Penn State Coaching Search: Tim Murphy
by Chris Grovich on Nov 30, 2011 6:00 AM EST
in Football
Email
PrintShortly after Joe Paterno's firing, the Sporting News' Chris Hayes randomly floated a name for the Penn State job that nobody had even remotely contemplated: Harvard's Tim Murphy.
Could an Ivy League coach actually work at Penn State? Our last Ivy Leaguer was decent enough for about 60 years, so yeah, let's take a closer look.
Head Coaching Record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Rank# | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Black Bears (Yankee Conference) (1987–1988) | ||||||||
| 1987 | Maine | 8–4 | 6–1 | T–1st | ||||
| 1988 | Maine | 7–4 | 4–4 | T–3rd | ||||
| Maine: | 15–8 | 10–5 | ||||||
| Cincinnati Bearcats (Independent) (1989–1993) | ||||||||
| 1989 | Cincinnati | 1–9–1 | ||||||
| 1990 | Cincinnati | 1–10 | ||||||
| 1991 | Cincinnati | 4–7 | ||||||
| 1992 | Cincinnati | 3–8 | ||||||
| 1993 | Cincinnati | 8–3 | ||||||
| Cincinnati: | 17–37–1 | |||||||
| Harvard Crimson (Ivy League) (1994–present) | ||||||||
| 1994 | Harvard | 4–6 | 2–5 | T–7th | ||||
| 1995 | Harvard | 2–8 | 1–6 | 8th | ||||
| 1996 | Harvard | 4–6 | 2–5 | T–6th | ||||
| 1997 | Harvard | 9–1 | 7–0 | 1st | ||||
| 1998 | Harvard | 4–6 | 3–4 | T–5th | ||||
| 1999 | Harvard | 5–5 | 3–4 | 5th | ||||
| 2000 | Harvard | 5–5 | 4–3 | T–3rd | ||||
| 2001 | Harvard | 9–0 | 7–0 | 1st | 19 | |||
| 2002 | Harvard | 7–3 | 6–1 | 2nd | ||||
| 2003 | Harvard | 7–3 | 4–3 | T–2nd | ||||
| 2004 | Harvard | 10–0 | 7–0 | 1st | 13 | |||
| 2005 | Harvard | 7–3 | 5–2 | T–2nd | ||||
| 2006 | Harvard | 7–3 | 4–3 | 3rd | ||||
| 2007 | Harvard | 8–2 | 7–0 | 1st | 21 | |||
| 2008 | Harvard | 9–1 | 6–1 | T–1st | 15 | |||
| 2009 | Harvard | 7–3 | 6–1 | 2nd | ||||
| 2010 | Harvard | 7–3 | 5–2 | T–2nd | ||||
| 2011 | Harvard | 9–1 | 7–0 | 1st | ||||
| Harvard: | 119–59 | 85–40 | ||||||
| Total: | 151–104–1 | |||||||
Coaching Experience
Fun fact, Murphy was the head coach of the Cincinnati team that lost to Penn State 81-0 in 1991. Let's not hold that against him, especially because his Bearcats very nearly beat Penn State at Nippert Stadium one year later (Cincy lost 24-20). His Cincinnati teams steadily improved throughout his tenure there, most especially on defense (they allowed only 197 points in 1993, although against a lowly schedule). Not to be overlooked, he took the Cincinnati job when the program was being hit with a wave of NCAA penalties. His revival of that program remains one of the greatly overlooked coaching accomplishments of the last two decades.
He took the job at Harvard, in part, to be closer to his terminally ill mother (and despite a 40% salary decrease). Since 1994, he has won six Ivy League championships, and hasn't had a losing conference record since 1999. Oh, and he's, like, totally a smartypants:
He was nearly ready to give up on coaching, to head off in another direction. He had, in fact, tendered his resignation as an assistant coach at Maine and was off to Northwestern’s business school for his MBA, when he was offered the Black Bears’ head coaching job in 1987.
"I was actually conflicted at the time,’’ Murphy said. "I always wanted to be a head coach, but I put a lot of hard work in, night school, to get into a top 10 business school.’’
So he asked Northwestern for, and was granted, a deferral.
