Yes, we all know that Bill O’Brien has left Penn State after two years.
Yes, this was a devastating piece on some of the things behind his departure by David Jones. Penn State has a particularly virulent, nasty and visible group that has been able to gain extra influence. At the same time there is no major (and most minor ones) college program that doesn’t have a batshit crazy wing of fans/boosters. It’s really only a question of how much noise and influence they have.
Those are Penn State’s problems. How they deal or ignore their problems are something about which I don’t care to waste my time.
As a Pitt fan my concern is purely about self-interest.
The first thought turns to recruiting. Penn State made the smart move to make Larry Johnson, Sr. the interim head coach. He has no shot at the job. He has no real power. What he will do is help hold together the recruiting class until they hire a new coach. Johnson is their ace recruiter. He will certainly be on the staff for the next coach.
Here’s Penn State’s current recruiting class. First thing that jumps out is that there are only three recruits from Pennsylvania in that 19-man class, and only one from Western Pennsylvania (WR Troy Apke). I’m not sure that Pitt will be able to flip many of these recruits.
Pitt has been very poor in recruiting New Jersey in the last few years. Some because of Pitt’s own upheaval. Yet, despite changes at Rutgers and PSU as well, Pitt has only one recruit from NJ in last three years. Penn State has four kids in the class from New Jersey.
It would be nice to grab a couple of the PSU commits — especially on defense. I just don’t know what kind of groundwork was in place with the kids. Their best defensive commit — Thomas Holley a 4-star DT from Brooklyn, NY — just chose PSU over Florida.
As for who PSU might hire, this seems like the ideal.
But in reality, the names rumored are about what you would expect: Mike Munchak, Al Golden, Greg Schiano and James Franklin.
There is a lot of skepticism that Al Golden would leave Miami after already having weathered the sanctions in Miami to do it again in Penn State.
There has been plenty of buzz that Greg Schiano was the focus for Penn State. A move that would freak out Rutgers more than Pitt. Schiano was a pretty good recruiter in New Jersey.
Now in an ideal world, PSU reacts accordingly by seeking a “Penn State guy.” That the administration bows to fan howling of wanting a guy that wants to be at Penn State. That is of Penn State. That won’t leave them. That leads them to hire Mike Munchak. He just screams 7-5.
James Franklin would be the inspired choice. Franklin is also a hot name. He’s rumored to be in the mix for the Texas job. He could wait a year for Florida. I imagine Maryland fans would be very upset if this one happened.
The one thing to point out. It isn’t nearly as easy as it used to be to hire a coach already at a place. The money is big everywhere. More and more coaches look at the entire package. Can they win bigger than where they are at? What’s in place? We’ve seen Michigan, Tennessee and UCLA all struggle to get their guy. Usually having to go through a couple options. Despite having the money, facilities and history.
that tells me that it will be schiano or that they are smokeing good stuff and they are wackey becuse no big time coach will come that quick it will drag on for weeks unless it ie schiano or a coach from the mac or some one like bradley.
so i hope they told him that the outher kid will be a SF bye 2016.
even if franklin would go there which i think he wont he would want to see how the texas coach search went first as he is in line for that plus the NFL browns want to talk to him.
so there is no way he would go to penn state in a few days. so it will be schiano or it will take longer then they think
Go Pitt.
Why would an NFlL coach want to return to a college
team? All of these guys must hate chasing 18 year old
kids who hold a news conference and do the hat
thing. In addition to having a recruit’s mother comment
on defensive strategy.
Disappointed if they got Golden. He’d be in for the long haul and set up camp.
Franklin, eh, he’s good I guess, but it would just be another 2 years or so until he wanted to go somewhere else. Wouldn’t be there long.
Probably won’t be any of these, but would be sweet if it was someone the base didn’t want.
I can name that tune, in 2 notes Tom!!
Seriously, the Pittsburgh Media has failed again to report how many coaches PSU has gone through in two years. (Paterno, Bradley, O’Brien, Johnson). That is four. The 5th is on the way. That is why I don’t pay for local newspapers. The bias is incredibly slanted, which is surprising. One would think that Pederson would have those old-timer reporters out on the course schmoozing, but they caught on to him long ago. He is bad news!
Great to see TD in the Nissan hall of fame house commercials sporting the old jersey! Pederson needs to take a hint. Congrats to Jamie on a good lean! Hopefully we get one of the big guys too!
It’s an outrage!
Make up your mind. This corporate crap has gotten out of control.
Too bad that game couldn’t have ended in a tie.
Can’t stand either coach or university.
Bumpkin U for both fits.
Anyway the uppers on these things are still in perfect condition, however the soles have disengaged themselves from the rest of the shoe.
Flap, flap, flap. So since it was only one, I said f it. Then the whole back piece of the sole just fell out. These things were not cheap.
Garbage, I’ll never buy anymore nike crap ever again. Made in China naturally. And most if not all China stuff is garbage.
Also Michael Jordan (who’s worth 100’s of millions) should divest himself of nike. He has plenty of money forever, his kids never have to work and might save a few lives of kids who kill eachother to own a pair of his crap shoes.
Rant over.
Made in America !!!
link to newbalance.com
All joking aside, that was a great football game.
All four and five stars do look different than what we have been fielding.
Not since Johnny and Jackie have we played in that league.
Defense and recruiting matters, I hope our coaches were watching.
Big Time Football.
i guess he will look at outher schools now good anything that is bad for penn state is good.
i hope they lose more commits.
Why do some of you care about the
clothes a coach wears??? It is bizarre
What a shame that his coaching career has been put on hiatus due to the PSU scandal. He is an unbelievably talented guy, who obviously can communicate and coach at the highest levels.
He is extremely well liked and well thought of even by the opposition. A great recruiter.
Too bad no one is able to look past his perceived association with a very sick situation.
Collateral damage, what a waste.
Today’s offenses are so good that the only way to stop them is with turnovers. Pressure on the QB is where it all starts. House, are you paying attention?
Did you see what Michigan State’s defensive line did to Stanford?
We need bigger, badder, faster players, go get some!
Golden would be crazy to leave Miami. Charlie Strong built a pretty good team with Miami’s leftovers.
You are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.
Again, I don’t disagree with your opinion at all, in fact I think Corbett should be investigated for how long it took to bring charges.
Joel it is pretty obvious that PSU had to go in a new direction, that is why they didn’t hire him.
If you guys know something I don’t know regarding his guilt, let’s hear it.
And Spirit, who do you take a less understanding position than? The coach who saw it going on reported it and has testified about it.
I offer no mercy to anyone. You only need mercy if you are guilty of something. I ask again, what is Bradley guilty of?
we are toast as far as receuiting goes he is as good at recruiting as they come.
if chryst and franklin want the same kid franklin will crush chryst.
he will put a fence around pa and we will be outside looking in.
dont know why he would go there but if he does it will to bad for us till he leaves.
Chryst needs to win for a couple of years before he can compete with the big dogs. Did win a few this year. Chris James, Grimm, Bookser, need more, love to see Jennings on the other side from Boyd.
and the so called best college coaching job will have to settle for sloopy seconds and look like fools. way to go texas.
and they say miami is strongs dream job.
and louisville pays there coach big bucks, so just saying texas needs to move fast or look like fools
the ucla coach has allready turned texas down.