LJSr v. Scrap
by Jeff Junstrom on Mar 29, 2009 9:29 PM EDT
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PrintThe origin article: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4022146
Another key returnee is defensive line assistant coach Larry Johnson, who interviewed for the Illinois defensive coordinator job but ended up staying at Penn State. Paterno said he had been worried about losing Johnson, one of his top recruiters, but told him he didn't need to be a coordinator to eventually take a head-coaching job.
Setting aside your theories on seniority and how much Scrap has done for the program, who would you really like to see inherit the best coaching position in the country in probably the next two years?
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LJ Sr
Bradley has done a lot of great things for this program, but the real star of the coaching staff is LJ Sr. His lines have been by far the most consistent part of Penn State’s team year in and year out. He’s developing NFL talent every season. He’s also the top recruiter, bringing in more diverse talent than anyone, even on offense. Bradley on the other hand, has found himself in a bit of hot water over his DB’s and the schemes he’s employing. USC was inexcusable, and so was MSU 2007 — those games highlight a big problem that he’s responsible for.
When you have a young, charismatic, and highly sought after guy in LJ you HAVE to capitolize on him. You cannot afford to allow things like loyalty, or ‘he put his dues in’ get in the way of what could be a great coach.
I firmly endorse LJ, and I wish Bradley all the best.
That being said, it’s just my honest opinion and I’m no expert.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
LJSr
While Joe said that you don’t need to be a coordinator to jump to head coach, what are the chances that LJSr was “promised” a DC spot inside of two years with Bradley being named coach, with some other assurances that Bradley won’t take the JoePa route? I know you can’t tell someone like Bradley when to retire, but is there any possibility that Joe told both of them that Bradley would be HC for a few seasons and LJSr was the heir apparent? This all sounds like a depth chart issue…seems eerily familiar to all of our Newsome and PJ comments.
by Jeff Junstrom on Mar 29, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
it's impossible to say
but despite it all, Joe wants to leave with a guy in the position to take our team to multiple NC’s. He wants to leave with the program on top, and stable for decades.
Furthermore, consider this: each of the last 100 years (Save for one season w/ an interim HC) we’ve been coached by a HC that is currently in the NCAAF hall of fame. Is Bradley HoF material? Is LJ?
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
may i also suggest adding a poll to your post?
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
If I knew
how to create a poll, I would. If someone educates me on the intricacies of the poll, or if an administrator wants to add it on their own, that would be phenomenal.
by Jeff Junstrom on Mar 29, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously, I would vote for player-coach everytime, it'd be fun
Although, I hope they hire Daryll Clark instead of Zug. I want to see that awesome fist pump every time he makes a good play call.
"Breaststroke, free style," Rubin said of his technique, "Let’s see Phelps do that one."
by ReadingRambler on Mar 29, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions
Seriously?
Although, I hope they hire Daryll Clark instead of Zug.
From Rambler? The biggest Zug devotee out here?
Allow me to demonstrate
“Player-coach Zug, what play should we run?”
SILENT
“Oh, nevermind. You’re just going to say ‘VAPORIZE’ like always.”
“I’ll just do it myself.”
CLARK TAKES SNAP AND RUNS
FIST PUMP!
REMAINS SILENT
As you can see, Clark is a much better leader.
"Breaststroke, free style," Rubin said of his technique, "Let’s see Phelps do that one."
by ReadingRambler on Mar 30, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
also: can change uniforms mid-play
impressive!
by The JuggerNitt on Mar 30, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
additionally:plays against 2 teams at once
double impressive!
by The JuggerNitt on Mar 30, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
man, he scrambled 700 miles on that play
no wonder he had time to change uniforms
by The JuggerNitt on Mar 30, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Also wears suit and tie on sideline!
What a class act!
"Breaststroke, free style," Rubin said of his technique, "Let’s see Phelps do that one."
by ReadingRambler on Mar 30, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Confusion
Am I the only one who is confused by the statement “best coaching position in the country in probably the next two years”? I mean, Paterno has a contract for 3 years, right?