"I said, ‘Just give me a year and I’ll get this out of my system,’ ’’ Murphy said. "Twenty-five years later, I haven’t gotten it out of my system.’’
Fit - Cultural, Personnel, Etc.
Hard to find in-depth Harvard scouting reports, but there doesn't appear to be much outside of traditionally balanced, solid football here (2010 FCS stats here). Murphy is your standard, blue collar coach who demands much of his team, but don't let it be said that he's a buttoned up, risk-averse kind of guy. His team ran a flawless fake field goal for a touchdown against Yale a few weeks ago. Murphy has also been an effective recruiter at Harvard. It's a different animal, of course, as he's trying to steal players who would otherwise go to Stanford or Northwestern.
Murphy has turned down offers from other schools in the past, including Indiana back in 2005. Indiana is Indiana. Would he be interested in Penn State? He's dropped the "never say never" line in response to a question about the PSU job, but I'm not convinced. He's 55 years old, and is already hinting that he's near the end of his career:
"I love what I do, but I’m not going to be doing this in 10 years,’’ Murphy said. "I’m going to transition to something else. As much as I love it, it’s so all-consuming.’’
He never saw a single one of his daughter’s field hockey games. He has seen just one of his son’s football games. He and his wife, Martha, who have three children, have yet to go on their honeymoon, even though they’ve been married for 23 years.
"There will come a time that I will want to do something that isn’t so all-consuming and maybe experience what life is like,’’ he said. "I look forward to someday on Saturday coming back and watching a Harvard football game and actually tailgating.
"It actually scares me that I’m at this point in my career thinking that. I work out. I’m healthy. I’m young. But when you’re 55 instead of 30, when I became a head coach, you realize you’re a lot closer to the end of your career than you are to the beginning of it, and that’s a little bit sobering.’’
But not too much.
"I love what I’m doing,’’ he said. "I’m more energized than ever. And we’re going to go really hard for the next five years, and then probably figure it out from there.’’
He's already a Harvard legend, obviously nothing to scoff at. Would be be willing to make the leap to Big Ten football? Two weeks ago, Dennis Dodd reported thusly:
Harvard coach Tim Murphy would "definitely" be interested in "looking into" the vacant Penn State job, according to a source close to the situation.
It is not known if Murphy is being considered by Penn State for the job but has been mentioned in reports because of his success at the non-scholarship Ivy League program. The source did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation and because the coaching search to replace Joe Paterno is in its earliest stages.
"I think he’d definitely be interested in looking into it," the source said Tuesday. "He’d have to look … at this one. He’s got plenty of years left in him. He’s absolutely interested in exploring it."
Former Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick added his own semi-endorsement:
"Obviously they’re looking for a guy with a clean record, a guy that cares a lot about academics and the student part of the student-athlete and in that regard I think he’d be a perfect fit." Fitzpatrick told CBSSports.com Rapid Reporter Mark Ludwiczak, "He possesses all the qualities that I think they would look for."
The verdict? Penn State could do much worse, if you're willing to believe that Murphy would be able to translate his Ivy success to the Big Ten (no small leap of faith, that). Here's the thing about Tim Murphy -- you can't find a bad word written about him or his coaching ability. I mean, nowhere. He's cleaned up scandalous messes before (nothing like Penn State's situation, naturally). He has excelled everywhere he's been.
Age and burnout could be an issue, as noted above, and the intense scrutiny of Big Ten football would be a massive shift from what Murphy is accustomed to at Harvard. Still, I went into this with an extremely skeptical frame of mind, and was pleasantly surprised from beginning to end. Solid guy, great record of success.
Your thoughts?
Be sure to become a fan of BSD on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!
Previous Candidate Profiles:
11/27 - Dan Mullen, Mississippi State HC
11/28 - Tom Bradley, PSU Interim HC
103 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Solid
PSU could certainly do much worse, especially if all we’re looking for is a guy to coach 5 or 6 years of solid football before handing it off to a guy who’s in it for the long haul. I’d still prefer Scrap or Mullen, but I wouldn’t be upset with Murphy.
GO IOWA AWESOME, now and forever, until PSU sees them in basketball and wrestling
Beat Wisconsin
I like every thing about him except his age.
