb's in Penn State history have dealt with the various kinds of adversity? Probably none. The scandal, the drastically reduced scholarships, the coaching change which went against his strengths, horrible pass blocking? If you don't want to appreciate what he did at Penn State, that's a shame.

Well said.

 

[JWB389]

After listening to this podcast, in my opinion, there are far too many people that have been way too hard on Hack. Both he and Adam are so proud of being part of this program. If Hack ended up not being a successful NFL player, it is what it is. How many qb's in Penn State history have dealt with the various kinds of adversity? Probably none. The scandal, the drastically reduced scholarships, the coaching change which went against his strengths, horrible pass blocking? If you don't want to appreciate what he did at Penn State, that's a shame.

I agree. Listening to that podcast, the interaction between the two of them, they went through a lot of crap in their time at PSU. It is really worth a listen.

 

[ram2020]

And for all the O'Brien defenders, the team was certainly surprised and hurt that he took the Texans job. Adam mentions it left them feeling very vulnerable. Nothing like an adult telling the kids on their recruitment that he would see them through their entire careers and then being gone the next year. I don't care what he did to save our program, unacceptable behavior. Kid's never forget that stuff.

 

[Ian]

“Nothing like an adult telling the kids on their recruitment that he would see them through their entire careers and then being gone the next year.”

He said what? No way he would say that to a top ranked recruit. No way.

 

[LoyalandTrueLion]

Of course the truth, and obvious to anyone who cared to pay attention. But it begs the question...how bad are the misdeeds that are being covered up and how powerful are the people who committed them that they would sacrifice the football program and all the goodwill it had brought to the university to protect the evil doers?

That is possible i do believe it but i think just cya attitude with others people money and cowardice

 

[artsandletters]

I listened to the entire podcast and enjoyed it. Hack said he thanked James privately, in the trainer’s room, after the bowl game and before speaking to the press.

 

[canuckhal]

Couple of interesting things. Both of them sound like they aren't happy with O'Brien, who lied to them repeatedly that he wasn't going to leave PSU. When they were being recruited, O'Brien said he would be at PSU for their entire careers. Then before he signed with the Texans, told both of them over and over he wasn't going anywhere.

Adam also brought up to Hack the situation where he didn't thank Franklin when he announced he was going pro despite thanking a long list of other people. Hack said he thanked Franklin before he made the announcement and then forgot to thank him during it. Water under the bridge and all that, but it became a huge negative story about the program and it would have been easy for Hack to just say "I forgot to thank JF. It was an oversight, of course I'm thankful for him blah blah blah." Hack never did. Radio silence.

Hack also talks about his pro football career. He talks about "the politics" about who plays, and how much luck is involved and timing, etc. As he matures, he really needs to learn about personal responsibility. "I didn't play well" is impossible for him to say or even acknowledge to himself.

Any QB is going to show confidence in his abilities. Hack did take responsibility. He said he wasn't mentally prepared for the NFL. Basically admitted he came out too early. I thought he should have transferred his final year. He also stated that he would have better off being drafted later so there wouldn't have been as much pressure on him, esp. in New York. I think what he was saying is that he was too young to handle the pressure and he wasn't given much of an opportunity to learn. But alas that is the NFL. I wouldn't expect him to say that he wasn't good enough as he believes in his talent. I doubt McMoxie would say he wasn't good enough either nor would any other QB.

 

[canuckhal]

After listening to the entire playback, I believe Hack sincerely forgot to thank JF.

Some interesting comments in there. One that caught my attention was that Hack feels slighted by the fact that most (perhaps media driven) do not understand the sacrifice they made as players relative to the sanctions.

And the enormity of the situation. 43 scholarship players and one of the youngest teams by far in the B10 if not NCAA. And really a team without an OL. Dude took a lot of punishment and kept getting up.

 

[91Joe95]

And for all the O'Brien defenders, the team was certainly surprised and hurt that he took the Texans job. Adam mentions it left them feeling very vulnerable. Nothing like an adult telling the kids on their recruitment that he would see them through their entire careers and then being gone the next year. I don't care what he did to save our program, unacceptable behavior. Kid's never forget that stuff.

Watching him leave was very interesting when compared to what Redd said when he left, and how FLO reacted to it.

