Penn state fires coach

[GaryPinC]

6 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

I understand what you're saying

 

And Jim tressel was a class act and a great coach 

 

I only hope marcus Freeman can have Notre Dame turn the corner like that but I truly don't believe it

They had a great season last year.  I just don't know if the mystique of the program's history and independence still registers as strongly as last century.   Seems fans really identify more with conferences now.

 

Too bad their matchups with Michigan went away, those were some amazing games.

[JimBob2232]

Cant complain with Matt Campbell.

[GaryPinC]

12 hours ago, JimBob2232 said:

Cant complain with Matt Campbell.

Yeah, he's solid, I'm disappointed in his overall bowl record but he has done great work to make Iowa State strong. 

 

I still preferred Chesney.  According to this source he had a great interview at PSU but they were stringing him along as a second tier choice.

https://247sports.com/college/ucla/article/ucla-football-bob-chesney-penn-state-kalani-sitake-264604527/

 

So there's the even bigger problem of AD Kraft.  Firing Franklin mid-season, he deserved to play it out.  Plus, you can take more time on your coaching search.  Pissed off super-agent Sexton, Heupel's comments were very telling about the outside perception. 

 

Then your team members and Micah are making open threats if Smith isn't given the job.  No part of Smith's resume indicates head coach material, so that's the only thing Kraft got right.  But, Campell is somewhat forced to retain Smith as a coach.

 

I would rather they sign Campbell to 6 years at the higher salary but sounds like they will have to go 8 because of this whole mess.

 

Yeah.  Embarrassing,  Kraft.

But so-long, Franklin.   I think VT is a better school fit for him anyways.

[JimBob2232]

2 hours ago, GaryPinC said:

Yeah, he's solid, I'm disappointed in his overall bowl record but he has done great work to make Iowa State strong. 

 

I still preferred Chesney.  According to this source he had a great interview at PSU but they were stringing him along as a second tier choice.

https://247sports.com/college/ucla/article/ucla-football-bob-chesney-penn-state-kalani-sitake-264604527/

 

So there's the even bigger problem of AD Kraft.  Firing Franklin mid-season, he deserved to play it out.  Plus, you can take more time on your coaching search.  Pissed off super-agent Sexton, Heupel's comments were very telling about the outside perception. 

 

Then your team members and Micah are making open threats if Smith isn't given the job.  No part of Smith's resume indicates head coach material, so that's the only thing Kraft got right.  But, Campell is somewhat forced to retain Smith as a coach.

 

I would rather they sign Campbell to 6 years at the higher salary but sounds like they will have to go 8 because of this whole mess.

 

Yeah.  Embarrassing,  Kraft.

But so-long, Franklin.   I think VT is a better school fit for him anyways.

 

I am most of the way there...It became clear Franklin lost the team and was pouting.  He wasn't coming back at that point.  Sounds like him and Kraft had a falling out last offseason - Basically Kraft wanted to go full NIL buying top players; Franklin wanted to pay his guys and not pay for recruits and transfer guys.  Franklin won.  Big money spent on DC Knowles.  BIG money to Allar, Singleton and Allen.   Inexplicable money to people like Liam Clifford and Dom Deluca (500k each).  Refused to play young players....Then the team crapped the bed...and (im assuming) Kraft went into - "I told you so" mode...and everything was lost.  

 

It had to happen - as sad as it is/was.   2 good years at VT and he will leave for the first opening at Florida/FSU/Miami.

 

For sure - Kraft has botched this search, but he landed in a great spot.  However, Campbell on 24 Nov is MUCH MUCH better than Campbell on 5 Dec...but it is what it is.  Sitake was never coming here.  DeBoer was (apparently) interested (despite what he says publicly) - but the win over Auburn and making the championship game killed that.  Kraft let this play out too long - and pissed off Sexton.  Thats not great.  But money talks. Especially to Agents. Sexton will be fine.  

 

Re: Smith - He was always going to stay.  Dude is more Penn State than anyone.  We need the continuity and his recruiting.  I think it will be fine.  

 

Re: 8 years - meh...  The devil is in the buyout terms.  Even then, Franklins $59M buyout became $9 after he took the VT Job.  

