What happened at PSU in 2025
Interesting article that leaves me with a lot of questions. I know we are in better shape with CJF but it looks like at least some of the players and coaches didn't like the way he ran things. I understand that happens everywhere and many of the players and coaches came with him so obviously they don't have a problem. Just something to consider.
39 Replies
6mo
that must be really difficult lol.
If there aren't a few unhappy people then you must not be pushing very hard
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
I suspect there is half a kernal of truth here, but by and large it's from the narrow, partially informed, self-interested perspective of just two individuals who don't know what they don't know. IMO, it was written largely with the intent of giving the JF torch waving segment of the PSU fanbase what they want to hear.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
He wouldn't be our coach right now. I'm grateful he has a fresh start here.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
feels like 1998 to me. We are about to go on a SERIOUS roll!
I remember talking to a Vol fan back then. If you recall, they won the national title somewhere around then, and he had that strut thing going on.. I proudly said that I was a Hokie fan, and his quick (rehearsed) response was, "Sorry to hear that".
Maybe funny. I can take a joke. But inside I'm thinking, "See ya next year, chump".
I like being right.
(In response to this post by crazylane)
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JackDSML
6mo
(In response to this post by Coach McGuirk)
6mo
With the Wienke injury. Beat Rooster Outzen for their natty. 99 Nole team was even better. But VT kills them with Outzen at QB. It takes a little luck for even the best teams to win it all.
(In response to this post by Coach McGuirk)
6mo
amazing new Head Football Coach, and JF is now crushing it for VT in building up VT's roster. That's what happened at PSU in 2025.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
At least recruiting and transfers are more numerous and of higher quality, but no one knows how most kids will do under pressure in a game. And even great QB's look bad when the OLine doesn't give them time or the WRs don't catch passes. That latest batch of highly regarded players at PSU did not pan out and win. Where else in history has the 5th ranked team in the nation fire its head coach the next year during the season?
(In response to this post by Scream_On_D)
6mo
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
1) watch interviews with players on any team, or even just PSU players. They are just not as eloquent in their choice of words as whoever this person was that was supposedly interviewed.
2) Anonymous? Really? CJF is GONE from PSU. Why would this person be concerned about reprisal now in exercising their 1st amendment right of free speech? I can hear Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the background yelling "man up marine"!
3) How can anyone that authoritarian and autocratic have any degree of loyalty to him by any of the staff and any of the players? I have been out there in the real world and have worked for a few of these type of people. They are not the kind of people who are long term successful or respected nor will they instill loyalty to themselves.
To whoever wrote this article, yeah, I am sorry PSU got ranked as high as #2 and didn't live up to it. When FSU upset Bama all of a sudden pollsters thought they were back and the ship had been righted. Early season rankings always have and always will never mean anything.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
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earmuffs
6mo
(In response to this post by Jethro Tull)
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V333T
6mo
(In response to this post by Jethro Tull)
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NOFX
6mo
As has been pointed out, the people quoting in here likely have an axe to grind, but as long as you stay neutral there's some good insight into JF's process.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
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NOFX
6mo
(In response to this post by NOFX)
6mo
(In response to this post by jkharman)
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V333T
6mo
Of course, he has a way with the f*** word that is endearing to many, so it would have been far spicier.
In fairness, perhaps the author might have interviewed two Penn State recruits that didn’t leave the 2026 recruiting class. Oh, there was only 1 who was a recruit and didn’t decommit (recall Jackson Ford was the only 2026 recruit that did not leave the class when JF was fired).
Or maybe one of two or three recruits that re-commited to VT that said “I’m going where coach ends up (Mechens I recall). Or, “Trust coach” (Petersohn I recall).
Or in fairness, perhaps the author might have interviewed two players that followed the coach to VT.
Nah.
As designed, there was only one way the article was going to turn out.
** Edited by V333T at 1/22/2026, 3:26:44 PM
(In response to this post by jkharman)
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Hokie-NC
6mo
If a team is doing poorly, there is no way the culture is good.
If a team starts doing better for any reason after a coaching changes made, without question, the culture improves.
When given the chance to speak freely after a coach is gone, both players and fans speak more openly. And fans will undoubtably point out behavior they don’t like. See Coach Brooks as an example.
Bottom line is many fans hate what hurts their team, but is okay with the same actions if it helps them.
** Edited by Hokie-NC at 1/22/2026, 2:13:40 PM
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
I put this on the same trash pile of articles that oddly focused heavily on the record vs top 10 teams. There were a ton of those shortly after VT hired him. PSU/Big Ten protection articles.
