A good summary of everything that's involved. I wonder if Franklin's buyout included an agreement for him to not hire any current staff before a certain date, and also how many of them are under contract. It's not even the coaches so much as the "front office" guys.
It will be essential for the new coach to retain certain key staffers, like interim head coach Terry Smith, and analysts and support staff who have a handle on the day-to-day of Penn State football and the financial hurdles. Penn State football is a massive organization, grossing over $120 million annually and ā counting staff, players and interns and others who work at least part of the time on football ā it numbers up to 250 people.
Even if they do not stay with the regime long-term, it would be wise for the new head coach to spend as much time as possible with such long-time Penn State football executives as Kevin Threlkel (chief of staff), Andy Frank (GM of personnel and recruitment), Kenny Sanders (director of player personnel) and Will Reimann (director of football research and strategy).
https://www.statecollege.com/articles/columns/psupoormans-top-10-hiring-penn-states-head-coach-is-only-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/
> 5. CLASS OF 2026 HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITS. At the time Franklin was fired, Penn State had 26 verbal commitments in its Class of 2026. Now, after the de-commit of Top 100 O-lineman Kevin Brown on Sunday, that number is 13 ā and still shrinking. According to veteran recruiting analyst Ryan Snyder of Penn State On3, 11 of those are looking at other options. By the time the first signing date of Dec. 3 rolls around, Synder said he expects Penn Stateās ā2026 class to be very minimal,ā he told me Sunday. āI donāt expect many to stay.ā
> 6. THE PORTAL. It is not hyperbole that Penn State could lose more than 30 players in the portal, and gain 40 or 50ā¦or more. Part of the exodus could follow Franklin, wherever he ends up (No. 10). And part of the influx could come from the new head coachās former school.
