Penn State head football coach James Franklin spoke for a bit on Tuesday’s Big Ten coaches teleconference. He provided some updates on his football team and also looked ahead to Saturday’s game at Ohio State. Here are the highlights.
+ Franklin didn’t pay attention to the Penn State – Ohio State rivalry 20 years ago when both teams were at the top of the nation.
+ Franklin studied all kinds of leaders and coaches on his way up the coaching ladder. There were “definitely probably things” that he has studied from great coaches. He will always do that and his program will always be based on growth and learning. When coaches think they have it figured out, that’s when they’re in trouble.
+ J.K. Dobbins is explosive. “No doubt.” “We recruited him.” He brings a different look to the offense because of his speed. But it helps that he is playing with J.T. Barrett and an offensive line and with a fast and talented receiver corps. Penn State’s receivers and quarterback and offensive line are a big part of Saquon Barkley’s success. Dobbins is in an ideal situation.
+ Asked how difficult it is to rebuild a program in the Big Ten East, he said “It’s brutal. It really is.” That’s why you don’t really see too many people do it multiple times “because it takes everything.” It’s on the staff, it’s on the coaches’ families, it’s the players. There’s just so much involved in rebuilding a program. Implanting your own culture into a program used to be easier to do because you had more time. Now you have to get it done in three years.
+ Franklin is looking forward to finding out how good his defense is. The speed from Ohio State is going to be a real challenge. Going against an experienced quarterback is always tough. “They’ve got a guy that’s won a lot of games for them.” “It feels like he’s been playing there for 20 years.” The players around him make him tough as well. The game is constantly changing and having a veteran quarterback who can make those changes as well is tough to combat. “This is not one of those offenses or teams that you feel like you’re going to shut down…” but you try to limit them where you can.