Especially this (sounds like someone else we know):
“I was actually conflicted at the time,’’ Murphy said. "I always wanted to be a head coach, but I put a lot of hard work in, night school, to get into a top 10 business school.’’
So he asked Northwestern for, and was granted, a deferral.
“I said, ‘Just give me a year and I’ll get this out of my system,’ ’’ Murphy said. "Twenty-five years later, I haven’t gotten it out of my system.’’
I agree with you about the age
Would that put him as one of the oldest coaches in the Big10 at 55? I feel PSU has just gone through an era where other coaching staffs could recruit against PSU by saying the coach is older and may not be around much longer. I’m not sure if I would like to have a coach who can be portrayed that way again so soon.
He's also said
He won’t be coaching in 10 years
I think he’ll retire at Harvard in about 5 years
by SCsprinter13 on Nov 30, 2011 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
Coaches never
underestimate the amount of time they will remain as head coach to the press.
Mullen
Si has a story saying psu is nearing deal with mullen, fwiw.
Teacher vs. Student once a year?
by SkellerDweller06 on Nov 30, 2011 7:59 AM EST via mobile reply actions
We need something, and fast.
He’s already talked to Noah Spence, who said the Buckeyes are on top for now.
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Nov 30, 2011 8:12 AM EST up reply actions
This recruiting class will be toast when all is said and done.
But it’s more important to get the hire right. Hopefully within two weeks so the new coaching staff can salvage something in recruiting. And then, transfers, of course.
by Chris Grovich on Nov 30, 2011 8:14 AM EST up reply actions
I'm not sure it will be toast.
It’s teetering on the edge at the moment, but with the right hire, a successful class can still be salvaged.
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Nov 30, 2011 8:25 AM EST up reply actions
You don't think
recruits would be drawn to a name brand guy like Mullen?
I agree, we’re going to see some defections, but I’d imagine we’d get some interest from guys who didn’t like the “old” PSU systems.
I think it will be less than it was going to be, but I don’t think its headed for nuclear winter.
by Tailgate Shogun on Nov 30, 2011 8:45 AM EST up reply actions
The defections haven't been nearly as bad as I was preparing myself for
But there’s still 2 months until LOIs get signed, and Urbz setting up shop in Columbus isn’t going to make things any easier.
I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
Black Shoe Diaries
@runthedive
But his class is almost done.
He has limited spots available as it is. He’ll try to cherry pick Spence and Armani Reeves, but we won’t see mass defections. I think we’ll be OK. Plus, we’re overlooking in this sub-thread whatever effect the new guy might have on additional recruits (and the current commits).
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Nov 30, 2011 8:50 AM EST up reply actions
name brand guy like Mullen
I’m not buying that for a second. This guy is at best an SEC flavor of the month. I’m not seeing this.
...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...
Completely agree
He won a bunch of games with Tebow and worked his way into a lower-tier HC gig where he has basically gone .500 in 3 seasons…
I’m not saying we can do better, I’m saying you can’t convince me he’s got a better resume than Bradley.
Anyway, the flashlights eat our human power grids, our souls if you will. So i destroyed them, and if a few precious panties were burnt or soiled in the reckoning then so be it
Define better record than Bradley. Scrap is 1-2 as a coach. That isn’t really a resume at all.
Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.
That is all.
Better *resume*, not record
Scrap knows how to run a program at Penn State.
No one else in the country does, and as far as I can tell, no one else even tries.
I still can’t believe they’re considering anyone other than Bradley. Dumb bunch of morons.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m not saying we can do better
I don’t understand why “wash the stink off” has to mean “run program into the ground”. The opportunity to compete at a high level with outstanding resources is as here now as it will be in five years. I don’t see why a coach would feel better taking the job after it’s been decimated by lousy recruting classes.
...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...
by jesse. on Nov 30, 2011 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I don't disagree
But if what you said was true in the eyes of Meyer then he would likely be heading to State College. He had a choice between two programs in similar shape except one is certain to face NCAA sanctions and one is facing public outcry. So by that math our scandal >> NCAA sanctions.
I don’t know that Meyer is a good thermometer for our coaching situation but it’s clear to me he’s the current bench mark for “big name” hire. Given that bench mark and the guy reportedly on the top of the list, I’d conclude the board struck out on the big names and are now focusing on “plan B” guys. Just my opinion without access to pay sites.
