After alllllllllll that has happened during this Penn State football season, the team is one win away from the elusive winning streak from Major League II.
I don't have a stake in Penn State's coaching search, but I'll give you my thoughts whether you want them or not. First off, winning the introductory press conference with fans and local media is a great thing, and it sounds like Smith would do that, even if it's underwhelming to a national audience. That said, it's far from the most important thing, so if PSU has a lower profile candidate, like a G5 coach or coordinator, that they really believe is a guy, they should absolutely roll the dice. But if they don't have that guy in mind, then this might be the best time in CFB history to take a chance on a guy like Smith. For a program with PSU's stature and deep pockets, even if Smith face-plants, the time it takes to rebuild a program in the NIL/portal era is shorter than ever. (Assuming you don't screw up the follow-up hire too.) Because of the sheer numbers, you can't turnaround a college football program as quickly as a basketball program, but there's no denying those timelines have sped up exponentially. So unless you're really sold on an outside hire, the risk on a guy like Smith is very manageable. If he succeeds, fantastic. If he doesn't, it's hard to see him doing irreparable damage to the program in two years before you fire him, and maybe the HC market is way better at that time. That's my outsider take, FWIW. Go Irish!
💯. That’s why I came to the conclusion that the national appeal doesn’t matter. Look how quickly Indiana bc a name. You can load up so quickly in the NIL era and Penn State has the money to do that.
Based on reporting, I’d be surprised if any of the coordinators are high on the list right now. The James Madison coach may be someone getting a real look.
CBS Sports reported shortly after I wrote this that Smith is getting his formal interview this week. So we’ll see where things go after that!
Btw, the ‘Cuse fans I grew up around (including my wife who is an alum) were verrrrry quiet after yesterday’s drubbing. Marcus Freeman is a damn good coach! Hope he doesn’t jump ship anywhere.
I obviously don't have any inside info, but it feels like he's very at home in South Bend right now. The NFL may eventually come calling, but right now everything is clicking on all cylinders. I just can't imagine him going anywhere in the near future. And I've never seen a game like yesterday's. Up 21-0 on two pick-6's and a blocked punt before the offense even takes the field? Unbelievable. And then Love takes it right to the house! College football is amazing when it isn't breaking your heart.
I don't have a stake in Penn State's coaching search, but I'll give you my thoughts whether you want them or not. First off, winning the introductory press conference with fans and local media is a great thing, and it sounds like Smith would do that, even if it's underwhelming to a national audience. That said, it's far from the most important thing, so if PSU has a lower profile candidate, like a G5 coach or coordinator, that they really believe is a guy, they should absolutely roll the dice. But if they don't have that guy in mind, then this might be the best time in CFB history to take a chance on a guy like Smith. For a program with PSU's stature and deep pockets, even if Smith face-plants, the time it takes to rebuild a program in the NIL/portal era is shorter than ever. (Assuming you don't screw up the follow-up hire too.) Because of the sheer numbers, you can't turnaround a college football program as quickly as a basketball program, but there's no denying those timelines have sped up exponentially. So unless you're really sold on an outside hire, the risk on a guy like Smith is very manageable. If he succeeds, fantastic. If he doesn't, it's hard to see him doing irreparable damage to the program in two years before you fire him, and maybe the HC market is way better at that time. That's my outsider take, FWIW. Go Irish!
💯. That’s why I came to the conclusion that the national appeal doesn’t matter. Look how quickly Indiana bc a name. You can load up so quickly in the NIL era and Penn State has the money to do that.
Based on reporting, I’d be surprised if any of the coordinators are high on the list right now. The James Madison coach may be someone getting a real look.
CBS Sports reported shortly after I wrote this that Smith is getting his formal interview this week. So we’ll see where things go after that!
Btw, the ‘Cuse fans I grew up around (including my wife who is an alum) were verrrrry quiet after yesterday’s drubbing. Marcus Freeman is a damn good coach! Hope he doesn’t jump ship anywhere.
I obviously don't have any inside info, but it feels like he's very at home in South Bend right now. The NFL may eventually come calling, but right now everything is clicking on all cylinders. I just can't imagine him going anywhere in the near future. And I've never seen a game like yesterday's. Up 21-0 on two pick-6's and a blocked punt before the offense even takes the field? Unbelievable. And then Love takes it right to the house! College football is amazing when it isn't breaking your heart.