Coach first and foremost, it's great to see you. It's twenty twenty four and there's a buzz in the air. There's a smell of confidence. There's a lot of things that are on the table that weren't on the table last year. The playoff has changed, the landscape of football is continuing to change. How is coach Franklin approaching this season? How have you prepared yourself for what's in front of you for this season?

Coach first and foremost, it's great to see you. It's twenty twenty four and there's a buzz in the air. There's a smell of confidence. There's a lot of things that are on the table that weren't on the table last year. The playoff has changed, the landscape of football is continuing to change. How is coach Franklin approaching this season? How have you prepared yourself for what's in front of you for this season?

You didn't mention the smell of cut fresh grass to cut fresh grass.

You didn't mention the smell of cut fresh grass to cut fresh grass.

Yeah, a whole lot of construction going on, kinds of good stuff.

Yeah, a whole lot of construction going on, kinds of good stuff.

I mean they won't say, you know, a lot of people say Joe built a lot of what has become of Penn State. If people are paying attention, they can't go without saying James Franklin is building a lot of things that are becoming permanent of Penn State.

I mean they won't say, you know, a lot of people say Joe built a lot of what has become of Penn State. If people are paying attention, they can't go without saying James Franklin is building a lot of things that are becoming permanent of Penn State.

So there you go.

So there you go.

We mentioned that because the stadium renovations have been amazing. Obviously, Pat Kraft being a major part and a major you know, help and ally to what your efforts have been.

We mentioned that because the stadium renovations have been amazing. Obviously, Pat Kraft being a major part and a major you know, help and ally to what your efforts have been.

But let's talk about it. I mean fresh grass.

But let's talk about it. I mean fresh grass.

Like all of it all fresh, and they should say that about Joe right.

Like all of it all fresh, and they should say that about Joe right.

You know, yeah, he earned that, Yes he did.

You know, yeah, he earned that, Yes he did.

And I think your point about Pat is great because we've been able to get a lot of things done in my eleven years that needed to be done desperately. But since Pat's got here, that process has spent a little aggressive. It's sped up, and he's an aggressive dude, as you know, as you know, so I think that's been really really valuable because things that have been dragging on, like the training table, you need to come over and have dinner there. I think we're probably the only top fifteen program in the country that hadn't had a football training table, So having that, what's going on in the stadium, it's a huge project, but the reality is it's needed. It is what it is. So just a ton of really good things going on. He just signed a new contract, so that stability, I think is more important than it's ever been in college football and college athletics. And with him leading the pack, I think that's significant.

And I think your point about Pat is great because we've been able to get a lot of things done in my eleven years that needed to be done desperately. But since Pat's got here, that process has spent a little aggressive. It's sped up, and he's an aggressive dude, as you know, as you know, so I think that's been really really valuable because things that have been dragging on, like the training table, you need to come over and have dinner there. I think we're probably the only top fifteen program in the country that hadn't had a football training table, So having that, what's going on in the stadium, it's a huge project, but the reality is it's needed. It is what it is. So just a ton of really good things going on. He just signed a new contract, so that stability, I think is more important than it's ever been in college football and college athletics. And with him leading the pack, I think that's significant.

Playoffs, you're ranked eighth in the poll. A lot of people don't like the polls. They want to see guys play first, A lot of people subscribe to the polls, but nonetheless, you have done well.

Playoffs, you're ranked eighth in the poll. A lot of people don't like the polls. They want to see guys play first, A lot of people subscribe to the polls, but nonetheless, you have done well.

In the recruiting, even through all the.

In the recruiting, even through all the.

Nil you have built a team, You've built a coaching stab, new coordinators. But nonetheless, the Raiders see something. The people out there raiding the team see it. And have you guys in the top ten, how you feel about it?

Nil you have built a team, You've built a coaching stab, new coordinators. But nonetheless, the Raiders see something. The people out there raiding the team see it. And have you guys in the top ten, how you feel about it?

Well, as you know, it's nice for conversations like this and for fans and for season ticket sales and all that kind of stuff. But besides that, it don't It don't mean a whole lot.

Well, as you know, it's nice for conversations like this and for fans and for season ticket sales and all that kind of stuff. But besides that, it don't It don't mean a whole lot.

You gotta go win.

You gotta go win.

We gotta go win, We gotta go play well. We got a tough opponent, which you're very familiar with. I'm familiar with when I was at the University of Maryland with my guy Ricardo. We played them a bunch and it is a tough environment. There's no NFL team, The whole state revolves around the Mountaineers. It'll be it'll be an intense environment. But like I said, you gotta play well. The rankings are great, they're not ranked, which I think is a travesty. They won nine games last year. If you watched the Houston game, that was a devastating loss for them, the loss on a hail mary So really you should have won ten games last year, finished the.