Anyway, the flashlights eat our human power grids, our souls if you will. So i destroyed them, and if a few precious panties were burnt or soiled in the reckoning then so be it
His realtor found a better house in Powell than the one in Boalsburg.
A pandemic of cowardice sweeps the nation.
Because he knew Joe was from there
and saw the posts he had written.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
by jman07 on Nov 30, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
“Yeah I heard about the TV report,” Mullen said Tuesday night at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson. “It’s the most irresponsible reporting that I’ve ever heard of.”
Mullen said he had not been so much as contacted by Penn State “or any other school.”
by Kevin Powers on Nov 30, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
"It’s the most irresponsible reporting that I’ve ever heard of."
At least we share the same viewpoint of the MSM.
Run.
by Bob Sacamano on Nov 30, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Good coach--maybe even great coach
But as a fan of of two Ivy League teams, neither of which is Harvard, for me this would be like hiring Jim Tressel. I think I’d get over it though. Maybe.
by newenglandnittanylion on Nov 30, 2011 8:08 AM EST reply actions
Intriguing. I could be happy with this. My only concern is that he wouldn’t be interested in putting in the hours required in a competitive BCS conference. But then again, I don’t think Joe was grinding out long nights for the last several years and we did alright.
This would address my concern I have with Mullen…possibility to overlook the student part of student athlete.
Luring recruits with my new "Posting HD" scheme since '08.
Joe wasn't putting in long nights
but the guys around him were. That can’t be the way things work with the new HC.
That which we are, WE ARE...PENN STATE.
Forever.
by Nittany_Ryan on Nov 30, 2011 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
Well
if we’re looking for a coach to bring us up out of the ashes, I think I could get on board with this. If he’s nearing retirement, maybe he’ll want one last challenge before riding off into the sunset.
So I guess at this point, we have to think, what will the University be looking for? A guy to lead us to get this behind us and then move on, or a guy to take the reigns and lead for the next 20 years or so. If it’s option A, I think we’re looking at an older coach, if option B, then I see a younger, former coordinator or something.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
Murphy seems like a decent enough coach
But if we’re going to make a hire as risky as this, I’d rather just hire an up and coming coordinator like Manny Diaz.
I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
Black Shoe Diaries
@runthedive
His assistants
That’s my biggest question. He might be able to handle the jump in competition, work load, etc, but who would he get for assistants? Maybe if a lot of the current defensive staff would stay on, but that seems doubtful if they went this route.
I enjoy these articles about the various coaching options.
But I just want this to be over soon. I don’t want to be reading about it two or three weeks from now.
Yea. I'll really be irritated if that's the case
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
Depending on who we target/his preferences
we may have to wait until the after the bowl games ’til this is wrapped up. Would the university/hire be okay with pulling a Brian Kelly and jumping before a bowl game?
"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"
No way they wait until after bowl games.
I think you’ll see something fairly soon. By mid-December.
by Chris Grovich on Nov 30, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Well then
I guess ’Bama fans are gonna be pretty miffed when someone else is coaching the Tide for the MNC!
I’m kidding, but a man can dream, can’t he?
"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"
PAWWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
Black Shoe Diaries
@runthedive
In that case, somebody better start writing the Penn State Coaching Search:
Jay Paterno post pronto
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
One Committee member (Lubert, I blieve) said three weeks.
Another said two weeks. I’m hoping it’s two. At the latest.
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Nov 30, 2011 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
Barring whatever reports there are about nearing deals with certain people
(which I am suspect of considering they just formed a search committee this week), I actually think Murphy tops my list. He has no ties to PSU, but by all accounts he embodies the culture/ideals that I think most of us still value (if nothing else, it is the compromise of these values somewhere in the chain of command of our University that has been the most distressing to me about this whole situation). Whether it is fair or not, and whether he will be successful in the B1G or not, hiring a Harvard coach with a squeaky clean record is going to send all of the right messages that need to be sent about how PSU thinks the football program fits into the rest of the mission of the University.
And, frankly, as an alumni I can stand to watch mediocre football if it means that the University’s reputation is going to get back on track faster. I know that probably isn’t a super-popular opinion around here since a lot of people have been waiting to “upgrade” from Paterno for a long time, but what can it hurt to give him a few years? What “true” top flight coach is really going to consider coming to PSU amid this circus and possible NCAA sanctions?
