The Franklin bashers should read this.

[PSU4U]

The only reason PS might fire Franklin is if he has two losing seasons in a row. Oh wait, nope PS didn't the last time a PS head coach did that. This statement is not part of the article just saying.

Penn State is in its Best State Since Joining Big Ten | NSN

Penn State football is the healthiest it’s been since joining the Big Ten more than 30 years ago. Some might not what to admit it.

nittanysportsnow.com

 

[LMTLION]

The only reason PS might fire Franklin is if he has two losing season in a row. Oh wait, nope PS didn't the last time a PS head coach did that. This statement is not part of the article just saying.

Penn State is in its Best State Since Joining Big Ten | NSN

Penn State football is the healthiest it’s been since joining the Big Ten more than 30 years ago. Some might not what to admit it.

nittanysportsnow.com

Thank you. Sometimes we all need a little perspective on things. After our undefeated 1994 season UM and Osu evolved and we got stagnant, particularly along both lines and next tier schools like Iowa and Wiscy (or the infamous Minnesota game) started to bully us from time to time. We should have won a natty in the late 90s with all that talent.

 

[PSU4U]

Thank you. Sometimes we all need a little perspective on things. After our undefeated 1994 season UM and Osu evolved and we got stagnant, particularly along both lines and next tier schools like Iowa and Wiscy (or the infamous Minnesota game) started to bully us from time to time. We should have won a natty in the late 90s with all that talent.

We as a program were obviously slipping at that time under Joe even in facilities. After that stretch you know what hit and it was a miracle that we survived as program. It's been a long road back but we are getting there. Most programs might not ever come back to where we are today. Forever marching forward.

 

[LMTLION]

We as a program were obviously slipping at that time under Joe even in facilities. After that stretch you know what hit and it was a miracle that we survived as program. It's been a long road back but we are getting there. Most programs might not ever come back to where we are today. Forever marching forward.

It is a miracle to be back at level we have rarely seen since the ‘80s truly.

 

[NittanyIllinois]

There's a lot of truth to this. It's partly a testament to the fact that CJF has done a really good job here. It's also partly due to the fact that Joe's tenure in the Big Ten (aside from 1994) was a bit overrated on the whole.

Joe had a 64% winning percentage in Big Ten games. Less than Franklin's 66% -- and I'd argue that Franklin has had a tougher Big Ten to contend with.

We crucify Franklin for losing the big games. In the Big Ten, so did Joe.

 

[KnightWhoSaysNit]

JVP was a better coach. The Franklin-type is needed in this era to collect the players, but JVP was a better football coach. It's that simple.

 

[PSU4U]

It is a miracle to be back at level we have rarely seen since the ‘80s truly.

Amen.

 

[KnightWhoSaysNit]

I'll add that a lot of these JVP-Franklin discussions are comparing apples and oranges -- often a mismatch between age (critical for recruiting) and/or facilities. JVP built Penn State Football, or we would have become something closer to what Pitt or North Carolina State is today. Franklin had to recover what JVP had built after the BOT had wrecked it. Each was appropriate for their time, but ....

If you could have them at the same age and assume that each were available to prepare the same team for a critical game, and then game-day coach that team, which would you choose? Be honest.

 

[Nittanyplayer#12]

Joe had a knack, as does Franklin, to create bonds with players. As for a game day coach, Joe was probably the best for years. Franklin seems to look for the moment of greatness Hollywood bullshit. You take the points, control the clock, coach smart and get the W.

 

[CoastGuard2018]

There's a lot of truth to this. It's partly a testament to the fact that CJF has done a really good job here. It's also partly due to the fact that Joe's tenure in the Big Ten (aside from 1994) was a bit overrated on the whole.

Joe had a 64% winning percentage in Big Ten games. Less than Franklin's 66% -- and I'd argue that Franklin has had a tougher Big Ten to contend with.

We crucify Franklin for losing the big games. In the Big Ten, so did Joe.

Definitely. Paterno had John Cooper for a bunch of years.

 

[NittanyIllinois]

Definitely. Paterno had John Cooper for a bunch of years.

And even then, Joe went 3-5 against Cooper.

 

[MacNit2.0]

I'll add that a lot of these JVP-Franklin discussions are comparing apples and oranges -- often a mismatch between age (critical for recruiting) and/or facilities. JVP built Penn State Football, or we would have become something closer to what Pitt or North Carolina State is today. Franklin had to recover what JVP had built after the BOT had wrecked it. Each was appropriate for their time, but ....

If you could have them at the same age and assume that each were available to prepare the same team for a critical game, and then game-day coach that team, which would you choose? Be honest.