We gotta go win, We gotta go play well. We got a tough opponent, which you're very familiar with. I'm familiar with when I was at the University of Maryland with my guy Ricardo. We played them a bunch and it is a tough environment. There's no NFL team, The whole state revolves around the Mountaineers. It'll be it'll be an intense environment. But like I said, you gotta play well. The rankings are great, they're not ranked, which I think is a travesty. They won nine games last year. If you watched the Houston game, that was a devastating loss for them, the loss on a hail mary So really you should have won ten games last year, finished the.

Season against US. They had they had success with US.

Season against US. They had they had success with US.

I know their line is different than what it was last year, but they do have the quarterback their offensive line. If they're creating and generating blockers like they did last year, I mean, they have a very nice blocking scheme. I mean their run game was pretty good. So it is a pretty good team. Watching the game in Dublin, watching Florida State versus Georgia Tech.

I know their line is different than what it was last year, but they do have the quarterback their offensive line. If they're creating and generating blockers like they did last year, I mean, they have a very nice blocking scheme. I mean their run game was pretty good. So it is a pretty good team. Watching the game in Dublin, watching Florida State versus Georgia Tech.

It's one of those games. It's considered a.

It's one of those games. It's considered a.

Competitive game, but it's supposed to be a game that Florida State's win, supposed to win. Penn State comes into this game, it is in a hostile environment. You guys are going up against what you it's a it's a legit opponent. How do you prepare for that? Is that something you bring up to the guys like, Okay, what happened to atsu?

Competitive game, but it's supposed to be a game that Florida State's win, supposed to win. Penn State comes into this game, it is in a hostile environment. You guys are going up against what you it's a it's a legit opponent. How do you prepare for that? Is that something you bring up to the guys like, Okay, what happened to atsu?

Don't don't think you're better than what you are? Like? How what? What has been the approach this week been to the game? Yeah?

Don't don't think you're better than what you are? Like? How what? What has been the approach this week been to the game? Yeah?

So last week, for that reason, we practiced early in the morning on Saturday to give everybody the day rest of the day, the players time to watch college football. So we got done right, around the time that game was kicking off and everybody got a chance to watch it, which I think was good. But to me, I tried to kind of show the parallels. You look at the Florida State Georgia Tech score the year before, you look at our score the year before. Everybody's predicting that Florida State's gonna win that game, and I think Florida State approach it that way and their mind is a dub and then before you know it, it's fourteen all and they in a dog fight. And the longer that happens, the more confidence a team like Georgia Tech gets. So it was good for our guys to see. It was a good discussion for us to have again last year is nice, but this team is this team, and we got to make sure that we're prepared and handle our business. And I've been pleased so far with our guys have approached things.

So last week, for that reason, we practiced early in the morning on Saturday to give everybody the day rest of the day, the players time to watch college football. So we got done right, around the time that game was kicking off and everybody got a chance to watch it, which I think was good. But to me, I tried to kind of show the parallels. You look at the Florida State Georgia Tech score the year before, you look at our score the year before. Everybody's predicting that Florida State's gonna win that game, and I think Florida State approach it that way and their mind is a dub and then before you know it, it's fourteen all and they in a dog fight. And the longer that happens, the more confidence a team like Georgia Tech gets. So it was good for our guys to see. It was a good discussion for us to have again last year is nice, but this team is this team, and we got to make sure that we're prepared and handle our business. And I've been pleased so far with our guys have approached things.

I had an opportunity to see you guys practice. The pace is very fast. It's like it's like a it's a pro style type of approach to if from my observation, very quick paced practices, the tempo, the approach, the attitude, the demeanor of guys, is very very workman like. How do you feel about watching the way they they they practiced, watching the way they prepare the coaches is there? It looks as though there's a maturity, is what maybe what I was looking for within the ranks of the players that you have.

I had an opportunity to see you guys practice. The pace is very fast. It's like it's like a it's a pro style type of approach to if from my observation, very quick paced practices, the tempo, the approach, the attitude, the demeanor of guys, is very very workman like. How do you feel about watching the way they they they practiced, watching the way they prepare the coaches is there? It looks as though there's a maturity, is what maybe what I was looking for within the ranks of the players that you have.

Do you see it being because you lost a lot of guys from.

Do you see it being because you lost a lot of guys from.

Last year, but it still seems to be a lot of experience that you're bringing into this year's team.

Last year, but it still seems to be a lot of experience that you're bringing into this year's team.

Is that Is that an.

Is that Is that an.

Accurate, you know, kind of advantage of Because I was impressed, I gotta I gotta say I was impressed.

Accurate, you know, kind of advantage of Because I was impressed, I gotta I gotta say I was impressed.

I mean, defensive line from Zane.

I mean, defensive line from Zane.