Murphy has cemented his Harvard legacy and is clearly growing restless there based on some of his comments. That may either mean retirement or that he simply wants a new challenge. It would seem that PSU might present that challenge, provide a good pay upgrade to retire on, and give him a chance to measure himself against some of the best coaches in the country.
His fit with us and our fit with him makes this seem like one of the better possibilities…
by BNittsDeMilo on Nov 30, 2011 9:05 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I can stand to watch mediocre football if it means that the University’s reputation is going to get back on track faster
I get what you’re saying, and I too could tolerate this. Given everything we’ve been through I don’t think it is realistic to expect a string of Big Ten championships over the next few years. But I also don’t think want to see the University “settle” for a coach that is clearly not as good as other viable candidates but is a better PR hire.
Winning and restoring the image aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, I’d say winning could help restore the image, in a way. If PSU goes into a real slump for the next 5-10 years because of this, everyone will point back to the scandal as the reason and it will stay fresh in people’s minds. It will linger because we’ll see the consequences all the time. Winning can be cathartic and will have people talking about positively about football again, which I think will help to put the scandal out of the mind of the general public. Of course there would be talk of how any successful teams overcame adversity, but those would be positive stories about a new football team, not negative stories focusing on the scars of the scandal.
I’m not saying we should have a “just win and everything will be better” attitude. In fact, that is absolutely the wrong attitude to have. There are serious issues the University needs to face moving forward and we can’t sweep those under the rug by winning football games. But we don’t have to lose football games to fix what is broken, either. And from a PR point of view, winning does help. I’m not saying that is a good thing, but it is reality.
That which we are, WE ARE...PENN STATE.
Forever.
by Nittany_Ryan on Nov 30, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Committment
I want someone who will come in and be committed to the program. That doesn’t mean the next guy has to stay 15-20 years, necessarily. I would even be OK with a 5 year “steward” to help restore the image. But whoever the next coach is, I want them to be all in for the time that they are here, whatever that is. Some of Murphy’s comments make me wonder if that would be the case.
Having said that, there is a lot to like here. I think he would get and fit into the culture, and he seems to be a good coach. It is definitely a riskier hire from a lot of perspectives since he has never been at a big time program, even as a coordinator. It doesn’t sound like he has any experience at a program on the same level as Penn State. He might be a good coach, but could he recruit the talent he needs to compete in the Big Ten? I don’t think there is a way to answer that question.
Of the 3 coaches you guys have looked at so far, I like Bradley first, then it’s sort of a tie between Murphy and Mullen, though for totally different reasons. I’d prefer Mullen from a purely football point of view. But I do like Murphy more than some of the other names that have been casually thrown around.
That which we are, WE ARE...PENN STATE.
Forever.
I like it.
I like it a lot.
I just don't want to die without a few scars. ~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, Chapter 6
for what it's worth
i spoke with a pretty inside source/friend that lives in Starkville who told me that Mullen met with the team yesterday and said he was offered the job, but turned it down. food for thought, obviously things can change.
Why would he tell the team that?
“Hey guys, they called, I listened … but you guys know I’m not going anywhere but Florida, right?”
Also, if there was a team meeting, then there would have been tweets and other social media updates. I call BS on this.
by kijana's acl on Nov 30, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
Great read.
So far none of thee 3 candidates that have been listed on here (Mullen, Murphy, and TB) are completely winking at me, but I like them all for different reasons.
I’m skeptical about Mullen from a football standpoint because it just doesn’t seem to fit the players we have. And like someone said the spread option is kind of dated and its not like Tebow is our qb. But on the other side of it, his interesting offense may bring some different recruits who would otherwise say no to PSU.
TB, I love and think is the best fit so far of the 3 from a football standpoint. But its more than just football. And I know, so far there have been no reports of TB’s knowledge of the scandal, but you cant ignore the elephant in the room. And I find it really hard to believe that he was completely unaware of this scandal, specially since he worked with Sandusky and I mean Joe clearly new…I just dont think its a good idea to bring him or any of the other coaches back, from a PR standpoint. I know most will disagree with me, but I just dont see how it can be justified.
