Tag: James Franklin

Anthony Poindexter set to stay at Penn State despite hiring of Jim Knowles

Penn State will welcome back one of its top assistant coaches next season.

Nobody would have blamed Penn State safety coach [autotag]Anthony Poindexter[/autotag] if he had decided to leave Penn State for a shot to be a defensive coordinator with another program. After Penn State made a massive move to sign [autotag]Jim Knowles[/autotag] to be the team’s defensive coordinator, Poindexter will reportedly be staying with the program as well.

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reports Poindexter will remain with the Nittany Lions on a new multi-year contract that will come with a pay increase as Penn State continues to invest more in its assistant coaching staff under James Franklin. That is another massive win for the Penn State coaching staff this offseason.

If Penn State wasn’t going to land Knowles at defensive coordinator, then Poindexter appeared to be the most likely top candidate on the board. He would have made perfect sense as an in-house hire or promotion given how he has developed as a coach, and he has been a popular name for potential coordinator opportunities. An opportunity to be a defensive coordinator could still come his way and it could still one day end up with Poindexter leaving Penn State, but the Nittany Lions continue to splurge for top-notch assistants to help get Penn State to take another step toward legitimately contending for a national title.

According to the report from Dellenger, Franklin was open and honest with Poindexter about the possibility of adding Knowles to the coaching staff, and that led to Poindexter having a conversation with Knowles about the future in Happy Valley.

Per Dellenger’s report;

Franklin and Poindexter held a conversation earlier this past week when it became apparent that Penn State had an opportunity to hire Knowles. “We could really get Jim?” he told Franklin.

Poindexter even discussed the job with Knowles over the past few days, committing to remaining on staff if Knowles were hired to run the defense.

Going into the 2025 season, Penn State will have one of the best coaching staffs Franklin has had in State College with one of the top offensive coordinator hires from a year ago with Andy Kotelnicki and one of the top defensive coordinators from the 2024 season with Knowles. Throw in the return of Poindexter, and things are looking pretty solid for Franklin and his program next fall.

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Penn State DC hire makes USC’s retention of D’Anton Lynn more impressive

Penn State just hired elite defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. USC was ready to keep D’Anton Lynn away from Happy Valley. The Trojans did something right.

Two weeks ago, USC made a big move by extending fast-rising defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. The move came amid interest in Lynn from Penn State, his alma mater, for its defensive coordinator position.

On Sunday, the Nittany Lions announced their new defensive coordinator, and it was a big name. Penn State was able to poach star DC Jim Knowles away from Big Ten foe Ohio State. Less than a week removed from winning a national championship with the Buckeyes, Knowles will now head to Happy Valley to work in the same role.

The Knowles hire only makes USC’s retention of Lynn look all the more impressive. Clearly, Penn State was willing to pay top dollar to pry a top candidate away from an established powerhouse. The fact that the Trojans were able to hold onto Lynn despite the Nittany Lions’ push further highlights USC’s strong investment in the football program.

As we wrote over the weekend, this also means there are no excuses for head coach Lincoln Riley. The athletic department has spent significant money to retain his highly touted defensive coordinator and hire general manager Chad Bowden away from rival Notre Dame. If the Trojans flop on the field yet again in 2025, Riley will have no one but himself to blame.

The hiring of Jim Knowles leaves no excuses left for Penn State’s James Franklin

Penn State just made DC Jim Knowles the highest-paid coordinator in college football. With him now on the staff, James Franklin has no excuses left not to win a title.

After losing defensive coordinator Tom Allen to the Clemson Tigers, Penn State coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] needed to find a replacement capable of keeping the defense at a championship level. It’s safe to say he accomplished that goal. Ohio State DC [autotag]Jim Knowles[/autotag] helped make the Buckeyes defense one of the best in the country this season, and he will now try and do the same in Happy Valley after signing a three-year contract with Penn State.

The deal is for $3.1 million per season, making him the highest-paid coordinator in college football. Now with Knowles and offensive coordinator [autotag]Andy Kotelnicki[/autotag], Penn State has two highly successful coordinators who should be able to elevate the elite talent that they bring in year after year.

It also leaves no excuses for Franklin to finally get over the hump and bring home Penn State’s first National Championship since 1986. They already were one game away from playing for a title this season and will retain most of their key players for 2025. Quarterback [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag], running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton all chose to return despite NFL interest.