I know Abdul's moving up and going to be moving around somewhat, but just the way, you know, denying all of those guys and Devon, it just seemed as though, and obviously I'm a big fan of Kobe, A.

I know Abdul's moving up and going to be moving around somewhat, but just the way, you know, denying all of those guys and Devon, it just seemed as though, and obviously I'm a big fan of Kobe, A.

Big fan of Kobe, went over with Jay One and.

Big fan of Kobe, went over with Jay One and.

With the running backs and seeing the way they were working all the way to the back. It was not one running back that wasn't attacking it the same way that Nick and k Tron were attacking the drills and attacking the practice. It just seems as though there is a level of intensity that you guys have a firm understanding of what's at state for Penn State football.

With the running backs and seeing the way they were working all the way to the back. It was not one running back that wasn't attacking it the same way that Nick and k Tron were attacking the drills and attacking the practice. It just seems as though there is a level of intensity that you guys have a firm understanding of what's at state for Penn State football.

You know, in my mind, what you just described is our culture, and what I mean by that is that gets passed on from generation to generation. So the seniors last year or the juniors that left, they've passed that how we practice, how we go about our business, and we take a lot of pride in that. So I think your other point about having a veteran team, I compare it a lot to college basketball, and having a mature veteran college basketball team can take you deep into into the you know, the bracket, into the tournament, and I think it's the same way in college football. I think those things you can keep your roster together, you can develop guys, you can grow. Then I think you've got a chance to do some special things. And for the most part, as you know, you know, we dabble in the transfer portal, but we're more of a high school developmental program and solve some immediate issues in the transfer portal. That's who we've been. So I think what you're describing is culture. Our guys know how to practice, and I think if you know football and you come and you watch and say, Okay, these guys are out here two hours and how everything is organized to be as efficient as possible and maximize that practice. I think that day you ment cam Miller like how he practiced. He practiced like a pro. We use the word intentional a lot, very intentional about how they go about their business. And you know what it's supposed to look like.

You know, in my mind, what you just described is our culture, and what I mean by that is that gets passed on from generation to generation. So the seniors last year or the juniors that left, they've passed that how we practice, how we go about our business, and we take a lot of pride in that. So I think your other point about having a veteran team, I compare it a lot to college basketball, and having a mature veteran college basketball team can take you deep into into the you know, the bracket, into the tournament, and I think it's the same way in college football. I think those things you can keep your roster together, you can develop guys, you can grow. Then I think you've got a chance to do some special things. And for the most part, as you know, you know, we dabble in the transfer portal, but we're more of a high school developmental program and solve some immediate issues in the transfer portal. That's who we've been. So I think what you're describing is culture. Our guys know how to practice, and I think if you know football and you come and you watch and say, Okay, these guys are out here two hours and how everything is organized to be as efficient as possible and maximize that practice. I think that day you ment cam Miller like how he practiced. He practiced like a pro. We use the word intentional a lot, very intentional about how they go about their business. And you know what it's supposed to look like.

It looked like what it was supposed to look like. Correct me, correct Drew?

It looked like what it was supposed to look like. Correct me, correct Drew?

I mean this is we're talking about maturity. He's got a season under his belt as a starter. The one thing that a lot of times is the best teacher is adversity, and he's seen his share of adversity last season. What's your take on Drew for what he's done this offseason hitting into this season.

I mean this is we're talking about maturity. He's got a season under his belt as a starter. The one thing that a lot of times is the best teacher is adversity, and he's seen his share of adversity last season. What's your take on Drew for what he's done this offseason hitting into this season.

How you feel about him?

How you feel about him?

So a couple of things. I think, first thing, the guy does everything right, like he lives football. He don't go out. He's got the same girlfriend since high school. He's in the building all day when he's not in class, so he's living right to give himself the best chance to be successful. And now I'd say over the last two weeks have really seen an improvement from him pretty dramatic. But the other thing, as you know, it's not just him, like the tight ends making plays for him, the wide receivers making plays for him. Right now, Trey and Liam both had really good camps, and I think those guys making plays is also a big part of Drew and our success.

So a couple of things. I think, first thing, the guy does everything right, like he lives football. He don't go out. He's got the same girlfriend since high school. He's in the building all day when he's not in class, so he's living right to give himself the best chance to be successful. And now I'd say over the last two weeks have really seen an improvement from him pretty dramatic. But the other thing, as you know, it's not just him, like the tight ends making plays for him, the wide receivers making plays for him. Right now, Trey and Liam both had really good camps, and I think those guys making plays is also a big part of Drew and our success.

I'm gonna let you go with this one.

I'm gonna let you go with this one.

I know there's question Marks's question marks on maybe do we have a receiver. There's maybe question marks, you know, not playing Michigan this year, but just having Ohio State adding in the old PAC twelve teams. For you, what is your expectation for this season? Because ultimately I always say what I have to say. People think I'm an apologist at times. I've always felt like I keep it one hundred from the hit when I talk about things I talk about.

