Is Jay Paterno thrilled that James Franklin's name is rumored for USC job?

Last thing that James Franklin wanted this week

… SI: “Penn State's Board of Trustees Invited This Speculation”

The rumor is the last thing that James Franklin and Penn State need this week. With the tenth-ranked Nittany Lions hosting ESPN’s Game Day with their game against Auburn on Saturday, the last thing the players want to hear is that their coach is being considered for another job. 

Although having a name in the mix is not really “being considered.”

Franklin’s name has been linked to USC previously, when they hired the coach who was fired earlier this week. 

First, what coach wants to be associated with an A.D. who would boot his coach early in the season? Second, this makes no sense. Third, bringing a coach from the East  Coast to the west is counter-intuitive [remember Jenny Przekwas]. Last, USC does not have the allure that it once did. 

However, what was interesting was the Sports Illustrated gave a good reason why Franklin may want to leave Penn State. A disgruntled, albeit small, group of the board of trustees who are still enthralled with restoring the statue of Joe Paterno to its place at Beaver Stadium. 

Is Franklin tiring of Penn State?

The SI story points out the reality that Franklin may be growing weary of the parochial politics in the valley formerly referred to as “Happy” — prior to Jerry Sandusky. 

This goes back to action earlier this year at a board meeting that ended with futility for the small, anti-Franklin forces,

It's no surprise that Franklin leads the speculative lists. But Penn State's Board of Trustees didn't help the process, and even might have invited this latest round of speculation, by debating $48.3 million in football upgrades before approving the plan. That kind of push-pull has to grow exhausting …

Meanwhile, why would Franklin want to leave Penn State? Consider the board's February discussion as one nudge in that direction.

Franklin has spoken openly about the football program being "way behind" other leading programs regarding facilities. This past winter, Penn State's board approved the $48.3 million for upgrades to the Lasch Football Building, though six board members, including former assistant coach Jay Paterno, voted against the project.

And, if Penn State loses in Columbus in October, perhaps Franklin would look for a fresh start outside of the Big Ten East and the constant head-pounding against Ohio State and its $233.8 million athletic department.

Mark Wogenrich, SI, September 14, 2021

Jay Paterno accused of racism for his vote

The son of Joe Paterno secured a place on the board because the alumni group, which is in favor of returning the statue to its former location, has some seats and the vast majority of alumni do not vote in these elections. 

Paterno was allegedly concerned about spending money for athletics when the school was laying off personnel. Good idea, but motivation was questionable, which led a former great PSU linebacker to accuse him of racism,

The plot thickened when LaVar Arrington got involved and tore into Jay, accusing him of trying to undermine James Franklin.

“It was a power play by Jay Paterno, and I didn’t like it,” Arrington said on his “Up on Game” radio show last weekend. “Because you know what? Right now, we have a coach who saved our program basically … and (by voting no) we’re saying we’re not giving him any more resources to be able to try to build the program.”

Speaking about Jay, Arrington added: “But if you were the head coach, which you tried to be the head coach, you would want all of the resources possible for you to have success so that you could build that program and keep your job and try to rebuild the brand and the legacy that was built there by your dad.”

Neal Rudel, “Jay Paterno sparks outrage with former players,” Altoona Mirror, February 27, 2021

Arrington made no bones about Paterno trying to get rid of Franklin back in February,

Arrington also believes Paterno’s action “was the start of a campaign to create cracks to actually, possibly, get James Franklin out of coaching at Penn State.”

In addition to being one of the Nittany Lions’ most recognizable players over the last 25 years, Arrington trains young athletes and appears regularly on national platforms such as “Speak for Yourself,” a sports roundtable that often focuses on race relations. He’s an influential and important voice.

Neil Rudel, Altoona Mirror, February 27, 2021

Did trustees invite speculation?

Could be, as SI noted,

In his statement announcing Helton's dismissal, USC Athletic Director Mike Bohn said that "we provided every resource necessary for our football program to compete for championships." Meanwhile, Jay Paterno, in voting against Penn State's football upgrades, said, "My former boss used to say, 'Football is here to serve the university, not the other way around.'"

Penn State certainly doesn't want to deal with speculation surrounding Franklin, not this season, and most certainly not this week. But with their 'No' votes earlier this year, some trustees invited it.

Mark Wogenrich, SI, September 14, 2021

So, the former PSU assistant chosen solely on the basis of nepotism is probably thrilled with the speculation.