In just over 45 days, the once unwavering coaching situation at Penn State has been turned upside and down and decimated by scandal of the highest magnitude. A legendary coach who has sat at the helm for nearly 50 years has been shamed and thrown aside (whether rightfully or by a blood-thirsty media, I will leave for others to discuss). Uncertainty of the very future of this once proud program has come into play. An unthinkable crime has cast a dark cloud over Happy Valley that will certainly take some time to clear… how much is to be determined.
These are certainly “non-traditional” circumstances to start a high-profile head coaching search. Let alone a head coaching search at a “non-traditional” place like Penn State.
As our 24/7 news cycle culture is want to do, we have seen a non-stop barrage of columns, sports-talk discussions, articles, and blog posts about who the potential candidates are/might be and why they may or may not be interested. Which frankly is no different than any other “traditional” head coaching search. Now we are beginning to see the impatient side of this media circus.
What do these “No’s” mean? What is taking so long? Is the PSU job too toxic? Why are “traditional” college football head coaching vacancy names like Chris Petersen, Mark Richt, Kirk Ferentz, and Al Golden not lining up for the Penn State job? Why does it seem like Athletic Director David Joyner and the search committee are taking such a long time? Don’t they know we are losing out on four star recruits without a coach?
These are all “traditional” questions impatient fans and alums ask. Myself included.
But then it occurred to me…
What about these circumstances are “traditional”? Nothing.
What about this coaching job is “traditional”? Nothing.
What about this university is “traditional”? If you are an alum or fan whose ever visited Happy Valley - Nothing.
Why then should we expect a “traditional” head coaching search? Why then would we WANT a “traditional” head coaching search? The person selected to takeover the reigns of this program needs to be more than a great football X’s and O’s guy, he needs to be a “non-traditional” leader and teacher with the mental fortitude and will to want to lead this program to greatness again through what is sure to be a lot of adversity. Someone who not only sees and believes in the values of what PSU has been about but wants to put their own “non-traditional” stamp on the program and university.
Think about it, Penn State fans. You’ve been spoiled for the past 50 years with a “non-traditional” coach. Do you really think our next one should be a “traditional” one? Do you really think given the circumstances that that is even possible? I for one am not looking to plug someone in for the next 4-5 years and join the coaching carousel that is “traditional” college football. Instead, I ask Dr. Joyner and committee to find the right guy - no matter how long it takes - who can bring the proper tone and dedication and begin to build, brick-by-brick their own “non-traditional” legacy at Penn State.