That combined with plenty of young players ready to step into bigger roles, and Franklin knows the time is now to change the perception of his career in Happy Valley. Big games have been his kryptonite, particularly against conference opponents. Prying the coordinator away from perhaps his biggest nemesis was a bold and potentially key move that will help alleviate that issue.

Knowles’ defense was admittedly not always great in tough games, but their playoff run and overall season this year highlighted what he is capable of with the right talent. Few teams possess the amount of athletes that Penn State routinely has waiting for their opportunity to play, so talent won’t be an issue.

Adding a coach fresh off of winning a National Championship is also never a bad thing, as he got to experience what it’s like to make it through the new playoff format. As smart of a move as it seems on the surface, however, Franklin once again has zero excuses left not to win the biggest games of the year. I am sure both teams are even more fired up to face each other this November.

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Penn State finalizing contract with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, per reports

Penn State is closing a deal to bring Jim Knowles over from Ohio State to lead the defense.

Penn State’s search for a new defensive coordinator appears to be coming to a close. On Sunday afternoon, multiple reports surfaced suggesting Penn State is finalizing the contract with Ohio State defensive coordinator [autotag]Jim Knowles[/autotag] to continue in the same position with the Nittany Lions, marking a massive coaching staff move for the program and head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and taking a key piece away from a national championship program.

According to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN, via social media, Penn State will pay Knowles an average of $3.1 million over the next three seasons. The news of Knowles heading to Penn State came on the same day Ohio State was celebrating its national championship in Ohio Stadium. Head coach Ryan Day acknowledged Knowles’s contributions, who was absent from the ceremony.

Knowles is coming off a national championship run with Ohio State, which included a victory over Penn State in the regular season in which the Penn State offense was flustered on multiple occasions in terrific scoring opportunities. Ohio State’s defense ranked first in the nation in total defense by averaging 254.6 yards per game allowed. Ohio State also led the nation in scoring defense by allowing just 12.9 points per game during the 2024 season.

Penn State’s defensive numbers have fared quite well with top-10 numbers in total defense and scoring defense, but the addition of Knowles is a home run hire for a program in need of a defensive coordinator.

Knowles will be filling the vacancy left by Tom Allen, a former head coach of Indiana who spent one year leading the Penn State defense. Allen accepted a job offer from Clemson to be the defensive coordinator for the defending ACC champions.

Knowles is a Philadelphia native and has made stops as defensive coordinator with Western Michigan, Duke, and Oklahoma State prior to his three seasons with Ohio State.

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Daniel Jeremiah’s first 2025 NFL mock draft has two Penn State stars as top 10 picks

Penn State has two high-profile draft prospects in the 2025 NFL draft, and draft expert Daniel Jeremiah had high praise for them in his first mock draft of the year.

With draft season fully underway, Penn State’s draft prospects are set to begin their journey to the NFL. As usual, coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] has plenty of players who are expected to make the leap to the NFL level. Since he took over the program in 2014, 57 former Nittany Lions have heard their name called in the NFL draft.

That number will grow in 2025 thanks to some impressive prospects, none more so than [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag]. They will both be fixtures in most first-round mock drafts throughout the draft season. NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah recently released his first 2025 mock draft, and he may be higher on the pair than anybody.

Jeremiah had Carter going first overall to the Tennessee Titans, ranking him as his top overall player in the draft. If Carter does indeed get picked first overall, he would be just the third Nittany Lion selected first overall in the NFL draft and the first since Courtney Brown in 2000.

Carter has all the talent required to be in contention for the first pick, even with the Titans in need of help at quarterback help. His blend of speed and power is rare among edge rushers, and the Titans need to prioritize adding difference-makers following a disappointing first season under new coach Brian Callahan.

Warren was mocked to the New York Jets at seventh overall, an interesting landing spot for the massive tight end. If Warren did end up as the Jets selection, it would be two years in a row that they selected a former Penn State player in the first round. Left tackle Olu Fashanu was excellent for them before an injury ended his season, so adding his former teammate could give their struggling offense a big boost.

Many draft analysts thought the Jets were interested in Brock Bowers with their pick last year, but ultimately they passed on him to select Fashanu. While the jury is still out on the young offensive tackle, selecting Warren could give them the best of both worlds in a relatively weak tackle class. Especially with uncertainty at QB, the Jets would benefit from having a safety blanket for whoever ends up under center in 2025.

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ESPN’s Matt Miller ranks two Penn State players in his top 50 NFL draft prospects

ESPN’s Matt Miller recently released his top 50 NFL draft prospects. Here is where Penn State’s top prospects landed.