Murphy is an interesting candidate and seems like he would be the best hire from a PR standpoint and frankly, he clearly knows football. Everything about him I like, but his age and wavering dedication. I dont want him if he in his mind has a time table for when he wants to retire. I want him to worry about coaching and say he will retire when the time comes. I dont want a new guy to come in here an say “I have 10 years left and if we dont win by then, i’m done.” No thank.
So tired of doing things from a PR standpoint
PR was the reason for the cover-up. PR was behind Spanier attempting to defend Curley and Schultz. PR was behind Paterno’s firing. Where has PR gotten us?
by PSU Mudder on Nov 30, 2011 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sadly..
this is the reason why Scrap probably won’t get the job.
by Artiefufkin10 on Nov 30, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
I understand but, but I dont think thats a good argument to go against making a smart PR hire. Murphy is a solid coach with no baggage. TB is a tremendous coach with baggage and possibly a major problem. I would rather take the smart hire than a risky one.
Baggage
I don’t agree with the argument that Bradley is a poor choice because he might have baggage. Isn’t making decisions based on what people MIGHT have known or MIGHT have done part of why we’re having the “who’s the next coach” discussion in the first place?
by kflintosh on Nov 30, 2011 10:54 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
I just dont buy the arguments that TB was clueless and completely innocent. I dont buy it at all. Thats why I just dont see how they can bring anyone back next year. They all knew.
Sure
he might have heard whispers or rumors but what is he supposed to do about them?
People seem to think that all members of a coaching staff are best friends and spend all their time after hours drinking, carousing, and telling each other everything within their inner being.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
If Joe wasnt fired then I would have a different mindset about all of this. But they fired him and I think the same needs done with the rest. I know most disagree, but just my opinion.
Why was he fired though?
To appease the media and to make them go away.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
Wow
if you honestly think that’s the reason Joe was fired, I don’t know what to tell you.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
Not to mention...
If he thinks that’s the reason, I’d love to know why he thinks Curley was just put on leave.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 5:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Ugh.
I realize it was primarily a PR move just to shut the media up. But there is more to it. If you all think Joe and this entire staff are 100% innocent then you all have problems. I love Joe and TB and everyone on this staff, but come on now. What am I not getting?
You're not getting
that of everything mentioned so far, the football program is at best a footnote. After 99, Sandusky wasn’t involved with the football program. He was, however, involved quite a bit with the administration.
Do I believe Joe and the staff are 100% innocent? No, but neither is anyone who joked about Sandusky around little boys. Do I believe that Joe and the football program are being scapegoated by people who had heard of problems but hoped they would go away because Sandusky brought money to Penn State? Yup.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 10:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs
I just don't buy the arguments that the Board of Trustees was clueless and completely innocent
I don’t buy it at all. That’s why I just don’t see how they can stick around through next year. They all knew.
I just don’t buy the arguments that the State College police were clueless and completely innocent. I don’t buy it at all. That’s why I just don’t see how they can stick around. They all knew.
I just don’t buy the arguments that the mainstream media were clueless and completely innocent. I don’t buy it at all. That’s why I just don’t see how they can stick around. They all knew.
I just don’t buy the arguments that you were clueless and completely innocent. I don’t buy it at all. I just don’t see how you can stick around. You knew.
For the record, I believe the first two are likely (the second is at least partially true), and the third is also pretty possible. But use your brain. This scandal is not a football program scandal. It’s a Penn State scandal, and a State College scandal. If you want to firebomb the football program, by the exact same logic. you should basically detonate the University.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
This scandal is not a football program scandal. It’s a Penn State scandal, and a State College scandal.
I completely agree with this.
But, it isn’t according to USA Today & ESPN. Reporters from both papers at the Curley Center panel on 11/29 both stated that as soon as they started reporting, they realized that “this story was about Joe Paterno”. That isn’t a direct quote, but it’s pretty darn close. And that’s pretty darn ridiculous.
Fire Dan Snyder
PR has done a terrible job of actually describing how much we've done.
