In retrospect, what are your current thoughts on LJ, Sr.?
- Thread starter Jerademan74
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He got a national championship ring at Tosu, but I'm not sure he earned it, per se. I'm not saying he did nothing last year, but in his first season, I don't know that he played an instrumental role in Tosu winning the title. He became known as a great recruiter at PSU, but from what I've heard, he has not had the same impact at Tosu. Again, he has only been there one year.
I'm sure he thinks he made the right move. He probably got a nice boost in pay at Tosu, and he has a championship ring. He'll be there a few more years before he retires, but I don't expect he will have a huge impact there.
For the record, I have nothing against LJ, Sr. He couldn't get what he wanted at PSU, and meyer made a good strategic move hiring him. I still don't buy the Barnes draft story since there is no proof of it, so I don't hold that against him either.
I'm sure he thinks he made the right move. He probably got a nice boost in pay at Tosu, and he has a championship ring. He'll be there a few more years before he retires, but I don't expect he will have a huge impact there.
For the record, I have nothing against LJ, Sr. He couldn't get what he wanted at PSU, and meyer made a good strategic move hiring him. I still don't buy the Barnes draft story since there is no proof of it, so I don't hold that against him either.
Why not? He was a very good coach for PSU. The administration wanted to distance themselves from the old regime after the JS scandal so it's difficult to blame him for finding another job.
My only criticism of LJ and all former coaches is that they haven't been more outspoken about the unjust treatment given to Joe and the PSU football program. I guess all of these guys have been advised by counsel to keep quiet. The administration probably also shut them up by making retirement, severance, etc. contingent on their silence.
My only criticism of LJ and all former coaches is that they haven't been more outspoken about the unjust treatment given to Joe and the PSU football program. I guess all of these guys have been advised by counsel to keep quiet. The administration probably also shut them up by making retirement, severance, etc. contingent on their silence.
If he was looking for more money and a feeling of being wanted I suppose it was a good choice for him but only he can answer that. No doubt one of the reasons Meyer hired him was to make deeper inroads into recruiting MD/DC/VA since LJ had a lot of success there for PSU. In the short run that hasn't panned out.
Not that this answers your question, but I certainly enjoyed the hypocrisy of the Buckeye fan base welcoming him into the fold. Before the hiring - he covered up child rape just like all the Penn State coaches; after the hiring - LJ will be a huge asset to the Bucks.
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All things considered he was great for Penn State. He typically brought in our best recruits but was also responsible for bringing in some of our worst (from a character perspective). I think in the end he got a bit too big in the britches by thinking the PSU job should have been his, but it's worked out for us (our recruiting in the DMV has actually improved IMO) and him. No hard feelings here, but he's no longer one of us.
Exactly what I said to the ohowIhate fans when they were saying they "stole" LJ from Penn State. Once I said that, I heard crickets.
I had the opportunity to talk with LJ at the OH HS FB coaches' clinic in January. I told him he was like the wife who divorced her husband and married the neighbor the husband hated. He had a good laugh at that. He is very happy at ohowIhate, but one thing that did not sit well with me is this comment; "Urban is a great guy. Who you see is who he really is." Not sour grapes, not that I cannot stand anything about the red and silver team from Columbass, but Urban's actions in FLA, and a few things at O$U make me wonder what LJ saw.
LJ did PS very well. But, like was mentioned above, he seemed to feel he was the next person in line at PS and that wasn't going to happen.
I had the opportunity to talk with LJ at the OH HS FB coaches' clinic in January. I told him he was like the wife who divorced her husband and married the neighbor the husband hated. He had a good laugh at that. He is very happy at ohowIhate, but one thing that did not sit well with me is this comment; "Urban is a great guy. Who you see is who he really is." Not sour grapes, not that I cannot stand anything about the red and silver team from Columbass, but Urban's actions in FLA, and a few things at O$U make me wonder what LJ saw.
LJ did PS very well. But, like was mentioned above, he seemed to feel he was the next person in line at PS and that wasn't going to happen.
This was a great move for him. In his mind he should have gotten the head job and it was time to move on. LJ was tremendously loyal to Joe and PSU, was an outstanding coach and recruiter. I'm happy for him and thankful for his years of service to PSU.
I do think he made the right choice for himself. He was passed over twice for HC and while Franklin offered to retain him, I am sure LJ knew that JF preferred his own guy Spencer. In the end he got a raise and an unexpected championship ring.
This was a case of win/win for both sides IMO.
The best thing about LJ going to Columbus is that Tony followed him.
I can't say I've thought at all about LJ since he left.
I appreciate what he accomplished for us. Now that he is a high profile assistant at our most formidable opponent, he's just another guy I want to beat.
I appreciate what he accomplished for us. Now that he is a high profile assistant at our most formidable opponent, he's just another guy I want to beat.
