No one actually asked in the Mailbag, but I feel we should address it: Who should Penn State hire? – BRT
BRT: I truly do not know, since I don’t research and understand college football like one commenter here. I really hope it’s not Matt Rhule. And, much as I like Rhule, I don’t think that would be an amazing hire for PSU either. The problem that PSU (may) have is that when you fire someone mid-season with that level of success, you really need to hit a home run with the hire. But there aren’t that many
home run hires in CFB, and the ones who are, mostly are already at successful, rich programs. So how do you get them to come to Penn State instead? It’s not impossible, especially since money talks, and most coaches have healthy egos and totally believe they can be “the guy.” But Penn State is a crazy-demanding fanbase to please, and may not see their own situation completely clearly.
misdreavus79: I don’t know the name of who Penn State should hire. And not to belabor the point, but yes, the idea is that you’ll want someone with higher highs than James Franklin had. Now, given how life works, usually that means lower lows. Urban Meyer won a national title at Ohio State. He also got blown out by Purdue and Iowa in back to back years. Hell, he got worked, at home, by would-be 7-5 Virginia Tech the season he won the title! Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame humming, but can’t seem to stop himself from losing to G5 teams (or worse). I guess Kirby Smart doesn’t lose to shitty teams, but you get the point.
The one thing I will say, however, is that there’s an ease with which we now look at Franklin’s overall tenure, but let’s not forget how many years I’ve spent defending him around these parts every time someone said he sucks. That “he sucks” feeling y’all had before Sunday, that’s the reason he’s now gone. Even if all we end up is white James Franklin (because we all know they’re not going to hire another black guy), the clock needed to reset for everyone, including James.
One more thing: of the current AP top 10, five coaches were assistants prior to taking their current head coaching jobs: Dan Lanning, the aforementioned Marcus Freeman, Kirby Smart, Joey McGuire, and Ryan Day. One more, Curt Cignetti, was a head coach at a G5 program before taking over a P4 gig. That means only four out of the current top 10 were coaches who already had P4 head coaching experience before landing at their current spot. So Penn State doesn’t need to go for the proven commodity at the top. They can go for the proven commodity waiting in the wings.
Larry31: As BRT and misdreavus alluded to, who the hell is going to want to come to coach Penn State after Franklin got fired for losing three games in a row after narrowly missing the CFCG last year? Clearly, you’re walking into a situation with already tenuous job security. But, it’s Penn State, and there are plenty of competent coaches who will gladly take money from Penn State to coach one or two years and then get paid to not coach Penn State, like Franklin. They’ll find someone decent. Matt Rhule or Matt Campbell.
BoilerUp89: I’m completely unbiased here. I think they should hire Cignetti.
HoustonBoiler: I’m not a competent football coach but I would like to be paid millions to coach at Penn State and a short time later even more millions to not coach at Penn State. A little more seriously, I’m with BU89, Penn State should hire Curt Cignetti.
And then, who should Penn State hire? (Wrong Answers Only) – BRT
BRT: Mike Riley
Misdreavus79: IDK my BFF Jill?
Larry31: Brent Pry or Bill Belichek. Or stick with tradition and hire Vandy head coach, Clark Lea..
BoilerUp89: Ryan Walters
HoustonBoiler: Darrell Hazell
I’ve seen this on the margins but don’t think it gets the level of attention it should: Will Penn State be the next Nebraska? Nebraska’s consistent 9-3 records under Pellini weren’t “good enough” for what the fanbase and admin thought they should be, and Nebraska has spent over a decade plus in the wilderness just trying to reclaim 9-3 again.
Riley and Frost didn’t work for UNL, and I’m not sold on Rhule. What makes Penn State think they can just hire a new coach and get to that fabled “elite” status they’re chasing? Are the two situations incomparable b/c now PSU has the portal to pilfer? – Crunkedatthe1800Club
BRT: I really, really hope so. 🙂 Probably it doesn’t mean that, because we’re in a dark timeline right now. But yeah, when you have a lot of entitlement and success and combine it with the inherent riskiness that is any HC hire, there’s certainly a chance. Someone in the mailbag call said the really interesting question is who they hire in 3-5 years when the new guy flames out, which made me laugh. From our fingertips to God’s ears, right?
misdreavus79: There’s risk in living. The people who don’t take risks usually are the ones who regret having not lived life. Letting fear paralyze progress because it might be hard is no way to live. It had become clear that Franklin had a ceiling. And sure, in order to show humbleness I should be content with that ceiling, or something to that effect.