11 years: Franklin’s signature road win?

There is your answer.

This is laughable. Shows the level of apologist.

Joe was one of the greatest coaches of all time…in any sport…at any level.

 

[MacNit2.0]

And even then, Joe went 3-5 against Cooper.

Joe went into Columbus and beat a top ranked and a top 5 ranked O$U team.

Frankin?

He went into Purdue?

 

[KnightWhoSaysNit]

Joe went into Columbus and beat a top ranked and a top 5 ranked O$U team.

I was at that game. Remember it well.

 

[heckmans]

There's a lot of truth to this. It's partly a testament to the fact that CJF has done a really good job here. It's also partly due to the fact that Joe's tenure in the Big Ten (aside from 1994) was a bit overrated on the whole.

Joe had a 64% winning percentage in Big Ten games. Less than Franklin's 66% -- and I'd argue that Franklin has had a tougher Big Ten to contend with.

We crucify Franklin for losing the big games. In the Big Ten, so did Joe.

I just can't understand the JF apologists that try to diminish JVP. He is a terrible game manager. He does everything else required of a CFB coach really well, but he is really bad at the actual football coaching vs his peers. It's clear to anybody with eyes. I don't know how it's an argument. JF is a good man and I just want him to learn the basics of coaching a FB game.

Every single person on this board knows that JVP could have taken the exact teams that JF has coached and done better than 1-18 or whatever the record is against TopX teams.

This isn't bashing JF. It's just an honest critique of his performance against his peers.

 

[ryoder1]

There's a lot of truth to this. It's partly a testament to the fact that CJF has done a really good job here. It's also partly due to the fact that Joe's tenure in the Big Ten (aside from 1994) was a bit overrated on the whole.

Joe had a 64% winning percentage in Big Ten games. Less than Franklin's 66% -- and I'd argue that Franklin has had a tougher Big Ten to contend with.

We crucify Franklin for losing the big games. In the Big Ten, so did Joe.

When Joe was in his 70s and 80s. How did Joe do in his 50s when he was Franklin's age? 2 Nattys and a number of big wins over Notre Dame, Pitt (when Pitt had a real football team), USC, Alabama, Nebraska. Miami, Georgia and Ohio State. If Franklin does half of what Joe did over the next 10 years he would get a huge new contract.

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

The only reason PS might fire Franklin is if he has two losing season in a row. Oh wait, nope PS didn't the last time a PS head coach did that. This statement is not part of the article just saying.

Penn State is in its Best State Since Joining Big Ten | NSN

Penn State football is the healthiest it’s been since joining the Big Ten more than 30 years ago. Some might not what to admit it.

nittanysportsnow.com

PS? Stop while you’re behind.

 

[NittanyIllinois]

Joe went into Columbus and beat a top ranked and a top 5 ranked O$U team.

Frankin?

He went into Purdue?

You're talking 2008? The Terrelle Pryor freshman year?

They were #10 nationally. We came in #3. A great win, no doubt. But that OSU team wasn't on par with the OSU teams of the Meyer/Day era. They finished 10-3 that year.

Paterno beat some good OSU teams, and really only one great one -- 2005 (the Tamba Hali game). Otherwise, Tressel had Joe's number.

 

[NittanyIllinois]

When Joe was in his 70s and 80s. How did Joe do in his 50s when he was Franklin's age? 2 Nattys and a number of big wins over Notre Dame, Pitt (when Pitt had a real football team), USC, Alabama, Nebraska. Miami, Georgia and Ohio State. If Franklin does half of what Joe did over the next 10 years he would get a huge new contract.

That is definitely fair, and Joe at his peak was one of the best to ever do it. I'm not arguing otherwise.

I'm just going by what we actually have the data to prove. And once Joe joined the Big Ten, we rarely fielded an elite team -- 1994 was really it. Even when we had truly stacked teams, we couldn't win big games. It's not like Joe's teams in the late 90s and 2000s (other than the dark years) had crappy rosters. We had some really solid rosters lay a total egg in big games.

1996 in Columbus and 1997 against Michigan were two games that signaled to me that we had a serious problem with the top of the Big Ten.

 

[Yanks49]

Franklin isn't Paterno. Got it. How many coaches were?
Many of you think another coach would be better. Given every factor involved, who?
Don't say Meyer, too many hate him. Don't say Saban, if he wasn't as Alabama with SEC "perks". Who?

 

[PSUCYCLING]

For the first time in 30 years, we have a consistent, dominant running game.

11 years: Franklin’s signature road win?

There is your answer.

This is laughable. Shows the level of apologist.

Joe was one of the greatest coaches of all time…in any sport…at any level.