 

Heupel isn't worth a response.  I've hated Tennessee since that crap they pulled with Schiano.  I'll just add his ignorant comments to my list.

 

Im really excited to see what Campbell can do with a $30M NIL budget and the ability to attract 4 and 5 star players.   There needs to be a "you're all in - our you are out" conversation with existing players.  Cant have the resentment on "Not Terry" percolate.  Terry is uniquely positioned to help there.  Hopefully they can keep young studs like Koby Howard and Chaz Coleman.  Howard specifically was held back by Franklin - so he is probably less inclined to go to VT.  Not sure what they will do at QB.  I prefer Grunkemeyer...but I can see Rocco Becht come over from ISU as well.  

 

Should be a fun next 30-60 days - then see where they land roster wise.

Edited 2 hours ago by JimBob2232

[GaryPinC]

56 minutes ago, JimBob2232 said:

 

I am most of the way there...It became clear Franklin lost the team and was pouting.  He wasn't coming back at that point.  Sounds like him and Kraft had a falling out last offseason - Basically Kraft wanted to go full NIL buying top players; Franklin wanted to pay his guys and not pay for recruits and transfer guys.  Franklin won.  Big money spent on DC Knowles.  BIG money to Allar, Singleton and Allen.   Inexplicable money to people like Liam Clifford and Dom Deluca (500k each).  Refused to play young players....Then the team crapped the bed...and (im assuming) Kraft went into - "I told you so" mode...and everything was lost.  

 

It had to happen - as sad as it is/was.   2 good years at VT and he will leave for the first opening at Florida/FSU/Miami.

 

For sure - Kraft has botched this search, but he landed in a great spot.  However, Campbell on 24 Nov is MUCH MUCH better than Campbell on 5 Dec...but it is what it is.  Sitake was never coming here.  DeBoer was (apparently) interested (despite what he says publicly) - but the win over Auburn and making the championship game killed that.  Kraft let this play out too long - and pissed off Sexton.  Thats not great.  But money talks. Especially to Agents. Sexton will be fine.  

 

Re: Smith - He was always going to stay.  Dude is more Penn State than anyone.  We need the continuity and his recruiting.  I think it will be fine.  

 

Re: 8 years - meh...  The devil is in the buyout terms.  Even then, Franklins $59M buyout became $9 after he took the VT Job.  

 

Heupel isn't worth a response.  I've hated Tennessee since that crap they pulled with Schiano.  I'll just add his ignorant comments to my list.

 

Im really excited to see what Campbell can do with a $30M NIL budget and the ability to attract 4 and 5 star players.   There needs to be a "you're all in - our you are out" conversation with existing players.  Cant have the resentment on "Not Terry" percolate.  Terry is uniquely positioned to help there.  Hopefully they can keep young studs like Koby Howard and Chaz Coleman.  Howard specifically was held back by Franklin - so he is probably less inclined to go to VT.  Not sure what they will do at QB.  I prefer Grunkemeyer...but I can see Rocco Becht come over from ISU as well.  

 

Should be a fun next 30-60 days - then see where they land roster wise.

What do you mean by Campbell being much better on 11/24 compared to 12/5?

 

Great points and I pretty much agree with you, going with Allar again was a big problem for me.  He's just another Hackenberg, just doesn't process the game at a higher level.  Hopefully Campbell recruits QB's better.

 

Re Smith:  they said the same thing about Larry Johnson, so I never assume.  But yeah, if he stays he can smooth things back over.

 

 

[JimBob2232]

1 hour ago, GaryPinC said:

What do you mean by Campbell being much better on 11/24 compared to 12/5?

 

Great points and I pretty much agree with you, going with Allar again was a big problem for me.  He's just another Hackenberg, just doesn't process the game at a higher level.  Hopefully Campbell recruits QB's better.

 

Re Smith:  they said the same thing about Larry Johnson, so I never assume.  But yeah, if he stays he can smooth things back over.

 

 

I think if you hired Campbell on 11/24 - there would have been a chance to cull the mass defections to VT, and especially WV.  And it would have looked like Matt Campbell was their first choice instead of their 10th.  Kraft would look like much less of a buffoon. 

Edited 3 minutes ago by JimBob2232