Home Freaking Run

[KirkHerbstreit]

Let me just say I really liked Bill O'Brien as a coach. I always will. That guy was the perfect hire at the perfect time. But, I am absolutely stoked about this James Franklin hire. He can stay 3 years for all I care, but this guy just has the IT factor. I think recruiting will be through the roof and really has the chance to make Penn State an elite team prior to leaving. If you want to get a good feel for the type of coach Franklin is, watch these Vanderbilt revealed videos. The fact that he led Vanderbilt to the second best record in the SEC over the past 2 years is amazing. It's Vanderbilt. They don't win. Vanderbilt's average recruiting ranking prior to Franklin was 71st in the nation. His last two classes are ranked 19th and 23rd. Can't wait to see this guy get started.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... ealed&sm=3

[Eaglealum]

Just watched the presser, just to let coach Franklin know, I have eligibility left.... Lol ... He's gonna do well

[Crimson's Ghost]

I personally think it's a good hire for you guys. I said that weeks ago he was the guy they needed to go after.


Now that it's wrapped up, I can only hope he goes 0-12 next season.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Next year will be a tough year. I think 7-5 would be good. The recruiting class is what I will be watching. He says he wants to dominate PA and the region. The way he works, speaks, and relates to kids I think he will. I think the biggest difference between Obrien and Franklin is how hard Franklin wants to do the extra things that it take to be a college coach. Speaking engagements, working with high school coaches, and being part of the community. O'Brien did those things, but wanted to be an X's and O's guy. Franklin embraces them. I think Franklin will sell Penn State to parents as the best opportunity for kids in the state.

[Crimson's Ghost]

For most kids in PA, it's going to be Pitt, Penn State, and Ohio State with a few guest appearances here and there.

Offensively, it's no secret Pitt is looking for pro style, power running game type kids. Urban runs his spread.


What exactly is Franklin's style? I see Vanderbilt ran the ball.

[KirkHerbstreit]

I said this before but Pitt fans should feel lucky that Penn State allowed Paterno to coach as long as he did. Recruiting became much easier. Paterno did not recruit other than by name. He expected kids to just come to Penn State. His staff followed suit. Outside of Johnson and Vanderlinden, the staff was lazy. That changed when O'Brien became coach, but even he saw room for improvement when he fired coaches at the end of the year. This new staff will be relentless. It was at Vanderbilt. They won't stop.

As for Franklin's system, I believe he is the type of coach who will adjust to what he has. At Vandy, he ran pro formations along with the spread. A smart coach does not pigeonhole himself into one system. He is a QB himself. He likes to throw the ball if he has a qb to do so. This year Vandy had some QB injuries and he adjusted the system accordingly.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Tom Bradley didn't recruit at all? They always made it seem like he was the lead guy for Terrelle Pryor.


I'm not at all worried about Pitt in the recruiting department for offense, as I can tell already Chryst, Rudolph, Bollinger, and Engram know what they are doing. Defensively is where the recruiting efforts and the pressure of Urban Meyer and James Franklin is where Pitt is going to get rocked. Hell, look at Michigan State the past two years coming in and getting 4 star DBs from the WPIAL. Pitt needs to hire a coordinator or that's where Franklin will dominate PA. Pitt still has a chance to get a leg up and win 8-9 games the next 2 years while the sanctions are on still.

Either way, 2016 should be fun. Perhaps both Chryst and Franklin will still be wearing headsets for Pitt and PSU.

[bleacherbum]

Franklin's buyout:
2014: 5,000,000
2015: 5,000,000
2016: 2,500,000
2017: 2,000,000
2018: 1,000,000
2019: 1,000,000

Good thing for PSU fans it's his dream job.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Ah, the big buyout! A West Virginia fan's worst nightmare. LOL.

[GreenMachine]

For most kids in PA, it's going to be Pitt, Penn State, and Ohio State with a few guest appearances here and there.

For MOST kids in PA it's STILL going to be Penn State, Pitt, then the randoms that come in here and there...Let's be serious here Shittsburgh will never be the leading destination for players coming out of PA. You'll get your few players here and there out of the WPIAL area that want to stay "home" still. But thats literally where it ends. Pitt doesn't get anything east of Johnstown and if they do it's gonna be 2 stars or lower for sure ha ha