Several things have bothered me about Franklin's early comments and actions, which seem connected to yesterday's play.
He came in (over) emphasizing facilities upgrade (just like his predecessor) and recruiting ranking, and professing staff loyalty.
He was quoted several times stating coaching is easier with better players. Isn't what is easier the core of his and his staff's job...to coach players up, be them 1 or 4 star?
Would he or his staff ever recruit another Urschel type for Penn State?
How many non-Penn State targets handed Penn State their lunch yesterday?
While I applaud his feelings on loyalty, which can have positive results with both players and staff, there has to be reasonable expectations.
Even after factoring in depth and experience, aside from a few drives or quarters where everything clicked, the OL and QB positions have shown limited capabilities well below expectations. The play of the two may be connected.
One inference is the quality of coaching.
The resume of the OL coach includes Vandy OL Wesley Johnson and Steeler 2014 5th round draft pick (who is not on their current roster). Supposed early film study with Penn State players involved tapes of his play at Vandy.
The resume of the QB coach includes former Kansas State QB Josh Freeman, drafter on potential and recently cut for lack of realizing potential.
While BOB and even Joe had their own loyalty issues, their teams' performance given the balanced objectives of athletics and academics more than met reasonable expectations, at least in the long term.
While giving them some room, Joe was very hands on with his staff, especially during the game.
College football is a lot about execution, of plan and adjustment.
I hope we haven't got a coach who wasn't good enough to play at Penn State, was given the chance to, but was not good enough to coach successfully at Penn State. The market for coaching can be speculative, with the tendency to infer success where a coach was and project that and desired qualities (in Penn State's age, energy, appeal) to the likelihood of success where they may go. I like a lot of what Coach Franklin is doing. I just think some of what he is doing cuts into what he should be doing. He may not be interested in the other things. I don't think BOB was much interested in coaching defense, which was why he gave the defensive coordinator reins over to someone who was dreadfully under qualified.
He came in (over) emphasizing facilities upgrade (just like his predecessor) and recruiting ranking, and professing staff loyalty.
He was quoted several times stating coaching is easier with better players. Isn't what is easier the core of his and his staff's job...to coach players up, be them 1 or 4 star?
Would he or his staff ever recruit another Urschel type for Penn State?
How many non-Penn State targets handed Penn State their lunch yesterday?
While I applaud his feelings on loyalty, which can have positive results with both players and staff, there has to be reasonable expectations.
Even after factoring in depth and experience, aside from a few drives or quarters where everything clicked, the OL and QB positions have shown limited capabilities well below expectations. The play of the two may be connected.
One inference is the quality of coaching.
The resume of the OL coach includes Vandy OL Wesley Johnson and Steeler 2014 5th round draft pick (who is not on their current roster). Supposed early film study with Penn State players involved tapes of his play at Vandy.
The resume of the QB coach includes former Kansas State QB Josh Freeman, drafter on potential and recently cut for lack of realizing potential.
While BOB and even Joe had their own loyalty issues, their teams' performance given the balanced objectives of athletics and academics more than met reasonable expectations, at least in the long term.
While giving them some room, Joe was very hands on with his staff, especially during the game.
College football is a lot about execution, of plan and adjustment.
I hope we haven't got a coach who wasn't good enough to play at Penn State, was given the chance to, but was not good enough to coach successfully at Penn State. The market for coaching can be speculative, with the tendency to infer success where a coach was and project that and desired qualities (in Penn State's age, energy, appeal) to the likelihood of success where they may go. I like a lot of what Coach Franklin is doing. I just think some of what he is doing cuts into what he should be doing. He may not be interested in the other things. I don't think BOB was much interested in coaching defense, which was why he gave the defensive coordinator reins over to someone who was dreadfully under qualified.
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