What does the timing of the hiring of Kirk Ciarrocca mean to you? *
- Thread starter ChiTownLion
- Start date
... that we had an open position and it was a good time to do it.....lol
Franklin recognizes he needs an OC that can get the most out of his players, specifically in the QB room.
I appreciate the respect Fleck had during this process. He’s a bit over the top for me, but feel he gets it. He’s doing well
I don’t see anyone on our roster that’s going to beat out Clifford
I like this hire more than any.....
he saw first hand that he inherited a RB room that is faster than most receiver rooms
and a RB room that is stronger than most LB rooms....
He has to be a happy man.
Last edited:
Nobody on our roster could be any worse than Clifford today. He was simply awful .
No one has seen what Roberson or Johnson can do....
That has been my concern....not that he is not bright but that he does get over hyped and lost between split decisions at times. I think all three QBs behind him have enormous potential. Gonna be fun next year.
I’m intrigued by Johnson but surprised he wasn’t the one to get in vs Rutgers so who knows
It means a deal came together and contracts were signed. Timing?? What time would have been better??
Sure seem to be allusions to 2020 being a special year, both from players but also in coach speak from Franklin. Seems like he feels they're on cusp and doesn't want a hire that will be too disruptive.
Seems like the hire leaked out since it was a Minnesota paper that broke the story. Made me wonder if they wanted to announce after the bowl?
Seems like the hire leaked out since it was a Minnesota paper that broke the story. Made me wonder if they wanted to announce after the bowl?
Well if we are talking next year I seriously doubt a guy who has played one college down will be leading us to a national championship. I believe that was the concern about Clifford
Making it a harder decision for KJ to go pro with all the success the OC has had with WRs this year.
However, unlikely to have much impact on KJ's decision IMO.
However, unlikely to have much impact on KJ's decision IMO.
Our passing scheme was pedestrian. Our QB regressed. Bowen worried me today with his 3rd quarter play calling (2 straight passes to start our drive after the running game couldn't be stopped), but Clifford completely bungled the INT (poor read, terrible pass that KJ couldn't have caught).
Additionally, Clifford with 13 rushes today. I don't care about his 40 time, it's NOT his forte. He's coming off injury. The RT couldn't block without holding. If you think Clifford is the key to '20, why not let Levis command the O some today?
Wut? We needed an OC and Franklin hired one.
Franklin needs to make some additional coaching changes in the coming weeks IMHO. Regardless of substitution packages, all of Terry Smith's players were lost today.
Franklin needs to make some additional coaching changes in the coming weeks IMHO. Regardless of substitution packages, all of Terry Smith's players were lost today.
The season was great overall. Looking at what needs to improve, it's the passing game on both sides of the ball, clearly this team's achilles heel.
On defense I don't know if it's Pry or Smith but someone needs to be accountable. If it's just the players making mental errors then something is wrong with how they practice, and that's a coaching responsibility. It isn't lost on me that when the defense needs to play because the offense isn't, then more defensive players need to swap in/out, and that can make communication more difficult.
On offense I don't know if it was Limegrover or Rahne but our pass blocking has been an issue. We could not block screens (nor defend them) and Clifford was often pressured in games while our opponent's QB's could sit back and cherry pick. To not double Chase Young was mind-numbing. Early in the season these shortcomings left Clifford to get beat up and now we see what was once a great passing prospect struggle, just like Trace struggled in his final year.
This team is loaded with talent and great prospects, with more on the way. I am thrilled with the OC choice and hope it will bend Franklin's overall philosophy a little towards my own (bias).
Franklin has done a great job putting together a team with high level potential. For that I'll give him some slack for the clock management mistakes. I think he's smart but tends to get a little emotional, which clouds judgement when a quick decision needs to be made. On the other hand, if the tradeoff is that his players are more motivated, I'll take it as an overall gain.
On defense I don't know if it's Pry or Smith but someone needs to be accountable. If it's just the players making mental errors then something is wrong with how they practice, and that's a coaching responsibility. It isn't lost on me that when the defense needs to play because the offense isn't, then more defensive players need to swap in/out, and that can make communication more difficult.
