My post is in response to the idea that we could do better with a different coach. College football has changed dramatically since Paterno's prime years. First, it is definitively closer to semi-pro ball now. That transition away from the "student athlete" happened in the 90s, and perhaps even started in the 80s. Franklin to his credit continues to try to maintain a student athlete culture. We will never be as consistent as an Alabama or Ohio State without sacrificing that to some degree and this is probably the reason why truly we have been truly special (at an Alabama level) only twice since the 90s. I am not sure that is that our alumni-base wants us to sacrifice the idea of the student athlete. I do think Franklin performs at a level that a serious run at the playoffs can occur once every 4 years, and a run at an NY6 bowl is possible most years (throw out the 2020 covid year, it is meaningless.) While we all fantasize about being as consistent as an Alabama, I am ok where we are now.
Secondly, the reality is that PA is not what it was for high school football talent. Particularly western PA is a shell of what it was in the 60s, 70s, and 80s for high school football as the youth population out there has fallen off the cliff. Eastern PA from Harrisburg to the east is still pretty solid, but the reality is that PA football overall is not what it was. NJ, MD, and OH still seem pretty strong, but recruiting has turned into a national effort. Joe started to face that as well in the final 10 years or so and Franklin pretty much has to recruit nationally and quite frankly international as he goes into Canada now!
I think Franklin is a great representative of the university, puts kids into the NFL (the reason why they are here, not school) and has brought the program back from the brink of ruin. Yes, I think he does occasionally suffer from a bit of in-game anxiety in big games. That is the only point I will concede and honestly it may not be completely fixable. He may need to learn to trust his assistants in those situations. But overall, I think he is fantastic for the program. Quite frankly, who the hell else is out there? Seriously.