Were some people unhappy and thinking they should be playing more? Of course. That happens at every school. Did those players have a legitimate gripe? Maybe some of them, but definitely not all of them.
PSU needs to move on. They seem a little obsessive about JF even though they were the ones who broke up the relationship.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
Type-A hard-nosed, sharp-tongued guy who wins a ton of games, demands excellence, and rubs some people the wrong way. Cignetti just won a national championship. Franklin was a couple plays away from being in the title game last year.
Winning is hard. You need to have a tough guy in charge of the program to make it happen. Franklin is that guy for us, regardless of any sour grapes whining from Happy Valley these days.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
there and how he had to work hard to change that losing culture and mindset. Whether people hated him for that or loved him. The results speak for themselves and I doubt he worried or lost any sleep over the ones who didn’t like or support his culture change..
(In response to this post by Zanderhokie)
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JackDSML
6mo
1 ACC championship
4 wins against top 10 opponents.
I’d take this article very seriously. Our AD did not vet him.
He wanted everything to be based on loyalty and good feelings.
Loyalty was cute in the 90s and I miss loyalty, however no one is winning with loyalty.
It takes money and not loyalty. Bring in fresh talent just like the NFL.
I’m just the messenger so don’t blame me.
We should sue JF , we were taken.
(In response to this post by SCHokie1103)
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JackDSML
6mo
(In response to this post by Hate2SeeItEnd Hokie)
6mo
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BoozVT
6mo
(In response to this post by JackDSML)
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JackDSML
6mo
(In response to this post by BoozVT)
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BoozVT
6mo
The "article" is from Basic Blue Nation and is full of rumors, heresay and unnamed sources. Your author is a blogger from Georgia. No different than if you had written it, and it'd likely be similar in tone. Penn State fans hate Franklin right now and rabid fans love to hear about everything being the last guys fault because it let's them feel like they'll be top of the world again now that he's gone. So that's why hit piece blogs get written, for clicks.
I'll give you this, your "we should sue JF" comment is one of the funniest things I've read recently, if only you weren't serious.
"It takes money and not loyalty. Bring in fresh talent just like the NFL". That is exactly what Franklin has done since he's been here. It's clear you have some kind of ax to grind, but that's on you to deal with.
(In response to this post by JackDSML)
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JackDSML
6mo
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JackDSML
6mo
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
Unnamed sources from people that are still at Penn State saying there is a problem after the fact the season imploded. I bet it was tough times after that loss. Who's to blame? Who knows at this point. We have heard the AD and Franklin weren't fans of each other, and we don't know if that is a fact or not, though we did see those cookies out there after BYU's coach stayed.
Do these same things come out if Franklin gets them back to the play-off this season and at least makes the national championship? Interesting that Franklin is talked down in trying to get staff and players to VT, but Matt Campbell is seen as a breath of fresh air (we shall see if he is enjoyed after a couple of seasons - but it seems odd that so many ISU coaches/players are at Penn State - I'm sure Campbell didn't ask those players/coaches to join.
This is one of those stories that come out after the fact...it just amazes me how the story changes after a few wins or losses (looking at Ryan Day). I am not saying this is true or it isn't true - am I surprised? Not really, but I would be way more surprised if that article mentioned Franklin in a very good light and just hoping for the best w/ Campbell aboard since he wasn't their 1st choice (and if he was and turned them down initially, that also doesn't look good w/ Penn State thinking how high up on the college football hierarchy they think they are).
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
and the player(s) didn't get the PT he thought he deserved; and (2) Franklin probably is a bit of a control freak. I don't think that's a bad thing necessarily. As long as he allows the assistant coaches to perform at the top of their ability, being a control freak can ensure high standards are maintained. But, yes, as ChemE '86 mentioned, the reset could be good for all parties.
I'm not suggesting Franklin had become complacent, but I do think the way he was treated has lit a bit of a fire in him. No doubt he wants to stick it to PSU. No doubt he has something to prove now. He is on a mission.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
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JackDSML
6mo
(In response to this post by goodbadugly)
6mo
truth. Those with an axe to grind typically are not measured in their criticisms. Just human nature.
(In response to this post by JackDSML)
6mo
Everybody makes mistakes. My guess is he will apply some Lessons learned here.
(In response to this post by jkharman)
6mo
There will always be "some," and a "few," or that "guy" who is discontent and they are just ready to let it all out when the coach leaves. Same can apply to about any workplace in America and almost any institution. If Indiana's guy left tomorrow, a journalist could round up enough people to do a bit on how some were "dissatisfied."
(In response to this post by jkharman)