It’s the time of year when the NFL draft becomes the focus of many college football fan’s attention, wondering where their favorite players are ranked and what draft analysts think about them. Penn State fans are no different, and once again [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag]’s team has produced a couple of potential star players at the next level.

[autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag] had monster final seasons as Nittany Lions, both receiving multiple awards as two of the most productive players at their respective positions. Draft experts have taken notice of what they accomplished this season, including ESPN’s Matt Miller.

He recently released his current top 50 prospects for the 2025 NFL draft, and Carter and Warren were the top-ranked players at their positions. Carter is his top overall player, even ahead of two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado. Miller cited Carter’s unique blend of speed and power as an edge rusher and his rapid development in his first year playing the position full-time.

Warren landed at ninth on his board, a full 10 spots ahead of fellow Big Ten tight end Colston Loveland out of Michigan. Miller mentioned Warren’s immense versatility this season. He lined up all over the offense and made an impact as a receiver and a running threat. He also mentioned his blend of speed and size, which most tight end prospects rarely have anymore.

While he didn’t make his top 50 players, Miller also added his top five players at every position where safety Kevin Winston Jr. landed as his fourth-ranked safety. Winston Jr. had his junior season at Penn State cut short due to injury, but his decision to still declare makes sense given how highly draft experts still view him. I won’t be surprised if he continues to climb up boards once he is healthy enough to work out for teams in March.

With the draft season still in its early stages, player rankings will continue to fluctuate from now until April. With how talented Carter and Warren are, however, I don’t see their rankings changing much throughout the draft process.

REPORT: Penn State DC Tom Allen close to becoming Clemson’s defensive coordinator

REPORT: Penn State DC working toward deal with Clemson for the same role

[autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] looks set to enter his third defensive coordinator search in four years. On Monday morning, it was reported that [autotag]Tom Allen[/autotag] is nearing a deal to become Clemson’s defensive coordinator.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to break the news, reporting that “a final decision is expected in the upcoming days.”247Sports’ Matt Zenitz added that Allen has accepted the job, and the sides are working through some final details.

The deal comes just days after Penn State lost to Notre Dame 27-24 in the College Football Playoff. Franklin and Penn State hired Allen last December to replace Manny Diaz, who had taken the Duke head coaching job. Diaz replaced Brent Pry, who took the top job at Virginia Tech in 2021.

Allen had big expectations of replacing Diaz, and although he brought a different style, the results were similar. Allen led the Nittany Lions to the seventh-ranked defense nationally in yards allowed per game (294.7) and eight points allowed per game (16.5).

Penn State is now in the market for a new defensive play-caller after Franklin likely hired Allen, hoping for more than just a season with the 54-year-old coach. Continuity with his coaching staff is one of Franklin’s priorities, so look for the next hire to be made with an eye for the future, not just next year.

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Penn State’s Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton returning for 2025

Penn State star running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton are both returning to Happy Valley next season.

Penn State received a significant boost to its 2025 offense Monday afternoon when star running backs [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] and [autotag]Nicholas Singleton[/autotag] announced on social media that they would be returning to the Nittany Lions for their senior seasons.

The duo, known as the “Lawn Boyz,” committed to Penn State in 2022, knowing they’d be working in tandem. The explosion of NIL across college football made it inevitable for one of the former five-star backs to find a home elsewhere where they could be the lead back. [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider pulled off the rare feat of keeping two starting running backs.

Singleton and Allen were arguably the nation’s top running back duos in the country after both hit the 1,000-yard mark this season. Allen rushed for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Singleton had a similar stat line, rushing for 1,009 yards with 12 touchdowns. Singleton showed his explosiveness, ranking fourth in the Big Ten with 6.4 yards per carry.

The running backs join starting quarterback [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] as three offensive stalwarts returning for 2025. Offensive coordinator [autotag]Andy Kotelnicki[/autotag] will have one of college football’s top backfields entering next season.

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This brutal James Franklin stat after Notre Dame loss is damning

This is rough.

James Franklin is a good college football coach on paper.

Just look at his overall stats at Penn State as their head coach for the past 11 years: 101-41 overall. Bowl appearances in all but one of his years (and that year happened to be 2020). His teams have finished top-10 in the AP poll four times.

THE BIGGEST LOSER FROM NOTRE DAME’S WIN: That would be … Brian Kelly!

