Were Penn State fans grateful on Thanksgiving Day that James Franklin could be leaving for USC?

 … careful what you wish for

Penn State fans wax hot and cold on their feeling about James Franklin, who is in his fifth season as head coach of the Nittany Lions. On the plus side, Franklin has built the Lions back into a national power after the horrible slide after the Jerry Sandusky case became public.

Franklin has compiled a 44-20 (69 percent) record thus far, not including today’s game. He won a Big Ten championship in just his third year in 2016, and probably should have been in the CFP instead of Ohio State — whom they defeated — that year.

They have had back-to-back 11 win seasons and could have a 10-win season and top 10 poll finish with a win over Maryland today and a win in a bowl game.

In addition, he has demonstrated that he is a great recruiter, putting together top classes that have built the Lions back into a national power. For instance, running back Saquon Barkley, a Franklin recruit, was the second player picked in this year’s NFL draft.

His current 2019 class is ranked 13th nationally by 247 and third in the Big Ten. Comparatively, the team that he said he would dominate in recruiting in Pa., Pitt, has a class ranked 46th nationally and eighth in the ACC.

Overall, that should be satisfying for PSU fans.

Where’s the rub?

So, why are so many people probably hoping that Franklin will be considered for the possible opening at USC if the Trojans lose to Notre Dame tonight? Most of it has to be losing too many close games, and not being able to defeat the major teams in the conference with regularity.

That is true, and Franklin has not reached the national playoffs — yet. So, that is another argument.

His game calls — though often reflecting his coordinators — are often puzzling, which makes many PSU fans crazy.

Is the Franklin to USC move even possible?

The first part of this that has to be acknowledged is that Clay Helton is still the coach at USC until he is fired by AD Lynn Swann. If the Trojans win in LA tonight, this conversation will be moot.

However, if he does not, the powers-to-be who pay Swann’s salary will be circling in the sky over the USC campus.

So, if he is fired, who would be the best candidates — is Franklin in the mix?

The answer would probably be “yes,” though the real favorite — after the Pac-12 Washington-Washington State game last night, a win by Washington — would be Washington Coach Chris Petersen. Petersen is a great game coach and is very creative. He has a 45-20 record with the Huskies, and his team won the Pac-12 title two years ago.

The only rub against Petersen is that he is 1-3 in bowl games.

The advantage that he would have over Franklin is that he is very conversant with recruiting on the West Coast, which Franklin is not.

David Jones: Ten good reasons James Franklin could leave Penn State

The Patriot-News Dave Jones makes a good case as to why Franklin might leave if he has the chance. It is an interesting read.

1. USC is a better job than Penn State.
2. The thrill is gone.
3. Weather and lifestyle
4. Franklin’s personality is a perfect L.A. fit.
5. Franklin’s recruiting background almost entirely east of the Mississippi does not matter.
6. Sandy Barbour’s future as A.D. is unknown
7. Being an African-American coach might be easier in a large, diverse city.
8. Lynn Swann could hire USC’s first black head football coach.
9. The Pac-12 South is much easier than the Big Ten East.
10. James Franklin has never gathered moss.

https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2018/11/penn_state_football_james_fran.html

Conclusion

The truth is that while Franklin may have disappointed in some areas, Penn State will be better off with him than without him, particularly in the area of recruiting.

There are also many reasons why Franklin would like to stay at Penn State. That is another story for another day.