How James Franklin Progresses the Most Important Position in Football

Aug 21, 2024 3:10 pm

Coach -

There’s been changes on the coaching staff at Penn State as James Franklin looks for his staff to lead the Nitanny Lions into the college football playoffs.

Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki who has had tremendous success at each of his stops, and Tom Allen, formerly head coach at Indiana joins the staff as a defensive coordinator.

Coach Franklin sets the culture and develops the blue print. Today we will take a look at his philosophy on quarterback development. Before we do, let’s look at the 2024 season.

Season Preview Capsule

Penn State has all the ingredients for a championship-caliber team. A dynamic running back duo, a defense that consistently wreaks havoc, and a promising young quarterback with immense potential form a formidable foundation.

The offensive line, while facing challenges with key departures, possesses the talent to develop into a solid unit. If Drew Allar can improve his accuracy and decision-making, especially on intermediate passes, the Nittany Lions' offense will reach its full potential. The defense, anchored by the fearsome Abdul Carter, has the potential to be one of the nation's best.

However, replacing key contributors in the secondary will be crucial. Ultimately, Penn State's success hinges on their ability to execute consistently, especially in crucial moments against top-tier opponents.

The expanded College Football Playoff presents a golden opportunity for Penn State to break through and establish themselves as a national powerhouse. With a favorable schedule and a talented roster, the stage is set for a memorable season. But to truly capitalize on this chance, the Nittany Lions must overcome their recent struggles against Michigan and Ohio State, refine their passing game, and maintain their defensive dominance.

Penn State Strengths

Offense

Talented Running Back Duo (Nicholas Singleton & Kaytron Allen)
Promising Young Quarterback (Drew Allar)
Potential for a Solid Offensive Line

Defense

No. 1 Ranked Nationally in Sacks and Tackles for Loss (Previous Season)
No. 2 Ranked Nationally in Total Defense (Previous Season)
No. 3 Ranked Nationally in Scoring Defense (Previous Season)
Fearsome Pass Rusher (Abdul Carter)
Strong Linebacking Corps
Hard-Hitting Secondary

Clinic: Developing The Quarterback

There is always chatter about whether the QB fits the system but, one thing that is not discussed as much is having a system of developing the QB within your scheme. This is something Penn State has done as well as anyone through a variety of coaches and seasons. Think of names like Sean Clifford, Trace McSorley, Drew Allar, and Christian Hackenberg. All in a short time realistically maximized in many ways to their potential. The thing about this list as well is we see the production seem to rise as well.

Video: The Nittany Lion Way

Small minute details matter to Coach Franklin and in many ways you can see this through the continual rise in the Penn State program. It seems there becomes more and more reason to fear this team each season. Whether coordinators or coaches take new positions or leave for other reasons this team seems to win in heaps and give national championship contenders all they can handle regularly. The way in which Coach Franklin views coaching his QB’s would be very similar to how he treats the program. Every detail matters.

Video: Goals & Objectives

There are a variety of ways to look at your QB’s and understand what you need from them. Production of course is of the utmost importance but, in many ways the idea of their internal impact on their teammates is just as important if not more. A leader can do much more than just an elite passer. This is the individual that will get you over the hump or will a team to victory.

This is what creates the initial focus for Coach being on the qualitative measurements of a QB and in many ways the reason you have repeatedly seen upperclassmen hold the position of QB1 at PSU for the past 10 years.

Video: Pre-Snap Recognition & Post-Snap Confirmation

Upon recognition and development of the tools beyond the obvious impacts of the game you move to the idea of coverage recognition and more in-game components. While these items relate to the actual playing of the game they are more or less still played within the mind of the individual and highly dependent on the cerebral capabilities of the athlete.

This position is played as much with the mind as any other physical body part. This is also what allows some of the items in its gameplay to be taught and learned and some to be more natural and others not dependent entirely on the individual.

Get an entire glimpse into PSU with this course and the bundles below.

-Coach Grabowski, Coach Kauffman and the CoachesClinic Team