 

[LoyalandTrueLion]

I listened to the entire podcast and enjoyed it. Hack said he thanked James privately, in the trainer’s room, after the bowl game and before speaking to the press.

Its gets dark for a bit. And now we know why the kid never or rately looked up in post game photos

 

[bdgan]

And for all the O'Brien defenders, the team was certainly surprised and hurt that he took the Texans job. Adam mentions it left them feeling very vulnerable. Nothing like an adult telling the kids on their recruitment that he would see them through their entire careers and then being gone the next year. I don't care what he did to save our program, unacceptable behavior. Kid's never forget that stuff.

I recall BOB remaining with the Patriots while PSU was losing recruits. BOB said something to the effect that PSU hired a coach for the next 5+ years, not the next few months. PSU went on to lose it's first 2 games to less talented teams before turning things around. I'm not sure he had the team prepared.

Then he left after 2 years in spite of promising recruits that he would see them through their careers. Not good IMO. When he left I recall D. Barnes saying something like you've got to look out for #1. Not a good message for college kids IMO.

BOB did some good things at PSU (UM 4 OT, Wisc) but I don't think he saved the program. I think the players that stayed and the amazing fan base saved the program. BOB used PSU as a stepping stone to the NFL.

 

[Pinkhippo PeanutButter]

Given the timing of the sanctions and how close it was to start, in hindsight, it would be tough for anyone, let alone someone with a bit of character to:

• Leave your friends/GF
• Deal with the school stuff related to transfer
• Know that you will be causing the guy with scholly #85 at new school to be processed
• Leave their college program which you have some history with & loyalty to.

In hindsight, even with sanctions, it was unlikely loads would leave.

BoB likely reminded the players of the above, as did the upperclassmen. He played a small role.

I do believe he ran a tight ship and implemented any Freeh report recommendations in his power asap & fully. And that, if I recall correctly, got scholly sanctions reduced at least a year before courts eliminated them entirely. That brought 10 schollys into the fold early, and is what reinforced the foundation which allowed the program to recover.

 

[PearlSUJam]

Given the timing of the sanctions and how close it was to start, in hindsight, it would be tough for anyone, let alone someone with a bit of character to:

• Leave your friends/GF
• Deal with the school stuff related to transfer
• Know that you will be causing the guy with scholly #85 at new school to be processed
• Leave their college program which you have some history with & loyalty to.

In hindsight, even with sanctions, it was unlikely loads would leave.

BoB likely reminded the players of the above, as did the upperclassmen. He played a small role.

I do believe he ran a tight ship and implemented any Freeh report recommendations in his power asap & fully. And that, if I recall correctly, got scholly sanctions reduced at least a year before courts eliminated them entirely. That brought 10 schollys into the fold early, and is what reinforced the foundation which allowed the program to recover.

Yeah, and George Mitchell was in charge of that and where is he now?

 

[Connorpozlee]

Given the timing of the sanctions and how close it was to start, in hindsight, it would be tough for anyone, let alone someone with a bit of character to:

• Leave your friends/GF
• Deal with the school stuff related to transfer
• Know that you will be causing the guy with scholly #85 at new school to be processed
• Leave their college program which you have some history with & loyalty to.

In hindsight, even with sanctions, it was unlikely loads would leave.

BoB likely reminded the players of the above, as did the upperclassmen. He played a small role.

I do believe he ran a tight ship and implemented any Freeh report recommendations in his power asap & fully. And that, if I recall correctly, got scholly sanctions reduced at least a year before courts eliminated them entirely. That brought 10 schollys into the fold early, and is what reinforced the foundation which allowed the program to recover.

If I recall correctly, other programs were allowed to exceed the 85 scholarship limit if they took on Penn State transfers,

 

[nittany119]

Given the timing of the sanctions and how close it was to start, in hindsight, it would be tough for anyone, let alone someone with a bit of character to:

• Leave your friends/GF
• Deal with the school stuff related to transfer
• Know that you will be causing the guy with scholly #85 at new school to be processed
• Leave their college program which you have some history with & loyalty to.

In hindsight, even with sanctions, it was unlikely loads would leave.

BoB likely reminded the players of the above, as did the upperclassmen. He played a small role.

