Black Shoe Diaries: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Sounder At Heart for Seattle Sounders Fans!

LJ Interviewing Elsewhere?

Its nothing more than a rumor at this point, but a disturbing one.  Someone said he's looking to interview for the Illinois DC job. 

Even if this is worthless, is this the one true negative side of Joe Pa getting an extension? I say he stays no more than 2 years, but what if a lot of our key assistants didn't want to wait that long? Could you really blame them for leaving? "Good things come when they come" is not a motto by which everyone can live their life.

I would say most fans think a head coach is going to come from in-house, so that is the only real way this becomes an issue.  I see it going either way personally.

Thanks for the fanpost! Please do not post any content from a premium site that requires a subscription. Also, if you just want to share a link consider using fanshots instead. Thanks.

0 recs  |  Comment 45 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Read the comments in the second link

There’s a lot of respect for LJ around the country.
Penn State better realize what it has before he gets away!

by NJ lion on Jan 7, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

What calm, normal person wouldn’t want to work with the Zooker?

"They haven't played us yet."

by ReadingRambler on Jan 7, 2009 2:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Totally.

--
Mr. Bob Dobalina

by Run Up The Score on Jan 7, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Is that J Leman in the blue cup?

by dawsonPSU10 on Jan 7, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

"They haven't played us yet."

by ReadingRambler on Jan 7, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

weird... I was just on that ride today...

I was in that pink cup with my 4 yr old daughter

for the record: shit thinks spinning fast sounds, and is, HOT… Daddy cannot do such things as the bad wing gets scoped / reconstructed on Friday… wish me luck!

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Jan 8, 2009 3:17 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

the pink cup with the hearts on it in the background, mind you

uhhh…. it was her choice… honest… I swear!

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Jan 8, 2009 3:19 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Good luck in your surgery

Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany

by Elihu on Jan 8, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

^^ SHE thinks spinning fast sounds, and is, HOT...

I originally had it typed as ‘she thinks spinning fast is the shit’ and somehow I mangled it when I retyped it… she is my angel, and is most certainly not, a little shit…. well, at least 98% of the time :)

thanks for the luck, Elihu… I will be relegated to typing one handed for a while… Yeah, I know… get your one-handed typing shots in now…. lol

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Jan 8, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

*Obligatory*

One-handed typing? 77% of American men call that “Thursday night”…

Although if you happen to get really good at it, you’d probably fit right in over at tWWL…

by IcersGuy on Jan 8, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

WOW

this sucks, b/c he’s our best recruiter by far. he cleaned out maryland, and if we can’t recruit maryland, good luck. we’re down to jersey and virginia

by millzners on Jan 7, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Zooker

is a Maryland Crusher too. So if they team up they would get every top prospect in the state.

Side Bar…Tavon Austin to WVU.

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Jan 7, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

It's just a natural product of Paterno being the head coach.

Put yourself in his position…you’ve either got a much “more prestigous” job elsewhere that you can interview for, or you can sit around for who knows how many years waiting for the coach to finally step down so you can get your shot. It’s unfortunately almost a no brainer. The sad thing is, it’s happened before. While a lot of people like JoePa, this is one of the sad and unfortunate things about him staying so long – the program loses talented recruiters and/or coaches.

by phantom818 on Jan 7, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

very true. the sad thing is all the talented recruiters and coaches leave eventually and what you have left are guys with either not enough talent or ambition to find another job, or guys who are loyal/comfortable with their job.

Jay is the former, Bradley is the later.

by millzners on Jan 7, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

This isn't a Paterno specific problem

It happens at all schools that have success and a stable coach. Saying we should get rid of Paterno in order to keep some of his coaches is no different than saying USC should get rid of Carroll because they lose two or three stud coaches every year.

The other thing that is a little perplexing is that LJSR has stuck around so long that the explanation “he’s tired of waiting” no longer holds water IMO. Now if he is being offered the DC position, then he’s only doing what any sane position coach at any school with a stable staff would do – take the promotion. If he’s moving to the same position at another school…well, that’s a different story.

