Why not Terry

Gitzit

Member
I would like to see Terry get a chance at permanent head coach. He is said to be a good recruiter, the players are playing hard for him. He loves Penn State, and no worry about him leaving right away if he has success. I like his no nonsense press conferences, no used car gobbledygook coachspeak BS
Give him a 3 year contract and see how he does. If he doesn't have great success he will probably fire himself, ya'know because he loves Penn State.
He and maybe Matt are the only ones out there that care as much about PSU as we do, and no buyout like Matt.

If Kraft is considering Manny you have to be giving as much thought into Terry. What has Manny really done? Yeah he had a great pass rushing defense here, but he had incredible talent at that time.
Hartline? You think he would suddenly bring in 5 star wide receivers, maybe, but still as big a gamble as Terry would be. Hartline has no passion or love for Penn State like we do, Terry do.
I like Brohm but he is at home there, and would be just a hired gun. Again, no passion or love for Penn State, Terry do.

I think giving Terry a 3 year deal would not be a big risk to Kraft's reputation as he has to get it right talking point.

Tell Im wrong, or who else you got, or want?
 
I would like to see Terry get a chance at permanent head coach. He is said to be a good recruiter, the players are playing hard for him. He loves Penn State, and no worry about him leaving right away if he has success. I like his no nonsense press conferences, no used car gobbledygook coachspeak BS
Give him a 3 year contract and see how he does. If he doesn't have great success he will probably fire himself, ya'know because he loves Penn State.
He and maybe Matt are the only ones out there that care as much about PSU as we do, and no buyout like Matt.

If Kraft is considering Manny you have to be giving as much thought into Terry. What has Manny really done? Yeah he had a great pass rushing defense here, but he had incredible talent at that time.
Hartline? You think he would suddenly bring in 5 star wide receivers, maybe, but still as big a gamble as Terry would be. Hartline has no passion or love for Penn State like we do, Terry do.
I like Brohm but he is at home there, and would be just a hired gun. Again, no passion or love for Penn State, Terry do.

I think giving Terry a 3 year deal would not be a big risk to Kraft's reputation as he has to get it right talking point.

Tell Im wrong, or who else you got, or want?
I really like him but that certainly would be underwhelming. Terry hasn't proven anything as a HC or even a coordinator. I am not saying he can't. Just saying he hasn't. Guys like Elko, Diaz, and Drinkwitz have. Even Hartline has a better resume. And hiring Terry as HC certainly would not be a great look for PSU and Kraft in the short term.
 
I really like him but that certainly would be underwhelming. Terry hasn't proven anything as a HC or even a coordinator. I am not saying he can't. Just saying he hasn't. Guys like Elko, Diaz, and Drinkwitz have. Even Hartline has a better resume. And hiring Terry as HC certainly would not be a great look for PSU and Kraft in the short term.
A GM will be key in this day and age, no matter the HC. A solid Xs & Os football guy as HC is a must have. That is, someone who understands the importance of blocking, tackling, and picking up a first down to ice the game. A GM, actually with a no nonsense Pat Kraft or Nick Saban demeanor would help ensure program quality regarding recruitment, hiring, NIL, and problem mitigation. IMO, Terry would be a successful HC if a Nick Saban or Meyer type were also there as GM and mentor. Like or hate Saban, it's now a business and the best leaders are required.
 
Why would Elko leave A&M ?
Drinkwitz would be good, but I say Terry has as much upside as Diaz.
Hard to stomach a Buckeye as head coach.
There will be good coaches out there in 3 or 4 years if Terry doesn't pan out.
 
A GM will be key in this day and age, no matter the HC. A solid Xs & Os football guy as HC is a must have. That is, someone who understands the importance of blocking, tackling, and picking up a first down to ice the game. A GM, actually with a no nonsense Pat Kraft or Nick Saban demeanor would help ensure program quality regarding recruitment, hiring, NIL, and problem mitigation. IMO, Terry would be a successful HC if a Nick Saban or Meyer type were also there as GM and mentor. Like or hate Saban, it's now a business and the best leaders are required.
How many teams have a GM system? Which ones?
 
