What We Know About Penn State's Offensive Coordinator Search

James Franklin addresses his decision, the hiring timeline and what he seeks in the next offensive coordinator.

Author:
Mark Wogenrich
Updated:
Nov 13, 2023 7:32 PM EST

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Penn State coach James Franklin fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich on Sunday, a day after the Nittany Lions scored 15 points in a loss to Michigan. While Franklin noted that Penn State's only losses this season are to the nation's first- and third-ranked teams, he also acknowledged those losses were "a big part of that decision."

"It's everything. Every unit needs to be operating at the very highest level," Franklin said Monday. "That is recruiting, that is development, that is offense, that is defense, that is special teams. And we've had times where we have done that but we've also had times where we've been really strong in certain areas and not strong enough in others. So that was a part of that decision."

At his weekly press conference, ostensibly meant to preview Saturday's game against Rutgers, Franklin fielded a majority of questions about the decision, his search process and what he's looking for in an offensive coordinator. Franklin will hire his sixth coordinator in 10 years at Penn State. Here's how he's getting started.

Why did Franklin make the change now?

Franklin has fired two other offensive coordinators, John Donovan and Kirk Ciarrocca, both after the season. This was his first in-season move. The Lions (8-2) have two regular-season games remaining along with a bowl game. But Franklin felt the change was necessary now.

"If you've got to the point where you feel like that's what you're going to do, I'm not great at faking it," Franklin said. "I want to be as transparent and as up-front as I possibly can be. So when you get to the point where you feel like that's the right decision, then I think you make it."

One of Franklin's more candid comments involved a statement he made Saturday after the Michigan game. Franklin said that the game as called did not allow quarterback Drew Allar to get into a rhythm. Asked Monday why he didn't then ask for more easy throws to be called, Franklin said this.

"I think you guys have heard me come in and talk [about], whether it's openers, third down, starting fast, all these things are things that we've had lengthy discussions about and had a plan for," Franklin said. "But a lot of the times when we got to the games, either we did not call the games that way or we did not execute the games the way we intended them to. Yeah, those things were asked for."

What went wrong with Penn State's offense?

Penn State averaged 43.8 points per game in its eight wins this season but 13.5 in losses to Ohio State and Michigan. The Lions were 0-6 against those teams with Yurcich as offensive coordinator, averaging 19.3 points per game. This season, Penn State scored just one touchdown before its final offensive drives in both games, when Ohio State and Michigan played prevent defenses.

Franklin said both the offense's plan and execution were issues.

"Yes, I felt like both of those things needed to change," he said. "How we came up with the plan, the implementation of the plan, all those things. For sure the execution of the plan. Obviously you don't make the type of decision I made without feeling that way."

What is Franklin's timeline for hiring a new coordinator?

"Sooner rather than later," Franklin said, repeating a term he uses often regarding staff changes.

"But it's hard. Hiring someone is like a full-time job," Franklin added. "So you can't really have two full-time jobs right now. So the most important thing is for us to play well this week and finish this season the right way, and then during that process be working through and narrowing down a list."

Franklin already has a list, no surprise since he's always scouting for talent in the coaching ranks (Here's our list of potential candidates). An important date is Dec. 20, when the early signing period opens. That's essentially National Signing Day, and having a coordinator on board is critical for recruiting. But Franklin also would like to have the new coordinator available at the bowl game for team scouting and bonding purposes. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz did that two years ago at the Outback Bowl.

"It's narrowing [the list] down, it's running all the numbers, it's seeing if people are interested and then trying to find a way to get that turned over as soon as we possibly can," Franklin said.

What is Franklin looking for in an offensive coordinator?

Probably the same thing fans want.

"Somebody that’s going to put us in the best position to play our best football when it’s needed most and against the best competition," he said.

How will Drew Allar impact Franklin's hiring process?

Penn State is in a unique position at quarterback. Yurcich recruited two on the roster (starter Drew Allar and freshman Jaxon Smolik) and one in the upcoming recruiting class: Ohio standout Ethan Grunkemeyer. Yurcich, who also coached Penn State's quarterbacks, is the primary reason Allar began listening to, and ultimately committed to, Penn State. "When he got here, that's when things really started to happen with Penn State," Allar said of Yurcich.

Though Franklin said Allar won't help determine the hire, the coach will get the quarterbacks' input.

"In terms of being involved in the hiring process, no, but in terms of, are they a part of that decision? Yes," Franklin said, "in terms of who I'm bringing in, why I'm bringing them in. Do they fit the person that I'm bringing in, and does the person I'm bringing in fit with them? Does everybody understand what they're signing up for? All those things, yes."

Last word

Franklin had hoped to field more questions about Rutgers, which Penn State will host Saturday in its last regular-season game. He got one, which still hinged more on the team's offensive process than the Scarlet Knights specifically.

"Appreciate that one question about Rutgers," Franklin said as he left the podium. "Thank you."