On a dreary Monday afternoon in State College, Penn State athletics director Pat Kraft spoke to a packed media room inside Beaver Stadium about the team’s head coaching change, among other things.
Both local beat writers and national reporters piled in to listen after one of the biggest news stories of the season: James Franklin’s firing amid his 12th season at the helm of Nittany Lion football.
Here’s what Kraft had to say about that and more.
Franklin’s firing
It was a move that was shocking to some and predictable to others, but to Kraft, it had to be done. Before getting into the logistics, Kraft opened his press conference with high praise for his former colleague.
“Let me begin first by saying James Franklin is a tremendous man, husband, father, mentor to countless student-athletes and a good friend who has always carried himself with dignity and represented Penn State with absolute class,” Kraft said.
“Beyond the wins and the accolades, James has been a trusted ambassador for this university and a friend of the Penn State community. We are all incredibly fortunate to have had James Franklin lead our football program for over a decade, and we will be forever grateful to him and his family.”
Franklin is credited for building up Penn State’s program after years of sanctions, returning it to national prominence and spearheading improvements in institutional alignment, facility upgrades and staff expansion.
But after consistent failures to perform against top competition as well as three consecutive losses as a favorite, Kraft said it was time to make a hard decision. After Saturday’s 22-21 loss to Northwestern, Kraft was ready to make a move but wanted to sleep on it. On Sunday, it became official.
“It’s not a three game thing,” Kraft said. “This is really diving into where we were as a program. What is the trajectory of this program? And you all know, and I’m not shy to admit it, I’m here to win the national championship. I believe our fans deserve that, and I wake up every day trying to achieve that goal.”
Terry’s team
As the search for Penn State’s 17th head coach kicks into gear, cornerbacks coach Terry Smith will serve as the interim coach. Kraft expressed extreme confidence in Smith’s ability to lead the program.
“Terry’s a proud Penn Stater,” Kraft said. “He helped build this program as both a player and a coach, and he understands what it means to wear the blue and white. I am confident, and I can tell you, he will pour his heart and soul into this role.
Kraft also made it clear Smith is a candidate for the permanent head coaching role, and that the team will explore all options moving forward.
As Smith prepares for his elevated role, assistant coach Jordan Lucas will serve as the team’s temporary cornerbacks coach.
The search
Kraft described the traits he’s looking for in Penn State’s next head coach, saying the team will conduct a national evaluation to find suitable candidates.
“Our next coach will be someone who embodies everything Penn State stands for: integrity, accountability, toughness, humility and an elite motivator. We’ll find a coach who can achieve excellence at the highest level, doing it with confidence and conviction.”
The next head coach must prioritize recruiting and be able to “attract elite talent,” both out of high school and via the transfer portal, Kraft said. He also said player retention will be important.
He added that Penn State has elite resources, and the next head coach needs to maximize that and produce at the highest level on the field.
Kraft also tied back to the university’s roots, saying the next coach needs to represent “toughness, blue-collar work ethic and the class that defines this institution.”
“We want someone who honors our tradition but isn’t afraid to evolve, someone who understands the weight of who we are and leads us forward with a vision of championships,” Kraft said. “The right coach will rebuild the unity and pride that defines this historic program, and they will ignite this fan base around a shared belief that we’re capable of greatness, and we’re going to do it the right way, and we are the best program in the country.”
Prioritizing the players
Multiple times, Kraft emphasized the importance of the players and making sure their interests are prioritized. That began with allowing Franklin to break the news to his team and hold one final, emotional meeting with the coaches he hired and players he recruited.
Moving forward, Kraft said holding the locker room together will be a priority, both for Smith and the next head coach. He also made a request to Penn State fans to keep supporting the team this season, for their sake.
“You can hate me, You can hate James, but rally around them,” he said. “They deserve it. That’s who Penn State is. That’s who we are, and I believe in my heart of hearts, and it will continue to be what drives us to where we’re going to end up.“
Admiration for Allar
Starting quarterback Drew Allar left Saturday’s game with a season-ending lower leg injury on the Nittany Lions’ final drive. When asked about his impact, Kraft quickly became emotional and provided a lengthy answer.
“I think to see someone who’s gone through a lot at a young age, and anyone who ever doubts that young man’s commitment to Penn State and Penn State football, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
Kraft spoke about Allar’s love for the university, team and sport of college football, saying he sees Allar’s work ethic that others outside the program don’t. Kraft said Allar, whose time playing college football is over, will lead a successful professional career in the NFL.
“He wants to win in the worst way,” Kraft said. “He’s working hard to do that, and to see it end that way, you never want that, no matter the outcome of the games. I want every one of our athletes to finish everything they start in life and in games.”