On offense I don't know if it was Limegrover or Rahne but our pass blocking has been an issue. We could not block screens (nor defend them) and Clifford was often pressured in games while our opponent's QB's could sit back and cherry pick. To not double Chase Young was mind-numbing. Early in the season these shortcomings left Clifford to get beat up and now we see what was once a great passing prospect struggle, just like Trace struggled in his final year.
This team is loaded with talent and great prospects, with more on the way. I am thrilled with the OC choice and hope it will bend Franklin's overall philosophy a little towards my own (bias).
Franklin has done a great job putting together a team with high level potential. For that I'll give him some slack for the clock management mistakes. I think he's smart but tends to get a little emotional, which clouds judgement when a quick decision needs to be made. On the other hand, if the tradeoff is that his players are more motivated, I'll take it as an overall gain.
Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely thrilled with the hiring of Kirk Ciarrocca. But the longer it played out, the more it made me think CJF was targeting someone in the NFL/NCAA playoffs. And then to announce Ciarrocca on that random day, it doesn't really add up. I know PSU was competing with Texas (and others) for the services of KC, so maybe that was the hold-up.
Joe Brady was the obvious "splash hire," but he didn't have a proven track record beyond the passing of Joe Burrow. CJF said he wanted a proven play caller which makes me wonder if Brady was ever a serious candidate.
Regardless, I can't wait to see this offense next year, but it is really shaping up to be paramount that we really start clicking as soon as possible with our front-loaded schedule:
Kent State
Virginia Tech
San Jose State
Northwestern
Iowa
Michigan
Ohio State
Indiana
Nebraska
Michigan State
Maryland
Rutgers
A
anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
Guest
Once again a gauntlet in October. at Michigan, Ohio State, at Indiana (this will be a dog fight) and then another road game to Nebraska. The Huskers have not been the same for years but winning in Lincoln after the three previous tests could be a challenge especially if we are banged up. Kent State has some talent to start more so than Idaho and a trip to Blacksburg in week 2 we had better be clicking.
Our team next season might be better but with that schedule 11-2 might be our upside again.
Our team next season might be better but with that schedule 11-2 might be our upside again.
It appears that "some people" who "look like" Midnighter ( ;-) ) haven't been paying attention. CJF said in one of his interviews that he wasn't expecting so many people to be tracking the flights of private jets from University Park. Right here on this board, we flagged a trip to Minneapolis as well as another to Indianapolis.
Hmmmm.
CJF could have hired Kirk Ciarrocca a while ago, I PRESUME, unless KC insisted on speaking with Texas last weekend to leverage the PSU offer. Unless CJF himself was waiting on other candidates, perhaps.
FWIW, I spoke with a good number of "fans" before the hiring who expressed their desire for Kirk Ciarrocca's proven track record with a high floor + high ceiling over the flash in the pan, Joe Brady. I agree with them, but would love to see Joe Brady come back to Penn State one day. But you can't pay someone $1,600,000 without any experience calling plays, IMHO. Emphasis on IMHO.
Last edited:
Yeah exactly. It means Franklin hired an OC he likes and got to meet the players and watch them in the bowl game. Sounds like a good idea to me.
Well I think your opinion about Ciarroca vs Brady is spot on.
I have gave Clifford enough time and from what I have seen he is not the answer. An average QB. A concern for 2020. I believe if Fields came to Penn State like he was suppose to it would be us in the CFP not Ohio State. That's how much of a difference QB's make. Heck we would have done better with Memphis's QB today.
Your instinct is shared by hundreds of thousands of LSU fans who absolutely knew Joe Burrow was the problem last year.
Not saying you're wrong, but eager to see what Kirk Ciarrocca can do with Sean Clifford next year. Did you see Sean's quote about wanting to make a quantum leap in the offseason like Joe Burrow?
This DUDE. Is willing. To WORK.
Personally, I've been sold on Sean Clifford as the right choice to lead this Penn State football program over the likes of No. 1 overall recruit QB Hunter Johnson (who signed with Clemson and transferred to Northwstern) for several years now.
After his junior season in HS, Clifford's coach said Sean was the best college prospect that he'd ever seen in his 30-year-whatever career of coaching HS football in Ohio, and he predicted that Sean would go down as the greatest player to ever come through the program at powerhouse St. Xavier.
Just wait to see what this kid Sean Clifford can do with Kirk Ciarrocca's tactical advantage and hopefully KJ Hamler back at his disposal.
