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Nashville last week to meet with Franklin; it included Guadagnino, who has worked for the university primarily on governance reform issues, and Julie Del Giorno, the university's athletics integrity officer, a position that doesn't exist at other universities. Joyner said he was especially appreciative when North Carolina State athletic director Debbie Yow, who was AD at Maryland from 1994 to 2010, called him unsolicited. Not just because she had worked with Franklin, but because she's a woman. "I'm interested in what men have to say, too, but I think it was very significant for everybody, what Deb Yow had to say and her respect for James," Joyner said. "I'm very appreciative to her for her forthrightness in reaching out to me. That was very, very helpful. It confirmed our feelings about him as well." Erickson said that he was also impressed that Franklin had asked smart questions, among them about the upcoming change in leadership, and the intricacies of the NCAA sanctions. In turn, Erickson said, he asked Franklin about the radio interview, the rape case and his views on academics and success in life. And, of course, the public perception of the hire was discussed as well. "PR is part of every conversation now, right?" Guadagnino said. "But you never know what you don't know. So there's always some risk when you do anything. So you ask as many questions as you think are appropriate. He's terrific. I think he's very honest and open and answered all of our questions in ways that we liked." There were no pre-set answers the officials wanted, Guadagnino said. Everyone just wanted to get a sense of who Franklin is through those answers. Said Guadagnino: "My own view – I only met him for a short period of time – is that he's open, he's direct, he looks you in the eye. He doesn't look away. … He didn't flinch, he didn't hesitate and stammer. He's open and direct and forthcoming, and there's a good feeling you get from that." I Returning Penn State players wish O'Brien, Robinson well No hard feelings. Not from Adam Breneman, anyway. The sophomore tight end may have come to Penn State in part for the opportunity to play under Bill O'Brien, but when the Nittany Lions' coach left for the NFL in early January, he kept his players abreast of what was happening, and they appreciated his candor. "It obviously was tough. I was recruited by Coach O'BRIEN O'Brien and obviously wanted to play for Coach O'Brien, Breneman said. "At the " same time, it's a business. College football is a business, and he had to do what's best for him. He's going to be a great coach in the NFL." Breneman was one of the high-profile members of Penn State's 2013 recruiting class, and his resolve to play for the Nittany Lions even after the NCAA levied an array of heavy sanctions in 2012 made him a popular figure among Penn State fans. Some of those same fans were harshly critical of O'Brien for leaving, but Breneman said he understood the coach's rationale for accepting the Houston Texans' offer. "At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for yourself, Brene" man said. "Coach O'Brien had a great opportunity that he couldn't pass up. " O'Brien, meanwhile, did a bit of fence-mending with Penn State fans, who were disappointed not only with his departure but also with a comment he made to The Patriot-News of Harrisburg in which he complained about the "Paterno people" whose obsession with Joe Paterno had, he felt, made his job harder. Or at least more exasperating. On Jan. 14, during an appearance on ESPN Radio, O'Brien backtracked a bit, acknowledging the support that he and his staff had received at Penn State. "I felt very good about the support I had there," he said, "and I apologize [to those who] took that conversation obviously the wrong way. I regret that conversation, but again, Penn State is a special place and Penn State is going to be in a great place in the coming years." It would be a better place in 2014 if Allen Robinson were returning. But shortly after O'Brien announced his departure, the star receiver followed him out the door, announcing on Jan. 2 that he was planning to forgo his senior season in order to enter the NFL Draft. Robinson was named the Big Ten's Receiver of the Year each of the past two seasons and finished his career ranked second in school history in receptions (177) and third in receiving yards (2,474). "I'm excited for him," quarterback Christian Hackenberg said. "He's got to do what's best for him, and I guess now is a good time. He's going to do a great job and be very successful." With Robinson gone, Hackenberg is eager to see who steps forward, especially with coach James Franklin's offense likely to be just as receiverfriendly as O'Brien's was. "We've got a lot of young guys who we didn't get a chance to see a lot last year – Geno Lewis, Richy Anderson, a bunch of those guys," Hackenberg said. "We'll see how they do this spring, and we're going to do whatever we can to be successful in that regard." – MATT HERB

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