A PSU fan posted this on the 24/7 boatd
Penn State fan here. Just wanted to give you all a real warning on James Franklin from someone who watched every single year of his ten seasons. You guys have no idea how lucky you are. You’re going to fall for him immediately. He’s the kind of leader who completely changes the tone of a program the second he walks in. His players absolutely love him. In ten years I can honestly say I never heard a former player say a single bad thing about him. They’d run through a wall for him. As someone who worked within athletics during my time at PSU in the 2010s, I can tell you there's a lot that the public doesn't know about JF's tenure. That would put him in an even better light. It's truly remarkable what he was able to do post-Paterno.
Quick personal note about Franklin. When he was hired in 2014, my dad and I ended up at his intro event in Harrisburg. He pulled us aside and talked with us privately for more than 30 minutes. Years later, when I was a student, he always remembered me by name whenever I saw him on campus. He always stopped, said hi, shook my hand, and treated me like he actually cared.
Amazing coach, even better person.
His record here was 104–45 and he gave us double digit win seasons like they were normal, all while dealing with the toughest division in the country. He recruited way above what our NIL setup should have allowed, and somehow kept the roster together while everyone else was losing half their team every offseason. The guy just has a way of getting everyone to buy in.
I’m crushed we fired him. I think VT is about to become a powerhouse in the ACC and I’m insanely jealous. He’s walking into a conference he can dominate, in a region he recruits better than almost anyone, with fans who already seem excited. Honestly, your future looks brighter than ours right now and that hurts to admit.
I’m actually happy for him though. He’s finally going somewhere he'll be appreciated the way he should have been here. You all got a great one. Take care of him.
6 Replies
8mo
Like most fans. Including me. LOL
(In response to this post by Dreamweaver11)
8mo
I believe he can be a big fish in a small pond.
(In response to this post by mlewisr)
8mo
I think it was only a couple weeks after he was fired and as soon as I saw him on there, I said we have to have this guy
(In response to this post by VT ChemE 1986)
8mo
I kept waiting for the warning part, though, haha.
(In response to this post by mlewisr)