It’s setting up to be a busy offseason for Penn State football, both on and off the field as the Nittany Lions head towards a ninth season under head coach James Franklin.
With now former defensive coordinator Brent Pry already taking over as Virginia Tech’s head coach and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter (A former UVA player) reportedly in the mix for the Virginia job, it’s a challenge both in the short term ahead of Penn State’s Outback Bowl meeting against Arkansas and the long term – finding replacements for any coaches who depart for new jobs.
“I would say that I’m kind of split on it right,” Franklin said of Pry’s departure. “Super excited and happy and proud for Brent and his family. I think he’s a great fit at Virginia Tech. This is the type of opportunity that we talked about for 12 years. He turned down a bunch opportunities waiting for the right one and this was the right one, so I couldn’t be happier for him and I think it’s a great fit. A tremendous opportunity.
“On the other hand of it, you talk about a significant loss. Personally and professionally. Brent’s one of my closest friends. We’ve been together for 12 years, been through a lot together.”
Franklin noted on a call with reporters Sunday evening that Penn State is preparing to coach against Arkansas while possibly ‘being down staff members” depending on how the early stages of the coaching carousel shake out.
“This time of year, there’s always people that have opportunities and options,” Franklin said. “That becomes an even stronger challenge because they have intimate, personal and professional relationships with people on the staff.”
As far as Pry’s replacement, Franklin is taking his time and taking plenty of calls in the process. Despite a fairly large amount of staff turnover under Franklin the past several seasons, this will be the first time since Bob Shoop left following the 2015 season that Franklin will have to hire a new defensive coordinator. At that time Pry was simply promoted within the program.
“I’m on the road right now with (tight end coach) Ty Howell and (receivers coach) Taylor Stubblefield and (offensive coordinator) Coach [Mike] Yurcich,” Franklin said. “We just finished our second home visit. We’re on our third on the way to our third home visit right now. And then, I’m also making the calls and taking calls from people for our coordinator position. I’d like to try to get it done as soon as possible but I want to make sure that we also get the right person. That takes time.”
“The other challenge is, with as many jobs that are open right now; a lot of people are fighting for the same guy. There’s a lot of competition out there from that perspective as well. So, that’s kind of where we’re at.”
The quartet of coaches were driving in Ohio, fresh off home visits with quarterback Drew Allar and receiver Kadan Saunders during Franklin’s call Sunday night.
There have been no public reports regarding who Franklin might hire to replace Pry. Fans and onlookers have theorized everyone from former Nittany Lion and current Texas A&M defensive line coach Elijah Robinson to others in the coaching ranks. Franklin said that he was looking both inside and outside his immediate coaching tree and that previous experience calling defensive plays was not absolutely required.
It also remains to be seen if Franklin opts to make any changes internally following a 7-5 regular season.
Whoever ends up with the job, the Nittany Lions will look to continue a long tradition of stout defenses at Penn State, a key to taking the next step as a program.