That being said, he is very good at what he does and yes, the recruiting impact with be very much noticeable if this happens.

by Kevin HD on Jan 7, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

uncertainty

I’m not sure if the HC is in the prime of his coaching career that it’s really the same type of problem. If you’re an established guy looking for a long term job, as LJ is, then you can go with a Zook knowing you have a certain amount of job security based on Zook sticking around for a while.

With Paterno, we’re in the twilight of his career, and what we’re seeing is that guys aren’t willing to risk staying on for a completely unknown amount of time with no certainty whatsoever just for a chance at a promotion in house even if that’s what they really want.

I guess the point I’m trying to make, is that Paterno sticking around isn’t the problem, it’s this big fat question mark that he hangs out there when people ask about the elephant in the room: “what happens when you retire?” Is Bradley the guy? That would probably make LJ the DC. Pretty sweet. Why not line that up now? Why not do what ever other program in the country does when their HC is moving toward retirement?

Maybe Paterno and his entire staff are history in 3 years. Maybe the reason Paterno won’t make a commitment to his guys is because he can’t, because Spanier’s got other plans. Maybe that’s a good thing and LJ is smart for leaving now. Either way I wish him the best. But damnit it’s going to really hurt this program if he does leave.

by millzners on Jan 7, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

No job security with Zooker

Let’s face it: Zook is probably not long for Illinois. He is a very good recruiter but an equally lousy coach. He proved this at Florida and he’s proven it again at Illinois. They had a nice little run in ‘07, with some typically Zook-ish hiccups, and ended up losing four games. And then they badly regressed this year, losing to Western Michigan with a 6-6 season (and bowl berth) on the line. Another two years like this and I predict the Illinois admin will make the same calculation Florida’s did in ‘04: Damn, look at all this talent we have — why don’t we get someone in here who actually knows how to coach it?

by JBusinger on Jan 7, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Someone...

on scout brought up some good points. Why would Evans and Maybin stay to be taught by someone completely different?

And not to mention the Maryland pipeline taking a hit. Who knows if we would actually lose anyone in this years class due to him leaving.

I was out in the trenches, which enables me to paint such a powerful picture, like Apocalypse Now.-Cormega

by OMEGAMAN on Jan 7, 2009 3:15 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Sean Stanley

i could see him bolting if LJSR goes.

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Jan 7, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

It is generally considered...

…very poor form to take recruits with you when you leave. Case in point, D’Anton Lynn stayed committed to Penn State even though the guy who recrutied him took a job at a school about a thousand miles closer to his house. That is not a coincidence.

I think that for the most part this recruitng class would stay put, but kiss that Jenkins kid goodbye.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Jan 7, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Jenkins

is a Florida Gator. he is just waiting to announce on February 4th.

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Jan 7, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not buying the Evans and Maybin thing.

Not yet, anyway. When you lose a HC and have no idea how you fit into a new system, that is understandable, but the DC and all other position coaches would most likely still be in place. They aren’t being forced to learn anything different as far as systems go and it poses no risks at all to their playing time. If anything it’s a chance to learn a couple new things LJSR didn’t show them; the players are certainly not going to get worse. Besides all that, they have a chance to be part of a truly nasty defense that will more than likely raise their stock in the eyes of NFL scouts because of how much better they will looking playing with other great players.

To me this would have little to do with an NFL decision, unless there is something I’m missing. It’s all about your draft projection, how accurate you think it is, how much money you stand to make, and how much you enjoy college.

That being said, I am not a world class athlete and don’t play for a major college football team.

by Kevin HD on Jan 7, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

You're just a world-class blogger and play for a major college football blog

‘how much money you stand to make’….in toto in all your years in the league. I’d like to see more considerations of their total career potential…..vs. just the first couple years of their big money contract, compiled with poor development and getting cut and being out of the league in 3yrs.

pax et amor

by jtothep on Jan 7, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, let me know if this is going too far

I’m seriously considering entering a prayer request at church on Sunday for LJ Sr to stay! Okay, not really but the thought crossed my mind. Man, I really hope he doesn’t leave. He’s our most valuable “all around” coach. His kids produce on the field, he gets them in the league, and he is a feared recruiter! We won’t effectively replace him if he leaves.