Joe was one of the greatest, but, B1G Joe was no better than Franklin. PSU beat top 5 Michigan on the road in 1994, however, that team finished with 4 losses. Only signature road win during Paterno’s tenure over a team that finished with less than 2 losses was probably Ohio State in 2008. Then, a week later the team shat the bed against Iowa on the road. Lest you forget, Iowa was Penn State’s daddy in the 2000’s.

 

[OKLionFan]

Everyone decries Franklin’s record vs tOSU. I get it. I want to beat them as bad as any of you do. But will anyone on this board please, please name all the big ten coaches with a winning record vs Ohio State in the Franklin era.

 

[PSU4U]

PS? Stop while you’re behind.

Think.

 

[bourbon n blues]

That is definitely fair, and Joe at his peak was one of the best to ever do it. I'm not arguing otherwise.

I'm just going by what we actually have the data to prove. And once Joe joined the Big Ten, we rarely fielded an elite team -- 1994 was really it. Even when we had truly stacked teams, we couldn't win big games. It's not like Joe's teams in the late 90s and 2000s (other than the dark years) had crappy rosters. We had some really solid rosters lay a total egg in big games.

1996 in Columbus and 1997 against Michigan were two games that signaled to me that we had a serious problem with the top of the Big Ten.

In 99 we dropped three games to end the regular season.

 

[bourbon n blues]

Joe went into Columbus and beat a top ranked and a top 5 ranked O$U team.

Frankin?

He went into Purdue?

Wrong, osu was 6 in 1978. So Joe was the favorite in that game.

 

[bourbon n blues]

 

[NittanyIllinois]

In 99 we dropped three games to end the regular season.

Ugh, don't remind me.

In retrospect, that 99 team was overrated from the jump. Electrifying talent on defense, but an offense with Kevin Thompson at QB and no really elite skill players......we were never gonna compete with the likes of FSU that season.

But regardless, yes......the Minnesota loss was the single worst moment of my PSU fandom. And suddenly one loss became three.

That was when I honestly felt it was time for Joe to look at possible retirement. I just felt that we had lost the "it" factor.

 

[bourbon n blues]

Ugh, don't remind me.

In retrospect, that 99 team was overrated from the jump. Electrifying talent on defense, but an offense with Kevin Thompson at QB and no really elite skill players......we were never gonna compete with the likes of FSU that season.

But regardless, yes......the Minnesota loss was the single worst moment of my PSU fandom. And suddenly one loss became three.

That was when I honestly felt it was time for Joe to look at possible retirement. I just felt that we had lost the "it" factor.

He should've have announced prior to the rose bowl . The sympathy factor would've given him championship number 3 and maybe had us better prepared for big ten play.

 

[KnightWhoSaysNit]

View embedded media

That clip really takes me back. As the camera panned to the south it showed where I once lived and worked -- the buildings as they were at the time.

I remember driving to that game from State College on a whim. Bought a ticket just outside the stadium that day.

Loved those white uniforms and especially the helmets. Wish we would go back to those. In fact I wish we would just do away with the blue jerseys all together.

 

[LMTLION]

In 99 we dropped three games to end the regular season.

That was the most devastating season for me because we had great talent that year. Truly that’s when the dark times begin, 1999, not 2000.

 

[PSUCYCLING]

Ugh, don't remind me.

In retrospect, that 99 team was overrated from the jump. Electrifying talent on defense, but an offense with Kevin Thompson at QB and no really elite skill players......we were never gonna compete with the likes of FSU that season.

But regardless, yes......the Minnesota loss was the single worst moment of my PSU fandom. And suddenly one loss became three.

That was when I honestly felt it was time for Joe to look at possible retirement. I just felt that we had lost the "it" factor.

The 1999 team had freshman Larry Johnson (criminally underused), Chafie Fields was a decent WR. I remember the dead silence in the Beav after Minnesota hit the FG to win.

 

[LMTLION]

The 1999 team had freshman Larry Johnson (criminally underused), Chafie Fields was a decent WR. I remember the dead silence in the Beav after Minnesota hit the FG to win.

I was there as well. It was shocking.

 

[heckmans]

That is definitely fair, and Joe at his peak was one of the best to ever do it. I'm not arguing otherwise.

I'm just going by what we actually have the data to prove. And once Joe joined the Big Ten, we rarely fielded an elite team -- 1994 was really it. Even when we had truly stacked teams, we couldn't win big games. It's not like Joe's teams in the late 90s and 2000s (other than the dark years) had crappy rosters. We had some really solid rosters lay a total egg in big games.

1996 in Columbus and 1997 against Michigan were two games that signaled to me that we had a serious problem with the top of the Big Ten.