3 years, yes
But the contractual language states that the agreement can be ended “at the request of either party.” Essentially the contract is a meaningless piece of paper that was probably supposed to help abate all the “How much longer can you coach?” questions. I’m willing to bet that Joe goes for two more years, as he is 17 wins from 400. IMO, the best scenario following Joe’s retiring is Bradley being named HC, LJSr going to DC, and then Bradley coaching 5-10 years (until he is about 60), then hanging up his spikes for LJSr.
by Jeff Junstrom on Mar 30, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
JayPa
Maybe Joe said “didn’t need to be a coordinator to eventually take a head-coaching job” because he wants Jay to get the nod.
Do I think that will happen? I’m not sure and I don’t think anyone else can say for sure.
As for LJ Sr. or Bradley, I’m fine with either. Of course the media and the majority of recruits would salivate over an african-american head coach.
"I was looking for four things. Honesty, loyalty, trustworthiness and a man of character. Joe Paterno has all of that." - Derrick Williams
by Stately NOVA Lion on Mar 30, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions
It is a tough choice
which is good, because it pretty much means we can’t go wrong. I say Bradley, though, because it keeps the order of things “normal”.
I would like LJSr as head coach as well, because I think he’s one of the most exciting, energetic coaches around, plus it would add a lot of hype that “manilla” Penn State has a black head coach (but that shouldn’t be a factor in the decision, even though it inevitibly will be. Hire Bradley and some people will say it is because PSU is racist, or hire LJSr and some people will say it is because of affirmative action, even though he would have earned it completely by merit).
I think the ideal situation would be for Bradley to be HC for 5-10 years, retire, and then LJSr get the nod, but it all depends on their respective ages. Does anyone know how old they are?
If I’m not mistaken isn’t LJ Sr in his early to mid 50’s …It would not be reasonable to expect him to wait 12 years (2 for JoePA then 10 for Bradley) he would be in his mid 60s …..
I wouldn’t mind hiring outside the program One of these young coaches who has ties to our program and has had HC experience – Golden or Schiano come to mind
I tend to disagree
First off, I think we should recognize that Penn State fans are insanely biased about the age of a head coach. 60 is a spring chicken for us, 70 is nothing to sneeze at. Our head coach is 82 frickin years old, and still has the energy and drive of a 50 year old. This is not normal outside of Happy Valley.
Tressel is rumored to only have a handful of years left in him before he retires. Carrol and Meyer are in their 50’s. Most people don’t want to be working until they’re 80 years old — they want to retire around 65 and live the good life for a decade or two.
Saying that we should try to hang on to LJ for another decade or longer before giving him the nod defeats the purpose. We should grab a young coach and put in him the position now. If we want to recruit and compete with the big boys we need a young enthusiastic coach. What we don’t want is some 60-year old who’s probably only going to want to be around for 10 years tops.
I love the idea of getting a young guy who looks at Penn State like a family and maintains the values and traditionalism we expect while still infusing a new young energy into the program. I think LJ could do that right away.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
I think that fans and coaches aliike
should be acutely aware of the vacuum going to be left in the wake of JoePa’s retirement/separation from the head coaching position at PSU.
Similar to other “legends”, say like Dean Smith, Tom Osborne (has Alabama ever gotten over Bear Bryant) there could be a period of adjustment (i.e. losing).
The follow up coach could be nothing more than a sacrifical lamb to provide separation from Paterno and thenext coach. There’s a high probabiliy that whomever becomes PSU #1 coach is not going to be the right guy.
"You are a tenacious little monkey!"
I didn't really follow how those other schools handled their transitions
but did they hire a longtime coordinator or assistant coach, or did they bring in someone new who had to start their system up from scratch?
by The JuggerNitt on Mar 31, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Nebraska promoted
Frank Solich from within to carry on the Osborne tradition. He did alright, but not elite. Fired after 6 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Solich
UNC promoted Bill guthridge from within to carry on the Smith tradition he lasted 3-4 years – retired after 2 final fours. The Matt Doherty years followed and were a serious decline. The Roy Williams continue to be top notch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_men’s_basketball
Alabama – Bryant’s tenure 24 years ending in 1982. In the following 27 they’ve had 9 coaches and 1 national title under Gene Stallings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football#Post-Bryant_.281983.E2.80.931996.29
UCLA Basketball – Who would want to follow John Wooden. Apparently nobody. “Four coaches left UCLA in the nine years following Wooden.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden
"You are a tenacious little monkey!"
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