Franklin gets dreaded vote of confidence from PSU AD

Submitted by Go Blue in NC on

As the title states, James Franklin received the dreaded vote of confidence from PSU AD Sandy Barbour. While she insists that Franklin "is not on the hot seat and won't be on the hot seat in December," I'm not too sure I believe that with PSU yet to play MSU or OSU this season, despite his steep $12 million buyout. Link? Link: http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17668781/penn-state-coach-james-franklin-receives-vote-confidence-athletic-director-sandy-barbour

FrankMurphy

September 29th, 2016 at 3:51 PM ^

True, but Riley wasn't fired. It's hard to go straight from being fired to landing a head coaching job at a program of the same caliber as the one that fired you. Mark Richt-to-Miami type situations are rare (and Richt was helped by the fact that he's a Miami alum). I could see Miles being interested in a head coaching gig at a Power 5 school with a lot less pressure and located in the conference and region to which he traces his roots. 

Perkis-Size Me

September 29th, 2016 at 4:57 PM ^

Miles could actually make Purdue a very good program. And there's a lot less stress there to compete for national titles. In fact, there is zero stress there to compete for those types of things.

I don't see him coaching for too much longer, but he's probably got another 5-6 years, and Purdue has some history of fielding good teams.

I doubt it happens, but I'd welcome it. Would be another very good coach for the Big Ten to have, and it would definitely up the conference profile.



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NittanyFan

September 29th, 2016 at 3:47 PM ^

Take a MAC job --- definitely lower stress and he'd probably enjoy it, as well as be successful.

Miami University: they have history but they have been a pretty big mess for ~5 years now.  Why not if/when they fire Chuck Martin after this season?

62 isn't that old, of course, but it is the back half of his career. 

Mr Miggle

September 29th, 2016 at 5:29 PM ^

But I think Les wants to go somewhere he can win. It might take him that whole 5-6 years to turn Purdue around and how high is their ceiling? As good a coach as he is, Purdue is a very tough place to recruit, probably one of the bottom few in the Power 5.

There's also a question if Purdue wants to make a serious attempt to win in football. Hiring a coach like Miles would cost them a lot of money and bring no real guarantees. Miles is going to insist on a big budget for the rest of his staff wherever he goes. They might prefer some cheap half measure.

I think Nebraska would have been a good fit. Maybe Kansas State if Snyder steps down.

I dumped the Dope

September 29th, 2016 at 11:31 PM ^

does not have a bushel of money unless they poach it away from their students to put it on the athletic side.

Not likey says this guy.

Franklin... is currently unaffordable in my opinion to fire.  He can go "ohfer" the next two seasons....

But once it gets into the ~4M range then he's in danger.

However one must consider the "itchy trigger finger clause" when signing the next coach...that could put up guaranteed money that would make this pale.

ldevon1

September 29th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^

There could be 4 or 5 high caliber jobs at the end of this season, not including Penn St.

 

1. LSU

2. So Cal

3. Texas

4. ND (maybe)

5. UCLA (maybe)

6. Whomever leaves a high profile spot to take the LSU job

7. Penn St

 

doggdetroit

September 29th, 2016 at 2:34 PM ^

That's why I would hold off until next year. Outside of Herman, who is not going to PSU, there are no candidates that would offer a sure upgrade. You're pretty much talking about retreads (Miles, Golden, Kiffin), some generic NFL coordinator, or the latest MAC du jour (Fleck) who has a less impressive resume than Franklin when he was hired.

As a side note, did PSU actually expect to beat Michigan? They were at a talent disadvantage at every position except possibly running back and kicker. They were down multiple starters due to injury. Michigan is a veteran laden team and the game was in Ann Arbor. I could understand the uproar if PSU had just lost to Purdue but the reality is that Michigan is a playoff contender and PSU is playing for the Pinstripe bowl.

Wolfman

September 29th, 2016 at 2:44 PM ^

PSU is down the list as to "Attractive jobs" at the present. And their behavior, as a university, has incensed fans in all areas of the country not named State College, making it even less attractive. 

Have no idea why they thought F.F. was worth 12,000.000 as a departing gift, should it come to that, but it is. Couple that with the fact you aren't attracting any proven coach at the college level and this man will be coaching PSU football at a minimum of another season. 

MileHighWolverine

September 29th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^

I'd be surprised if they fire him....the team is littered with injuries, still hampered by sanctions and he has a $12,000,000 buy out. Whoever they bring in now is going to struggle as well so you'd have to pay massively above market value just to get someone decent in there so you may as well let him hang around another year until the worst of it passes and THEN move on.

I could be wrong but I don't see it. Unless the negative effects of the sanctions have already passed, meaning you can get recruits if you can get A to A- coaching. Then, yes. I just don't see talented coaches lining up to go PSU right now.....at least not unless you pay massively over market prices for them.

razor93

September 29th, 2016 at 1:52 PM ^

All other programs are hoping PSU continues to remain delusional and keep Franklin around as long as possible.  He has shown how "great" of a coach he is by never beating a top 10 team in his tenure at PSU.  Either way he gets my vote of cofidence as well.  Keep PSU down as long as possible.  

lhglrkwg

September 29th, 2016 at 2:10 PM ^

Wouldn't surprise me if PJ went to PSU. The MAC is usually a training ground for the Big Ten and I'm not sure if he's been dominant enough to get noticed out if region for a USC or an LSU to take him seriously. If Western goes 13-0 or 12-1 though and finished in the top 10-15 then that's a whole other story then

FreddieMercuryHayes

September 29th, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^

I don't think it looks good for Franklin or PSU in terms of how much better it can get, but that said, PSU hired him in a terrible situation. And yeah, he is not exceeding expectations, but he deserves at least a fourth year as long as they don't tank this year.



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UM Fan from Sydney

September 29th, 2016 at 2:14 PM ^

HAHA a coach never wants a vote of confidence. That just means people are getting impatient or already want him fired.

WolverineHistorian

September 29th, 2016 at 2:14 PM ^

God help the sanity of the next guy who walks in there. He's going to have to constantly walk the line to please the many former players and alumni who choose to ignore the fact that JoePa enabled a child rapist for 40 years and the side of sensible folks who condemn it and want to move on.

How can you do your job when you constantly have to make THESE people happy? It just sounds like too much of a headache to attempt.



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Avon Barksdale

September 29th, 2016 at 4:33 PM ^

I'm not sure why there is a consensus here that Franklin is in trouble. I lived in Nashville (when he was there) and watched him win nine games at Vanderbilt -- twice. He has been absolutely strapped by the sanctions. There is no way in hell he gets axed this year.

Next year, yes if it remains bad. But this year? I don't think there is a chance they get rid of him. Next year is really the first year Franklin will be able to run his system with a solid core of upperclassmen.

Ronnie Kaye

September 29th, 2016 at 6:52 PM ^

I think there is more talk about Franklin getting fired on this board than any PSU-affiliated site. Give it a rest. No, he doesn't appear to be a good coach. But Penn State has to at least create the appearance of aiming for stability in their current situation. Unless things totally come off the rails (players getting in trouble, widespread team discord, etc.), he's going to get five years to prove himself.

It's already a very iffy job because of the lingering stink from the scandal and the hugely challenging division. It will become even less attractive in the eyes of prospective coaches if the administration/fans get a reputation for being impatient on top of that.