James Franklin wasn’t on the unemployment line for lengthy. The previous Penn State head coach agreed to develop into the top coach of Virginia Tech
on Monday, a lot to the chagrin of Arkansas followers.
As comfortable as Penn State followers have been to do away with him, Arkansas followers weren’t comfortable when Franklin rightly selected to be the Virginia Tech head coach. It makes a ton of sense. We outlined the explanations earlier than. Franklin ought to recruit effectively in that space; the ACC is there for the taking, and regardless of all of the criticism of his report, Franklin is a constant winner.
Did James Franklin fail at Penn State?
Exterior of his first season at Vanderbilt and the COVID season in 2020, Franklin has by no means had a shedding season. He additionally by no means received a nationwide championship, however that results in an even bigger query. Did Franklin fail at Penn State, or have been the expectations unrealistic?
Penn State has all of the sources to compete for championships. However Franklin did that. He received a Massive Ten title in 2016, reached the convention title sport in 2024 and was a play away from making the nationwide championship sport final season.
You might spend a very long time on Franklin’s achievements at Penn State. He received a number of video games and a few notable bowl video games, too. The sentiment that Franklin would not get Penn State excessive is comprehensible. Michigan and Clemson followers felt the identical manner till Jim Harbaugh and Dabo Swinney delivered, respectively.
Did Franklin want extra time? The brand new Virginia Tech head coach had lots. He simply did not win sufficient when it mattered. The factor is, will the following man?
Lane Kiffin is not strolling by that door. In actual fact, in the case of LSU, Florida and Penn State, the Nittany Lions aren’t even a consideration, which tells you one thing all by itself.
Penn State is not a top-five job. Heck, it won’t even be within the high 10. Simply within the Massive Ten alone, Ohio State, Oregon and Michigan are higher jobs.
The Nittany Lions have at all times been behind Michigan and Ohio State within the Massive Ten. And there is a motive Oregon received Dan Lanning, and why he wasn’t even on Penn State’s listing. You would be a idiot to go away Oregon for Penn State. So, a month after firing Franklin, Penn State feels no nearer to hiring a head coach.
Penn State remains to be trying to find its subsequent head coach
Eli Drinkwitz, the Missouri head coach, has been related to the Nittany Lions, together with Brian Hartline. Frankly, that could be the very best of an uninspiring group. At the least it does not embody Matt Rhule, who re-signed with Nebraska to take his title out of the combination.
Nebraska is a superb reference level, although. The Huskers fired Frank Solich and Bo Pelini, every after nine-win seasons. Guess what? Nebraska hasn’t sniffed a convention championship since.
That does not imply Penn State will endure the identical destiny. Nonetheless, and not using a surefire improve (there is not one even in rivalry for the job), firing Franklin was a threat.
Penn State was a top-10 program. There isn’t any assure it is going to keep there, and if Franklin wins with the Hokies like he has received in all places else, it is not arduous to check a situation of remorse.