I do believe he ran a tight ship and implemented any Freeh report recommendations in his power asap & fully. And that, if I recall correctly, got scholly sanctions reduced at least a year before courts eliminated them entirely. That brought 10 schollys into the fold early, and is what reinforced the foundation which allowed the program to recover.

If I remember correctly, any player that transferred was not counted against the new school’s scollies.

 

[Mixolydian]

If I remember correctly, any player that transferred was not counted against the new school’s scollies.

Yep only a colossal dipshit like Mark Emmert could have come up with that...

 

[artsandletters]

“Nothing like an adult telling the kids on their recruitment that he would see them through their entire careers and then being gone the next year.”

He said what? No way he would say that to a top ranked recruit. No way.

So Adam and Christian lied? No way.

 

[PSUinCali]

And for all the O'Brien defenders, the team was certainly surprised and hurt that he took the Texans job. Adam mentions it left them feeling very vulnerable. Nothing like an adult telling the kids on their recruitment that he would see them through their entire careers and then being gone the next year. I don't care what he did to save our program, unacceptable behavior. Kid's never forget that stuff.

Coaches have always had their career agendas. Players with signed letters of intent did not. Well people...it's looks like the ole Portal has evened that playing field or, perhaps, has swung the leverage more to the players' behalf...(brought to you by....the NCAA...) Both ways it stinks, but it is now what has evolved....doesn't matter though as long as Alabama and Clemson keep selling what they're selling...

 

[RTLH]

Of course the truth, and obvious to anyone who cared to pay attention. But it begs the question...how bad are the misdeeds that are being covered up and how powerful are the people who committed them that they would sacrifice the football program and all the goodwill it had brought to the university to protect the evil doers?

Never shit where you eat.

 

[RTLH]

Couple of interesting things. Both of them sound like they aren't happy with O'Brien, who lied to them repeatedly that he wasn't going to leave PSU. When they were being recruited, O'Brien said he would be at PSU for their entire careers. Then before he signed with the Texans, told both of them over and over he wasn't going anywhere.

Adam also brought up to Hack the situation where he didn't thank Franklin when he announced he was going pro despite thanking a long list of other people. Hack said he thanked Franklin before he made the announcement and then forgot to thank him during it. Water under the bridge and all that, but it became a huge negative story about the program and it would have been easy for Hack to just say "I forgot to thank JF. It was an oversight, of course I'm thankful for him blah blah blah." Hack never did. Radio silence.

Hack also talks about his pro football career. He talks about "the politics" about who plays, and how much luck is involved and timing, etc. As he matures, he really needs to learn about personal responsibility. "I didn't play well" is impossible for him to say or even acknowledge to himself.

As we have all learned the past generation or so all coaches are liars.

 

[Nitt1300]

As we have all learned the past generation or so all coaches are liars.

It's a rotten business, and they know it.

Lose too many- or the wrong game -and it doesn't matter if they graduate their players, take a positive leading role on campus and in the community, or cure cancer.

They are as honest as the people that they work for and that their teams play in front of.

 

[Kiber]

My opinion on Hack... I believe people DO have a very sentimental leniency when viewing Hack because of how he stuck with the program. People remember that he did stick with us thru our darkest time and have a soft spot for him. But at what point do people just admit he was over-rated coming out of HS? That is not a big slap at Hack, there are many guys who are over-rated coming out of HS. DWill was the #1 overall player in the country, and although he was a very good player, he was not worthy of #1 overall. Wally Richardson was a super highly rated recruit and was overated. Morelli was a 5* recruit coming out of HS...... I still see these non-stop excuses for Hack's play. Blame Franklin's system. Blame youth. Blame the NFLs political system....

There's a time to just be brutally honest and say that Hack was a very good prospect, but he was probably overated coming out of HS

 

[ram2020]

So Adam and Christian lied? No way.

Seriously? Did you listen to the podcast? They could not have come across more genuine and Adam told of his Dad screaming "you promised these kids Bill" on a phone call with BOB one morning after news broke that he was going to skip town.

 

[Yanks49]

There's a time to just be brutally honest and say that Hack was a very good prospect, but he was probably overated coming out of HS[/QUOTE]

Ok, he and a million other kids.

Again, what other Penn State qb had to deal with anything remotely close to the situation he was in?.

Apparently the pros were interested in his potential. Even if the Jets hadn't drafted him, someone would have.