In less than 10 days after this story broke we fired; one of the most respected University adminstrators in the country, a guy who was in charge of the commission that re-wrote the NCAA rules to allow paying players and was a finalist for the NCAA Commisioner job; one of the five best AD’s in the country, who ran one of the largest, most Title IX compliant, and profitable athletic departments in the country, all without (still) one single NCAA infraction; third, the winningest and most respected football coach in the history of the sport; and fourth, we also fired the guy whose fault it was.
That was in ten days.
...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...
by jesse. on Nov 30, 2011 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
My point wasnt to ignite a debate about the scandal and PR.
I just said that imo TB isnt worth hiring entirely because he will forever be linked with the scandal. And if the university wants to continue to move on, then TB should not be the HC. He is the best candidate from a football standpoint, but its more than just football.
If you think a new coach will eliminate the link to the scandal with the football program
You’re nuts. It’s there. It will always be there. The Board of Trustees did the dumbest thing they could possibly imagine doing, and guaranteed that it will be, by making it look as if they’re trying to sweep it under the rug.
Who they hire as the next coach won’t do a damn thing to change that.
What bothers me the most is that there are fans, like you, who think that it will. Or could. I don’t think you realize yet that the real problem here is Penn State, not the football program.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
I never said that.
This scandal is gonna haunt us for years. Its never going away. But it just seems to me that they should look elsewhere for a coach who has ZERO ties to the university. It would help alleviate the media pressure about the whole scandal.
No, it won't
The sports media has already moved on. The news media doesn’t care about the new coach.
All a “ZERO ties to the university” coach will do is guarantee that PSU will be faced with other problems – of the NCAA sort – in the future. Guaranteed. Bradley knows how you run a clean program at Penn State, how you deal with administration, etc. No one outside of Penn State does.
I expect the university to hire someone outside Penn State. They’re that stupid. And it will be a disaster.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 5:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'd hate to see what damage could be done
if the Board of Trustees really put their collective minds to it. Maybe they should just run the university on opinion polls and drop the pretense.
This will sound strange
but it is starting to sink in that Joe Paterno will no longer be around at Penn State, in any capacity. And we all knew this was coming eventually, but to me, honestly, there isn’t a candidate out there that will be right. We are looking for a coach, and that makes us like every other school in the country. That just seems weird to me even though I have had 3 weeks to digest all of this. That’s where I am even though I appreciate the work being put into these profiles.
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things
Completely agreed
I’m on board with you 100%. We’re looking for a football coach when all we’ve known is a legend. It’s part of why I want Bradley — he’ll do a good job, but I’m also not ready to give up on the last 60 years yet.
by kflintosh on Nov 30, 2011 10:57 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
The only
thing Bradley has going for him is that Terry Pagula loves him, and Terry Pagula has eleventy-bajillion dollars. I love Bradley, think he’d do a great job, and want him to get the nod for many of the same reasons you talk about. But it’s hard to predict what the committee and BoT will want to do/want other people to think of what they do (if that makes sense).
At this point, for those still in the Bradley camp, our best hope is to that Pagula emails his bank statement to the committee with the subject line “Hire Bradley.”
"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."
by LAPSU on Nov 30, 2011 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well, the BoT has been pretty consistent so far.
They wet their collective finger and stick it in the air. I’m not optimistic for TB, and that’s a shame.
And his history is seemingly being written out as well.
Which is ridiculous. Like you can’t mention his name at all.
penn state football story
hasn’t mentioned Joe once in the past 3 weeks
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things
I'm liking Murphy
Interesting how each of the coaches profiled illustrate the three main directions PSU could go.
Take Bradley for stability. He’s most likely to be able to hold present recruits and seal the deal on those still strongly considering PSU. He’s also likely to maintain the current level of success on the field (even though many of us are looking for something more).
Take Mullen for the future. He’s a fresh start and has the biggest upside. There’s the potential that he can elevate the program back to national contender, and remain in SC for years. Of course there’s also the possibility he’s not up for the task and is fired after 4 seasons.
Take Murphy as an attempt to restore “success with honor”. It’s unlikely that he could be a long term solution, but he could give 5 years of solid football. His spotless record would be admired by the national media (ESPN). And no one could claim that PSU was more worried about repairing its football program than it was its university as a whole.