In the late 90s, many of those teams were elite minus a QB which is obviously a killer. The 99 team was very good...but no QB after Dan Kendra decommitted last minute(FSU) and other QBs had been scared off.

 

[PurposePitch]

JVP was a better coach. The Franklin-type is needed in this era to collect the players, but JVP was a better football coach. It's that simple.

Who cares? He coached a much simpler game in a much simpler time. And any mythology attached to him shouldn't detract from what we currently have ... we have a great coach leading a great program, and we're having fun again as PSU fans.

And if you aren't having fun as a PSU fan, and want to whine, cry, harp on negatives, live in the past and any other sad reflections on your personal state of being, find something else to do ... like stare in the mirror, slap yourself around and yell that you're not worthwhile ... stop taking it out on the PSU football program. Or go buy one of those kiddie football faux-uniforms and run around your backyard pretending to be Cappelletti or Franco.

 

[PurposePitch]

Joe went into Columbus and beat a top ranked and a top 5 ranked O$U team.

Frankin?

He went into Purdue?

Everyone else is grateful for an entertaining program, and they're having fun ... if you aren't, there are plenty of other things to do with your time.

I'm sure there are plenty of clips on the internet, or old DVDs/VHS tapes of JoePa-led PSU games that you can watch on an infinite loop that will make you happy.

We could go undefeated for the next 5 years straight, and folks like you would be saying "oh, fiddlesticks, I don't like their attitude" "oh, fiddlesticks, they don't even have to go to class" "oh, fiddlesticks, something something something" ... because, no matter what, JoePa won't be leading the charge. So just go be in your happy place and let the world move on while you stay behind.

 

[m.knox]

In 99 we dropped three games to end the regular season.

Man, was that disappointing.......

 

[MacNit2.0]

You're talking 2008? The Terrelle Pryor freshman year?

They were #10 nationally. We came in #3. A great win, no doubt. But that OSU team wasn't on par with the OSU teams of the Meyer/Day era. They finished 10-3 that year.

Paterno beat some good OSU teams, and really only one great one -- 2005 (the Tamba Hali game). Otherwise, Tressel had Joe's number.

1978 and the one against TP.

Tell me all about Franklin’s great road wins…

Or even home wins…

Would not even fill a note card.

 

[MacNit2.0]

Everyone else is grateful for an entertaining program, and they're having fun ... if you aren't, there are plenty of other things to do with your time.

I'm sure there are plenty of clips on the internet, or old DVDs/VHS tapes of JoePa-led PSU games that you can watch on an infinite loop that will make you happy.

We could go undefeated for the next 5 years straight, and folks like you would be saying "oh, fiddlesticks, I don't like their attitude" "oh, fiddlesticks, they don't even have to go to class" "oh, fiddlesticks, something something something" ... because, no matter what, JoePa won't be leading the charge. So just go be in your happy place and let the world move on while you stay behind.

I have enjoyed the games.

More fun when you win a few big games.

Just say’n

 

[bcspsu]

Who cares? He coached a much simpler game in a much simpler time. And any mythology attached to him shouldn't detract from what we currently have ... we have a great coach leading a great program, and we're having fun again as PSU fans.

And if you aren't having fun as a PSU fan, and want to whine, cry, harp on negatives, live in the past and any other sad reflections on your personal state of being, find something else to do ... like stare in the mirror, slap yourself around and yell that you're not worthwhile ... stop taking it out on the PSU football program. Or go buy one of those kiddie football faux-uniforms and run around your backyard pretending to be Cappelletti or Franco.

Yeah, the only reason why that game affected me so much is because I believe that PSU now is back at a level of a true top 5 or 6 program; I was so proud at how PSU physically beat another physical team for 3/4 of that game.

When you realize that you’re really good, it just makes the losses that much harder to take., and Franklin has made PSU a really good program. This program is in its best state in the last 30 years.

 

[MacNit2.0]

Everyone decries Franklin’s record vs tOSU. I get it. I want to beat them as bad as any of you do. But will anyone on this board please, please name all the big ten coaches with a winning record vs Ohio State in the Franklin era.

I don’t think anyone is asking for a winning record against O$U.

How about a signature win? Come in prepared, develop a gameplan to outsmart the opponent, play a sound fundamental game, and beat an equal or better opponent. We have done it once under Franklin.

He has never win in that fashion on the road.

He has had 11 years to try.

Does he get 20 years? 30 years?

Or will it never happen?

Not a single coach who could do this?

Marcus Freeman begs to differ…who is coaching Vanderbilt these days? He did it! Almost twice this season alone.