We're coming to the end of 2015. What kind of year was it for Penn State, on and off the field? There was joy, there was sadness, THERE. WAS. OUTRAGE. 
, depending on where you look. How do you view the year overall?
I think it was a good year for the most part. We can start with football (on the field). There were a lot of predictions of a better year than 7-5. Unfortunately, the lack of depth and legitimate Penn State-type FBS talent showed itself early (arguably even in the Blue-White Game). There were complaints that Donovan had to go, and go he did. I hate to see a guy get fired, and I sincerely hope he lands on his feet, but I think Franklin had to make the change. I think the offense will improve with the appointment of Joe Moorhead.
Despite the offensive woes, I liked Penn State's defense again this year. Shoop does a good job. I can't say enough about Carl Nassib. What a story. Penn State has a knack for getting kids who turn out to be great stories. Before Nassib, it was Sam Ficken. These kids make Penn State special.
Of course, Saquon Barkley emerged as one of the most exciting players in the country this year. Behind a legitimate offensive line (which I think we will see in the next couple of years), he is going to be very dangerous.
Off the field, these players represented Penn State well. We didn't hear of shenanigans. They always speak well in interviews. No venting, no throwing coaches or other players under the bus after a tough loss. Penn State continues to bring in good kids.
Although the season did not go as well as we had hoped, it is clear that the Penn State Brand is still strong. A 7-5 team is in a January 2nd bowl game against a quality SEC opponent.
I say the future is bright for the football program.
Other sports had or are having success. Of course, the women's soccer team won its first national championship. Wrestling is ranked #1. The men's basketball program is improving.
It was a disappointing year for women's volleyball by Russ Rose's incredible standards. The Lions lost in the Sweet Sixteen this year. They will be back, of course, as Rose continues to recruit well. I am encouraged that he signed a 5-year contract extension last week.
Getting really off the field, the legal process is a very slow and not so sane one, but I think we got closer to the truth in 2015. There was joy AND. OUTRAGE. over the Corman settlement in January, but some good did come of it. 409! The alumni-elected trustees made great strides this year, an example being the recent ruling that said trustees may review the freeh documents. Ryan Bagwell also continued to press forward and bring the truth to light. Of course, there remain obstacles, including the old-guard trustees who are desperate to obfuscate in the name of hiding the truth. And, there's barron. There is a lot more that can be said concerning the legal process and the search for the truth, and I will leave it to our experts to comment further.
Then there was the concern of funding for the athletic program. With the mess created by the old-guard trustees, the athletic program faces challenges it never did before. Where will the money come from? Will Beaver Stadium be replaced? Will Penn State go all-in in the college athletics arms race? This is a difficult issue, and there are no easy answers and likely no answers that will please everyone. Can barbour not only keep the ship afloat but navigate the choppy waters ahead to safety and a bright future for the athletic program? CUE. THE. OUTRAGE.
There are probably topics that I missed. Feel free to add them. How do you view for 2015 for Penn State? What do you see for the university in 2016?
, depending on where you look. How do you view the year overall?I think it was a good year for the most part. We can start with football (on the field). There were a lot of predictions of a better year than 7-5. Unfortunately, the lack of depth and legitimate Penn State-type FBS talent showed itself early (arguably even in the Blue-White Game). There were complaints that Donovan had to go, and go he did. I hate to see a guy get fired, and I sincerely hope he lands on his feet, but I think Franklin had to make the change. I think the offense will improve with the appointment of Joe Moorhead.
Despite the offensive woes, I liked Penn State's defense again this year. Shoop does a good job. I can't say enough about Carl Nassib. What a story. Penn State has a knack for getting kids who turn out to be great stories. Before Nassib, it was Sam Ficken. These kids make Penn State special.
Of course, Saquon Barkley emerged as one of the most exciting players in the country this year. Behind a legitimate offensive line (which I think we will see in the next couple of years), he is going to be very dangerous.
Off the field, these players represented Penn State well. We didn't hear of shenanigans. They always speak well in interviews. No venting, no throwing coaches or other players under the bus after a tough loss. Penn State continues to bring in good kids.
Although the season did not go as well as we had hoped, it is clear that the Penn State Brand is still strong. A 7-5 team is in a January 2nd bowl game against a quality SEC opponent.
I say the future is bright for the football program.
Other sports had or are having success. Of course, the women's soccer team won its first national championship. Wrestling is ranked #1. The men's basketball program is improving.
It was a disappointing year for women's volleyball by Russ Rose's incredible standards. The Lions lost in the Sweet Sixteen this year. They will be back, of course, as Rose continues to recruit well. I am encouraged that he signed a 5-year contract extension last week.
Getting really off the field, the legal process is a very slow and not so sane one, but I think we got closer to the truth in 2015. There was joy AND. OUTRAGE.
over the Corman settlement in January, but some good did come of it. 409! The alumni-elected trustees made great strides this year, an example being the recent ruling that said trustees may review the freeh documents. Ryan Bagwell also continued to press forward and bring the truth to light. Of course, there remain obstacles, including the old-guard trustees who are desperate to obfuscate in the name of hiding the truth. And, there's barron. There is a lot more that can be said concerning the legal process and the search for the truth, and I will leave it to our experts to comment further.Then there was the concern of funding for the athletic program. With the mess created by the old-guard trustees, the athletic program faces challenges it never did before. Where will the money come from? Will Beaver Stadium be replaced? Will Penn State go all-in in the college athletics arms race? This is a difficult issue, and there are no easy answers and likely no answers that will please everyone. Can barbour not only keep the ship afloat but navigate the choppy waters ahead to safety and a bright future for the athletic program? CUE. THE. OUTRAGE.
There are probably topics that I missed. Feel free to add them. How do you view for 2015 for Penn State? What do you see for the university in 2016?
