PSU Players’ Parents Have James Franklin ‘Frustrated’ as He Admits Major Tensions

University Park is drilling hard against Oregon. But James Franklin is frustrated. One might assume it’s the offensive hiccups that have got the head coach spiraling, given the recent matchups. But, it’s rather the off-turf happenings that have him racking his brain. Player’s parents are eager to get their children a chance at the trenches, and the constant ping-pong of texts is what’s leading to Franklin’s growing pains.

But let’s just reel back to the past weeks for a while. Paul Finebaum called James Franklin’s schedule “cupcakes,” while ESPN’s Desmond Howard added fuel to the frustration by describing Penn State as a two-game schedule. After going 3-0, for Oregon and future matchups, aside from investing heavily in the veteran chess pieces, Franklin is developing younger players to man the line of scrimmage. And going about it has been a mixed experience. Naturally, some guys are pumped up for next weekend. However, those who are not ready are a pressing concern plaguing the roster.

“I’d say it’s a mix, right?,” James Franklin said. ” It’s frustration with some guys that I think could help us come the middle of the season on, and the coaches seem to have a greater sense of urgency to get them ready than they do.” Franklin continued. “And then there are other guys that are complaining that they should be playing, and their parents are sending text messages, and they’re going to get in the game and won’t be ready, and then we won’t hear anything from anybody. So, there’s a little frustration with that, but that there always is.”

NCAA, College League, USA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State Jan 9, 2025 Miami, FL, USA Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami Hard Rock Stadium FL USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xSamxNavarrox 20250109_szo_om2_0028

The roster is brimming with stacked talent: Junior safety King Mack, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman J’Ven Williams, and redshirt junior defensive end Enai White are a couple of faces, touted among the breakout candidates this season. Freshmen are rising up fast at the University Park. Redshirt freshman Antoine Belgrav-Shorter (registered two tackles against Nevada) edged out King Mack and Dejuan Lane for the starting safety position. During the fall camp, James Franklin had revealed that two true freshmen, cornerback Daryus Dixon (two tackles against Nevada)and defensive end Chaz Coleman (played 22 snaps against Nevada), would clear their redshirts and start against Nevada.

Albeit some players have been doing fantastically and have earned Franklin’s approval. He named  Tyseer Denmark‘s growing hunger to showcase his talents. “His number’s going to get called at some point, and he’s going to be ready.” Denmark redshirted his freshman year, appearing in four games. He caught two catches for 28 yards and a 15-yard first touchdown of his collegiate career. Against Nevada, he caught two receptions for 17 yards.

However, Franklin is determined not to let parental pressures bug him. His focus is on the overall health of the roster. “And it’s a small percentage, and what I want to make sure as coaches and myself included that you don’t get frustrated with the 2% compared to the 98% of guys that are doing it the right way,” he added.

James Franklin is frustrated over parents’ concerns about player development. However, much to the head coach’s delight, the clash against Villanova saw some explosive plays by the offense. And Franklin is eager to get that ball rolling.

James Franklin’s hopes tucked in a revitalized offense

It feels like yesterday when James Franklin and Penn State got an earful, owing to the buckling offense, scrambling to get rolling against an inferior team. “They have no real tests before Oregon visits,” Joel Klatt had said. However, against the Villanova Bearcats, Franklin saw more than a glimmer of hope to revitalize his end goal of rewriting the narrative.

Last weekend, quarterback Drew Allar threw a touchdown pass through a keyhole to wide receiver Trebor Pena. And Penn State saw a robust offense, fighting eye-to-eye against Dante Moore’s Oregon Ducks. The hauled-in WR room had made its mark since week 1, but Franklin is looking for more. Ducks will hit the road towards Beaver Stadium, and Franklin is in no mood to lose on home turf.

“If all those guys make the plays that they’re supposed to make, and then if each one of them makes one special play where they bring something more to the table than the o-line or the scheme got them, we’re going to be in good shape.”

As Howard pointed out, Penn State’s performance against Ohio State and Oregon will spill the truth about the Nittany Lions’ explosiveness. Presently, they reached their explosive-play goal of 15% , and it’s a lone statistic, staring down at the just one matchup against a non-conference game. Moreover, for the 20+ yard plays, they are at No. 77th nationally, and for 30+, they are seated at the 100th spot.  “The reality is, we’re going to need Devonte Ross to have a really good season and to have two or three games where everybody is talking about him. And we need Hudson to do the same thing,” James Franklin added.

Last campaign as well, Penn State won mostly through the season, but hiccups against elite programs thrashed its chances to make it to the Natty. So, unless the Nittany Lions defeat an elite program, college football will remain skeptical. Bye week is churning out a lot of drills, but Dan Lanning is waiting on the other side, nitpicking again on how to break through Drew Allar’s offense. Moore might be the freshest quarterback, but the defense is not.

The only roll cry at University Park? “Let’s get it f- going,” offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said.