How many teams have a GM system? Which ones?
From Google AI....it is a new position because teams now have to balance payments (who, what position, age group, HS kids, portal xfers) and harvesting NIL contributors. It lets the HC coach and not get caught up in the money. I mean this both in terms of having more time to coach/recruit as well as being able to have deniability with a player/agent.


While an exact total is not available, many college football programs have hired general managers (GMs), with over 300 attendees, including 15 GMs, at a recent conference. This role, often called director of player personnel, is becoming increasingly common, especially among elite programs.
  • Growing trend: The number of GMs is rapidly increasing as college sports adapt to the transfer portal, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, and a focus on recruiting and player management.
  • Program participation: Some GMs are found in the highest-ranked programs; for example, eight of the 12 teams in a recent College Football Playoff had a GM.
  • Similar roles: The position is sometimes called something different, such as "director of player personnel," but serves a similar function in overseeing roster construction and player acquisition.
 
ORG CHART
Reporting to the GM...
*Dir -Player Scouting
*Dir -Opponent Scouting
*Dir -Quality and Best Practices
*Dir -HS Recruitment
*Dir -Portal Recruitment
*Dir -Finance & Budgeting
*Dir -Player Retention
*Dir -Game Day Experience
*Dir -Conference, NCAA, & Public Policy
*Dir -Travel Logistics
 
Why would Elko leave A&M ?
Drinkwitz would be good, but I say Terry has as much upside as Diaz.
Hard to stomach a Buckeye as head coach.
There will be good coaches out there in 3 or 4 years if Terry doesn't pan out.
Spend a year in College Station someday.
Drinkwitz needs some big wins. Diaz, same.
A Buckeye is not ideal, but they've got the formula.
 
Side Note, but I seem to remember when Smith was at Gateway that he had a bone to pick with PSU and pushed kids away from Happy Valley. IIRC, Justin King was perhaps the only Gateway kid to come to PSU. Anyone remember the details of this?
 
I really like him but that certainly would be underwhelming. Terry hasn't proven anything as a HC or even a coordinator. I am not saying he can't. Just saying he hasn't. Guys like Elko, Diaz, and Drinkwitz have. Even Hartline has a better resume. And hiring Terry as HC certainly would not be a great look for PSU and Kraft in the short term.
I have to agree with you Sheriff. Perhaps we’re all getting caught up with his honesty in Pressers which is very refreshing, but he would be an underwhelming pick. I think the offense and recruiting needs a major overhaul. I also see us taking 20 or so portal guys to offset the current recruiting exodus and our offense needs an identity and an injection of talent at WR. Hope there’s still someone out there who fits that bill and I’d be interested to know how Hartline interviews.
 
IMO we really miss Terry recruiting at the moment. Our recruiting classes are falling apart, he's our best recruiter, and he has not time to reassure the commits.
I don't believe that. I'd bet Terry is in pretty constant contact with a very large number of recruits. I believe the fact that PSU's recruiting has come to a stand still is pretty much solely due to not having a head coach (or coaching staff) going into the end of the season and off season. Unfortunately the early signing day for the 2026 class is coming up in December and unless a head coach is named before then PSU is likely to strike out on the top recruits it had committed such as the RB Spell from McKeesport.

I'm sure Terry Smith would love a chance at the head coaching position, but he may also be open to taking a spot on the next staff with some increased responsibility (or even just more money) from what he had under Franklin. Terry is all PSU and if a head coach is hired that Terry has respect for, possibly such as Diaz, he may stay and be an intergral part of the new staff. Terry is surely recognized not only as a top CB/secondary coach but also as a top recruiter with ties to WPA that would be valuable to any coaching staff at PSU. Terry's no nonsense approach to preparing the current team for the games he's been interum coach for also can't help but improve his resume for who ever becomes the next PSU head coach.

Regarding consideration for being PSU's football GM, I just don't see that as attactive to Terry Smith. He's a no nonsense hands on coach, seems to relate well and loves interacting with 15-20's aged young men given his success as a recruiter and coach, but he doesn't come across as a smoozer or money manager. I'm sure Terry has been very organized in the college coaching roles he's had, but it seems that the evolving role of a big time college football program GM requires more of the skills or an NFL GM such as money management (NIL available vs salary cap), roster management, etc.

I have the utmost respect for Terry, but I'll be very surprised if he is named the next PSU head coach.
 
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