I like Murphy. Unless of course, Tony Dungy is an option. In which case we can aim for championships and character.
by NittanyBlueHen on Nov 30, 2011 10:23 AM EST reply actions
The most awesome thing about hiring the dude from Harvard
Maybe we can finally make a dent in this awful statistic
What's his specialty - offense, defense, recruiting...?
I'm not rationalizing - I'm being totally irrational
Apparently offense
He was a line coach at Brown, Lafayette, and BU, and OC at Maine before he became HC.
Can’t speak to recruiting. His Wikipedia page is pretty sparse.
That which we are, WE ARE...PENN STATE.
Forever.
by Nittany_Ryan on Nov 30, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
He's been complimented for his recruiting at Harvard.
But that’s obviously fighting for a different kind of player than what PSU needs to win in the Big Ten.
by Chris Grovich on Nov 30, 2011 11:02 AM EST up reply actions
PSU must have a defensive-minded coach.
I am not willing to relinquish the title of LBU to anyone for any reason. If the guy cannot put together great defenses with great defensive recruits, he should not be considered.
by rodney20 on Nov 30, 2011 11:48 AM EST via mobile reply actions
IMO, there is no way Scrap stays as a DC, here or anywhere else
these weeks have been enough that at least a lower tier FBS or FCS program will look at him
Fire Dan Snyder
Maybe
With the media firestorm they created, I could see all members of the staff having a hard time getting a fair shake.
I, for one, plan to continue my life long contempt for the powers that be and I fully expect to be disappointed with whatever choice is made. ~PSUgirl
I don't want no damned New Englanders.
"Woop woop." - Waylon Jennings
by ReadingRambler on Nov 30, 2011 12:31 PM EST reply actions
But seriously
Really?
If they get rid of Scrap, it will be for PR reasons which, well, I’ve already discussed my, uh, lack of fondness for this reasoning. And to replace him with this guy does not exactly strike me as an upgrade or anything close to an upgrade.
"Woop woop." - Waylon Jennings
by ReadingRambler on Nov 30, 2011 12:33 PM EST reply actions
The only reason not to hire Bradley is a PR reason?
I think that’s overstating things. He wasn’t hired by Pitt, Temple or UConn. It’s too early to tell if those schools made a mistake, but there is certainly something that can be inferred from those choices, right?
by kijana's acl on Nov 30, 2011 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
Change "only" to "chief, overriding".
"Woop woop." - Waylon Jennings
by ReadingRambler on Nov 30, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Fine
I think that many have decided that not picking Bradley is cowardly, without stopping to consider why he’s available in the first place (i.e., nobody in 10+ years has looked at his consistently very good defenses and said, “go get him”).
by kijana's acl on Nov 30, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
Some of us are
I, for one, just don’t care why no one else wanted him. He knows how to run a program at Penn State. That’s all we need.
Half the reason Penn State survives as a top 25 football program with strict standards is due to one word: loyalty. This isn’t an exaggeration. There’s a reason we got a bajillion sons of sons of sons.
Toss Bradley and that advantage goes right out the window. New coach comes in, recruiting won’t be as successful, and in a few years he’ll start looking for corners to cut to keep his job.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 5:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
That's fair
I just don’t like the idea that going with an outsider is de facto evidence of no spine or no loyalty. Sometimes the internal candidate is not the best person for the job.
by kijana's acl on Nov 30, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
There is no outside candidate
who knows how to run a D1A program successfully with academic standards above schools of equivalent standing.
Bradley at least has experience helping.
by Bleed Blue 'n White on Nov 30, 2011 9:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Thoughts from a former player's brother
I emailed a friend to get some info on Murphy b/c his brother played for him at Havard. Not a glowing endorsement:
“…I get the sense that none of the players ever really respected Murphy. Liking a coach as a person is kinda irrelevant but respect is important. Made some questionable coaching decisions in big games as well. Never really developed a good QB other than Fitzpatrick. He’s as stiff as a board and I would imagine would be a terrible recruiter 1 on 1. Interesting that his name is getting thrown around.”
Well, scratch him off my list
though its only 1 players thoughts. Just not good a player would not have 1 thing good to say about him.
http://twitter.com/tmaluchnik
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Black Shoe Diaries
Related FanShots on Black Shoe Diaries
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SHOP THE BLACK SHOE DIARIES STORE