Lets take up a donation to keep him!!!!!! :-)

by RNF18 on Jan 7, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Is it okay that I'm kind of indifferent to this whole thing?

Maybe I just don’t have the energy to care today. It’s big news, though.

This wouldn’t even remotely be a big deal if we had a head coach who was an active recruiter, but LJ is one of the guys who does the bulk of the heavy lifting in our recruiting, especially in the D.C. and Maryland region. He’s produced a number of first round draft picks, far more than any other coach on the staff. I know he was pissed off at how Paterno handled the Taylor/Baker situation, and I can’t help thinking that at least two of the guys (Evans and supposedly Bowman) who are considering jumping to the NFL see the writing on the wall with respect to LJ and figure that now is a good time to bolt.

Okay, I’m not so indifferent anymore. But let’s just say I don’t necessarily blame him for looking around.

--
Mr. Bob Dobalina

by Run Up The Score on Jan 7, 2009 4:10 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

If, and its a big if at this point...

he decided to leave, how do you tell a replacement that we can only guarantee you 1 year here, maybe 2? I still think that there is no way Joe Pa goes all 3 years, hence the “shorten if necessary” clause in the contract. How do you get a quality guy who is better then him (I assume we’re always looking for the best in regards to coaches) with that type of job security?

I was out in the trenches, which enables me to paint such a powerful picture, like Apocalypse Now.-Cormega

by OMEGAMAN on Jan 7, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

this is exactly the point i was making early.

You can’t replace him, you can just promote from within — some other loyal coordinator. With no plan, no certainty, and so obviously close to the end of an era at PSU we’re in for a really rough couple of years.

by millzners on Jan 7, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

No, it's not ok.

Glad you came around and dropped the indifference.

If it comes back, you could always go back to the david jones trough, swing from his nuts some more and post whatever he says as yours ;)

pax et amor

by jtothep on Jan 7, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

that dude brought me beer for the glorious BSD tailgate

you have to go through me to get to him…. well, I may throw others in front of me with my one good wing to slow you down, though

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Jan 8, 2009 3:23 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Whew!

thanks for the backup. I hope I don’t see a bob dobalinassin visit anytime here soon.

pax et amor

by jtothep on Jan 8, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

F U...and yes...I love the guy

He can recruit and coach with the best of them….he would have a field day w/ PSU’s talent and money…the guy is awesome

by SweepTheLeg on Jan 7, 2009 9:34 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

:::meanwhile in the weird and twisted head that belongs to TheMightyErik:::

 what the hell is STL on about? The Zooker the object of his affection? What could possibly drive a man to love such a being?

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member

by TheMightyErik on Jan 8, 2009 3:25 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

He has mancrushes

On Zook and Herm Edwards, perhaps the two worst gameday coaches in football.

--
Mr. Bob Dobalina

by Run Up The Score on Jan 8, 2009 9:38 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

RE: Zook

Yes, he can recruit. No, he can’t coach. That’s why he was run out of UF and that’s why you’ll see that 2007 will be his best year and the guy finished 9-4 I believe.

by RNF18 on Jan 8, 2009 8:24 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Start posting about the Nittany Lions »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Lenny_small
A preview of the game from the Ohio State perspective
Cairo_small
HATE WEEK: OHIO $TATE
Lioneye_edited_small
Ohio State Photoshop Thread
Scan0008_small
'Twas the Night Before Zugfest....
Cairo_small
HATE WEEK: Northwestern Wildcats

Recent FanPosts

Small
SMASH!
Drnick_small
Preparing for the post-Paterno era
Small
JoePA named GOP president candidate in 2012
Daryll_clark1_small
Recruiting following saturday's game?
Goodbadugly_small
Questions on a couple plays
1018081638_small
Posting On The Fly [UPDATE]
We_suck_small
Best Case Scenario?
Lion_small
TAILGATING ISSUES
Ylogoone_small
Two upsides of the game
Soa_and_me_small
Is it time to start Newsome?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS


Managers

Lioneye_edited_small BSD

Editors

Reporter_small Kevin HD

Image_small Run Up The Score

Official Partner of CBS Sports