I know there's question Marks's question marks on maybe do we have a receiver. There's maybe question marks, you know, not playing Michigan this year, but just having Ohio State adding in the old PAC twelve teams. For you, what is your expectation for this season? Because ultimately I always say what I have to say. People think I'm an apologist at times. I've always felt like I keep it one hundred from the hit when I talk about things I talk about.

Do I defend you? Do I do?

Do I defend you? Do I do?

I feel that that connection one hundred percent.

I feel that that connection one hundred percent.

You're my guy. I don't make any bones about it.

You're my guy. I don't make any bones about it.

But with that, I'm still I still feel like I'm very open and honest with our community about our program, even if it comes down to me being asked about you, what's your expectation? Knowing it's a more diverse Big ten now and obviously, when the expectations are are so high for you as a coach, how do you feel going into this season?

But with that, I'm still I still feel like I'm very open and honest with our community about our program, even if it comes down to me being asked about you, what's your expectation? Knowing it's a more diverse Big ten now and obviously, when the expectations are are so high for you as a coach, how do you feel going into this season?

Well, I think the first thing I would say is what you deal with and what we deal with is the expectation of Penn State, which is phenomenal. You don't come to Penn State as a player or as a coach unless you're embracing what that means. And the expectation is to play for national championships. So I get it, we get it, and I wouldn't really want it any other way. But I think there's also the realities that you've experienced during your Penn State time. I think it's I think it's pretty dramatic when you talk about some of the experiences that you've had here against certain teams, because I think sometimes there's revisionist history. We've been one of the most consistent programs in all of college football over my eleven years here. Do I realize and know that we have to take the next step? Does everybody in the LASH building know we need to take the next step? Yes, and we embrace everything that comes with it, the good, the bad, the criticism, the pats on the back. We just got to handle our business, stay focused on a task at hand. That's West Virginia. We know what's coming down the road. We'll be talking about them each week. But we just we got to play well this week, and we got to build confidence. We got to still find our identity, because as much as you think you know your identity during training camps, you still got to see it on game day and then play to that identity, play to our strength, continue to work on some of our short shortcomings and deficiencies. But I like where we're at, and you're my guy, and the guys in that locker room are my guys, and I can't wait to get over there to Morgantown and see what it's all gonna be about. I'll have the best seat in the house.

Well, I think the first thing I would say is what you deal with and what we deal with is the expectation of Penn State, which is phenomenal. You don't come to Penn State as a player or as a coach unless you're embracing what that means. And the expectation is to play for national championships. So I get it, we get it, and I wouldn't really want it any other way. But I think there's also the realities that you've experienced during your Penn State time. I think it's I think it's pretty dramatic when you talk about some of the experiences that you've had here against certain teams, because I think sometimes there's revisionist history. We've been one of the most consistent programs in all of college football over my eleven years here. Do I realize and know that we have to take the next step? Does everybody in the LASH building know we need to take the next step? Yes, and we embrace everything that comes with it, the good, the bad, the criticism, the pats on the back. We just got to handle our business, stay focused on a task at hand. That's West Virginia. We know what's coming down the road. We'll be talking about them each week. But we just we got to play well this week, and we got to build confidence. We got to still find our identity, because as much as you think you know your identity during training camps, you still got to see it on game day and then play to that identity, play to our strength, continue to work on some of our short shortcomings and deficiencies. But I like where we're at, and you're my guy, and the guys in that locker room are my guys, and I can't wait to get over there to Morgantown and see what it's all gonna be about. I'll have the best seat in the house.

Coach, good luck. I appreciate, appreciate you.

Coach, good luck. I appreciate, appreciate you.

Hey, that's coach Franklin. Obviously this is the Franklin Show. You know, it's just with me. You know, it's quite Franklin, you know, so make sure you check it out. Some great stuff here, man, I'll tell you what. Really appreciate you coming on and well, here we go. Let's buckle up. We got a ride to go on, all right, talk to you next time. All right, disrupt you PSU. Yep, you know what it is. iHeartRadio, Fox Sports Radio, all those good things.

Hey, that's coach Franklin. Obviously this is the Franklin Show. You know, it's just with me. You know, it's quite Franklin, you know, so make sure you check it out. Some great stuff here, man, I'll tell you what. Really appreciate you coming on and well, here we go. Let's buckle up. We got a ride to go on, all right, talk to you next time. All right, disrupt you PSU. Yep, you know what it is. iHeartRadio, Fox Sports Radio, all those good things.

You know what I mean, you know, just check it out, subscribe support. All right, we're working on something here. Until next time.

You know what I mean, you know, just check it out, subscribe support. All right, we're working on something here. Until next time.