Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/368554
T H E M O N T H I N . . . For his part, Franklin admittedly likes things big, inclusive and relationship-based. So an average of seven captains per team for his four-year head coaching career sounds about right. This year, it makes sense. Leadership is key for his first Penn State team, a group definitely in transition. MIKE POORMAN STATECOLLEGE.COM As we'd say down South, Penn State football coach James Franklin could talk a squir- rel out of an acorn tree. When the lights are on, the first-year Penn State coach is ab- solutely charming. Heck, at the end of the team's annual media day on Monday, he made sure to wish everyone in the throng to have a nice day. It was quite a departure from being referred to in a derogatory manner as "you guys" or getting scowled at from behind the microphone. WALT MOODY CENTRE DAILY TIMES Is Franklin proven as a game-day coach at the highest level? Absolutely not. But was the 42-year-old Pennsylvania native the right man for the job? Absolutely. TEDDY GREENSTEIN CHICAGO TRIBUNE Players, to a man, say they're excited to play for this staff. The staff says it is excited to get to better know the players. The combination brings about a reality. Nobody knows much right now. There's a lot of hope at Penn State. Far more hope than guar- antees. DONNIE COLLINS THE SCRANTON TIMES-TRIBUNE Growing up an East Coaster, I have always had a deep passion for this university, for its athletic department, and most importantly, growing up a football fan, I have had a passion and an interest and an admiration for Penn State football. Yes, they were the beast of the East. I have no doubt that we will return to that under Coach Franklin, but I have much higher aspirations than to dominate the East and the conference. We aspire to national championships in each and every one of our 31 sports. SANDY BARBOUR This [true freshman] class might be the most athletic class of this team. ... They tested very well throughout the summer. Then when we played basketball this summer, I'm like, "All right, I've got some athletes over here." JORDAN LUCAS I live a fairly pathetic existence. I don't have any hobbies or anything like that. It's my family, the coaches I work with and the players. I have a few friends outside [of football] but I love getting to know [players such as] Mike Hull and what makes them tick. JAMES FRANKLIN Being an offensive lineman isn't just a choice – it's a lifestyle. Love coaching the men on the #LionOfScrimmage. HERB HAND @CoachHand T W E E T S O P I N I O N S Q U O T E S