I keep remembering what Joe said about LJ Sr, that the Penn State community did not understand all the did for the team. If Joe said it, that was good enough for me. Having met him and heard him speak, he was more than advertised. Whatever he deserved and how he was treated are up for debate as he like most of Joe's staff is not talking.
Also, I have seen 2 of 3 last defensive coordinators play very well with one common denominator is players that were recruited and molded by Joe, LJ Sr, and company, and the true Penn State football culture that is more resilient than most of us thought.
I don't doubt the team can play and recruit as good or better than under Joe, but it's more than about football. How long will this team and coaching staff need to be together to accumulate the types and numbers of anecdotes we commonly see on this board regarding interaction with the community in non-football ways? I like Coach Franklin, but it's more than a Caravan and Food Network. Not that the near future won't be enjoyable at least in football terms, but it's times like the last few years that make me feel fortunate I went to Penn State when I did and had the personal experiences I had, not necessarily better, just different.
Also, I have seen 2 of 3 last defensive coordinators play very well with one common denominator is players that were recruited and molded by Joe, LJ Sr, and company, and the true Penn State football culture that is more resilient than most of us thought.
I don't doubt the team can play and recruit as good or better than under Joe, but it's more than about football. How long will this team and coaching staff need to be together to accumulate the types and numbers of anecdotes we commonly see on this board regarding interaction with the community in non-football ways? I like Coach Franklin, but it's more than a Caravan and Food Network. Not that the near future won't be enjoyable at least in football terms, but it's times like the last few years that make me feel fortunate I went to Penn State when I did and had the personal experiences I had, not necessarily better, just different.
Loved LJ when he was at PSU, believe he made the right move, and hope he loses every game from now on.
LJ was a big part of our program coming back strong in 2005 (if you don't recall - it was about to die). He was a big part of saving us from the dark years. He did good things here and should be welcomed back if he ever wants to return (though I doubt he'll make another change before retirement). People are allowed to change jobs
So true but so true of fans in general. The people that make the "he has another big heart problem coming soon" jokes regarding Meyer are the same people would have went insanely crazy with happiness if he was hired. Not all obviously, BUT A LOT.
I think we have the next Urban. I was pissed about LG's choice but he knew the door was closing and he walked through it. I am happy he has the ring. I think he probably could have been a good head coach somewhere but it just wasn't in the cards.
I've been somewhat amazed how many people creamed BOB for leaving to go to the NFL but had little bad to say about Johnson going over to the enemy. Giving Johnson a pass doesn't make sense to me .... he left because his feelings were hurt when he was not considered for the head coaching job. Guess what ... he's not a head coach candidate .... and to go to OSU to essentially do the same job he had at PSU stinks. Imagine if BOB went to OSU to become their head coach. Bottom line - he made the right choice for Larry Johnson Sr. but stuck it to PSU. I've lost all regard for the man.
He was good for PSU while he was here and we in return were very good to him and his family. I think he let his emotions get the better of him when he turned to OSU and that is my only negative feeling towards him. I wish him all the best except when it concerns PSU.
Well, he may have taken the OSU job, first for the money, second maybe he feels he can actually help "some" of the minority players actually graduate. Sort of like a top teacher working in an urban school district as opposed to a suburban one 
He is O$U Larry now. I thank him for his time working for Joe. He is no longer Penn State but that was his choice alone. I hope he likes his new job and not just the title.
He was ready for a change of scenery and could have pretty much picked his next job. I don't know how anyone can say he made a bad choice or wish the guy ill will given all of the years of service and class he handled himself with at PSU.
We're happy for LJ sr., but hopefully within 5 years a hot shot YOUNG OSU assistant coach leaves OSU staff to coach with JF at State because it's a step up in his career path!
Asking my "thoughts" on Larry Johnson is a totally different question than asking if I think he made the "right choice" by going to Ohio State.
Two different questions.
I don't really think about him. He's a good DL coach in the twilight of his career. I think he was a bit butt hurt and his kids tipped everyone off.
I think he made a good choice to leave Penn State when he did, but not for the reasons he stated (acted pretty foolishly to think he would be named HC after it was clear that new blood was being sought). Also, he could have gone somewhere other than OSU, like to a school that isn't our arch rival enemy. He became an Urban Meyer loyalist and bought into his BS just so UM could try to recruit DL that may have come to PSU. I really don't see much if any of that happening, so LJ, Sr. probably will have a short tenure at OSU. I wish him good luck though as he was a true loyalist to Joe. This love-fest he portrays now with Urban Meyer is one of convenience at a later stage of his career.
I don't see the "loyalty" in persuading a former player to leave his final year of eligibility for an NFL draft that he was never going to be chosen in, while persuading his own top 3 round pick to stay. It can be argued that it was not intentional, but certainly cannot be considered "loyal".
