James Franklin prepared for Ja’Juan Seider potential departure

Penn State football head coach James Franklin understands staff turnover. Whether that is due to someone underperforming leading to Franklin letting them go. Or overperforming and a new opportunity awaits them as a head coach. The most recent examples were Mike Yurcich and Manny Diaz. But went into the 2023 season as a Penn State staff member but left 2023 in a different direction. When speaking to the media on National Signing Day, Franklin discussed the future of Ja’Juan Seider in State College.

James Franklin prepared for Ja’Juan Seider potential departure

It’s a sad reality but someday running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider is going to land a head coaching position. He recruits at a high level, he can develop players to get to the next level, and he loves the game. It might be this offseason it might be a few years from now, but either way, he will be the head man for a college football team someday. James Franklin recognized that and told the media a similar message on National Signing Day.

Franklin said, “And again, back to that whole; Ja’Juan Seider is a guy that, I think if he chooses to be a head coach, is going to be a head coach. You just saw another one of our former guys, Gerad Parker, get the head job at Troy. There’s a bunch of guys that have through here that have gone on to become head coaches.

Here is another one that I wanted to make sure that Quinton [Martin] understood that, as well. If Coach Seider decides he is going to be a head coach, he’s to go to be, and are you comfortable with that and committing to Penn State and Terry Smith and myself. Terry is another guy like that that we talk about.”

Franklin backfills quickly

While it’s easy to get caught up in the moment as a fan, college football keeps moving. Was it sad to lose Manny Diaz? Of course but that doesn’t mean the Penn State football team had time to stop and pout. Instead, James Franklin attacked the open market this offseason with bold hires. First, it was former Kansas Jayhawk OC Andy Kotelnicki and then it was former Indiana head coach Tom Allen hired to backfill the openings on the Penn State staff.

Both coaches have a proven track record and they are two people that James Franklin can trust. 2024 will be interesting to see how much the Nittany Lions can improve.

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