Assistant coaches the secret in PSU's success
James Franklin is a high-energy, headlining football CEO.
The rest of his Nittany Lions' staff is pretty much a low-key, behind-the-scenes operation.
No former big-time head coaches. No splashy names. No intrigue.
And yet these are the guys most responsible for another torrid Penn State recruiting start — one that feels more sturdy than others.
They have built the foundation of this early Top Five ranking. They are the ones constantly evaluating and communicating with prospects.
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They are bringing the prized fish to the side of the boat in record numbers.
"They're not recruiting well because James Franklin is dynamic," Brian Dohn, a national analyst with Scout.com, said of the Lions. "They're recruiting well because (the assistants) are good at what they do ... and you have James who can close the deal."
Dohn judges Penn State this way: When recruits speak of other programs, they usually highlight one or two assistants from each. But when they talk of Penn State, "they talk about everyone."
"There's always a lot of love given to the assistant coaches there," Dohn said. "They work together. James and his assistants work well together."
For the first time in decades, Penn State's football staff seems congruous in age, vision, work ethic and style. They also finally have impressive on-field ammunition to work with again.
And they are taking advantage.
Which doesn't guarantee they will suddenly pull in elite talent from recruiting hotbeds like Florida, Louisiana and California — though they have turned heads with two verbal commitments from Texas.
It also doesn't mean their efforts always will go smoothly, as some expect. Because when you start pressing harder for top talent, you go head-to-head more intensely with Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Florida State.
The rowing gets better but tougher at the same time.
And yet look at what they've already accomplished seven months before December's new signing day:
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They've locked down two of the nation's top tight ends and one of the fastest-rising receivers. They may have the nation's most coveted quarterback. And one of the best tailbacks. Lately, they've been adding offensive linemen, including the highest-rated left tackle since Franklin arrived.
They are in a better place to absorb losing a commitment from Harrisburg star defender Micah Parsons, at least for now.
The Lions are doing everything better because of their assistants.
Altoona's Brent Pry certainly wasn't a splashy defensive coordinator pick. But he has turned down lower-level head coaching jobs. And his unit seems on the brink of a breakout season.
On offense, few beyond industry insiders gushed about hiring coordinator Joe Moorhead two Decembers ago. Now, he's becoming known as one of the best in-game tacticians in America.
Cornerbacks coach Terry Smith quietly cuts a large image in the critical Western Pennsylvania recruiting area. It helps that Moorhead and new offensive line coach Matt Limegrover have ties there, too.
We could keep going ...
The staff is evaluating prospects and targeting them earlier than the competition. And their evaluations, for the most part, have impressed.
Consider that Franklin and his staff were about the only ones who wanted Trace McSorley as a quarterback. Most everyone else saw him as a safety.
This year they desperately needed linebackers and landed three of them with months to spare, including Jesse Luketa, who's recruiting profile continues to expand. And Nick Tarburton, who may be the most intriguing class member so far.
"When I watch him on film I'm like, 'Boy, that's what a Penn State middle linebacker should look like,'" Dohn said of Tarburton. "But I also think, 'Geez, he could turn out to be a defensive end or really put on weight and be a really good tackle."
Franklin's accolades come from putting together this staff and then improving it by design 16 months ago. All indicators show he's ready when the next move is needed.
At Penn State, with so many resources and such dramatic tradition, its more important to manage and lead expertly, than to be some kind of defensive genius or quarterback guru.
Hire the right guys to lay your groundwork. Find trusted coordinators and get out of their way and let them coach.
Franklin's doing that.
Which should drive this team to defend its Big Ten title more than most ever realize.