But he’s going to continue to be criticized for not winning in big games. And after the loss to Notre Dame on Thursday night in the College Football Playoff semifinals, it’s continuing.

Here’s a stat for you: Franklin’s Penn State teams are 1-15 against teams ranked in the top-five. That’s downright damning.

Not much you can say there. He’s going to be followed by that until he wins a “big game” or two.

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Why Wisconsin football fans should root for Penn State to win the national title

Why Wisconsin fans should root for Penn State to win the national title

The Penn State Nittany Lions face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff semifinal (Orange Bowl) on Thursday night.

The game is the first of two CFP semifinals — Ohio State plays Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday.

Related: Big Ten Football Power Rankings after bowl season, CFP quarterfinals: Ohio State is back

Some in the college football world are bracing for a worst-case scenario with either Penn State or Notre Dame playing for a national title. Today, I’m here to argue that Wisconsin fans should put aside any dislike for James Franklin’s team, whether due to the 2016 Big Ten title game or any of the Badgers’ six straight losses to the East Coast rival.

The reason: Penn State defeating Notre Dame and winning the national title is in the best interests of the future of Wisconsin football.

Here’s why.

The reality of the new College Football Playoff format.

Penn State, which finished the regular season 11-1 before a Big Ten title loss to Oregon, undeniably caught a favorable path through the playoff. It began at home against ACC runner-up SMU. The 38-10 final score tells an accurate story of how the game played out. The Nittany Lions then faced Mountain West champion Boise State. While the game was closer than the 31-14 final score portrays, the Broncos were far from the quality of other potential quarterfinal opponents (Georgia, Oregon).

The Nittany Lions’ path to and through the CFP is a blueprint the Badgers must follow if they are to reach this stage. Wisconsin is unlikely to win the Big Ten given the conference’s top powers. An at-large bid is the program’s most feasible way into the field. Once the Badgers make it, they will likely need a path like the one Penn State has taken to this point.

The benefit of the doubt.

This is the most important factor. Either Penn State or Ohio State could win the national title and achieve this for the rest of the Big Ten.

Put simply: the SEC currently receives the benefit of the doubt from college football fans and media. Alabama, which went 9-3 during the regular season with losses to Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, received a groundswell of national support after Indiana fell to Notre Dame 27-17 in the CFP first round. Many argued that Indiana, despite going 11-1 during the regular season, should not have made the field due to its manageable schedule. The argument stated that Alabama or South Carolina’s 9-3 records were more impressive, given the circumstances.

The Crimson Tide then lost their bowl game to Michigan, ending the conversation surrounding their perceived quality. South Carolina and several other SEC teams losing head-to-head matchups against Big Ten opponents further eliminated that argument.

Looking forward, an all-Big Ten national title game would continue to shift that conversation.

This is pertinent for Wisconsin fans because the team’s best path to the CFP is an Indiana-like season — an 11-1 or 10-2 record against a manageable schedule (for Big Ten standards). The Badgers are sure to make the field under those circumstances if the Big Ten is given the same benefit of the doubt that the SEC currently receives.

In other words, a Penn State national title would establish the Big Ten as the best conference in the sport. Wisconsin would benefit from that perception.

A valuable measuring stick.

Penn State does not provide Wisconsin a blueprint for on-field success, as the Badgers won’t be able to replicate Penn State’s talent level. The Nittany Lions’ class of 2024 finished No. 14 in the nation, their class of 2023 finished No. 15, class of 2022 No. 8, and so on. They are the most talented team in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Oregon.

Luke Fickell currently has the Badgers hovering around the top 25 of each recruiting class — a significant step above the program’s classic recruiting performance. Even if Fickell brings those classes a step or two higher, the team would still fall far behind Penn State’s top-of-the-sport talent level.

But Penn State does present a valuable measuring stick for the Badgers. Wisconsin had Penn State on the ropes when the two teams met on Oct. 26. While it’s challenging to look at one result and extrapolate through an entire season, Wisconsin should be able to find a silver lining in its 5-7 2024 campaign if it arguably should’ve beaten the eventual national champion.

Summary.

These takeaways all consider what’s best for Wisconsin long-term. A Penn State national title provides a clear path through the CFP as an at-large from the Big Ten, it will hand the conference the benefit of the doubt nationally and, most significantly, it may show that Wisconsin isn’t as far off as we all believe.

All of those reasons should outweigh any dislike of Franklin or the Nittany Lions. A Penn State national title in the best interest of Wisconsin football.

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