At the same time, if you’re looking to compete for national titles, and it’s clear that the current person in charge isn’t going to get you in that position, what’s the point in waiting until it all falls apart to make a change? Yes, it could all go terribly wrong and Penn State could flame out. But it could also change nothing, and Penn State stays exactly where they’ve been for the past 12 years. Or, who knows, they get it right and Penn State breaks through. There are three possible outcomes, not just one. And two of those are perfectly acceptable.
Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind our Nebraska contingent that you reminded us many times that firing Pelini wasn’t the problem. Hiring Riley was. Well, let’s hope Penn State doesn’t hire their own Riley.
BRT: I might need to see some receipts that I said that, especially “many times.”
Larry31: If you want to hear YES!!! Look at Nebraska. If you want to hear “Nah, bitch.” Look at Indiana and Curt Cignetti. Most likely outcome? Look at Alabama 1997-2007. After Gene Stallings, it was 10 years and 3 coaches of buffoonery until they landed Nick Saban, and then ass-kickery commenced.
BoilerUp89: I doubt it. Penn State maintains built in recruiting advantages that Nebraska doesn’t have. I don’t know that the new hire will do any better than Franklin but a complete collapse feels less likely.
HoustonBoiler: Hiring a football coach is a crap shoot in that you really don’t know what you’re going to receive. You might hit the jackpot, but then again you might not. Plus, you might have to endure some pain first. For examples, see Curt Cignetti (jackpot), Scott Frost (bust), Jim Harbaugh (pain first then jackpot), and Luke Fickell (looking like bust).
Have we discussed the Hoosiers adding a Bison mascot? Why? How does this make any sense? Should we be laughing at them, or fearing some new Ralphie style entrance in the future? – GTom
BRT: I mean, it’s better than an inflatable toddler, so go off, I guess. I hope they piss off NDSU and insist that “it’s pronounced bi-Son!” I’d have liked to see them stick more explicitly with the Hoosier theme – what if they were an anthropomorphized Hoosier cabinet? Heavy and immovable, and certainly unique.
misdreavus79: I have no opinions on Indiana’s mascot.
BoilerUp89: Indiana previously had a Bison mascot a long, long time ago. This one looks better and it’s a fun nod to that history. More specifically it calls attention to bison restoration efforts in Indiana and the reintroduction of them to the state. 10/10
HoustonBoiler: I will echo BU89 and add that the Bison is a huge upgrade over Mr. Hoosier Pride.
We’re all sick of IU winning, right? – glassjawed
misdreauvs79: Why would I be sick of their winning? Their winning will affect me one time this season, then my life will be unchanged.
BRT: They haven’t been good long enough to annoy me yet, and Nebraska happily doesn’t play them this year. So I’m still enjoying the Cinderella story of it all. I’m sure they’ll be annoying soon enough.
Larry31: Indnia has been so bad for so long, they are still seen as underdogs. Think I’m lyin’? Tell me you’re not rooting for Indiana if they play Death Star in the B1G CG.
BoilerUp89: If they spend less $ on basketball I can tolerate it.
HoustonBoiler: Meh. Given IU’s blighted football history, I can endure IU having a brief moment in the sun.
Cookies or Brownies? – HoustonBoiler
misdreavus79: Neither.
Larry31: Somehow misdreavus landed on the only wrong answer. #MAHA?
BRT: That’s why misdreavus looks like he does, and Larry and I look like we do.
BoilerUp89: Yes
BRT: Both. But neither should have nuts.
HoustonBoiler: I have a slight preference for cookies, but will gladly devour both, particularly if they’re freshly baked.
