Neil Ahmed

Penn State Football: Worst Season in Program History?

After a fourth straight loss to begin their season, The Penn State Nittany Lion Football program is winless. The last time Penn State Football started 0-4, and were AP Preseason Top Ten was back in 1984. Just over three months and a half months ago, the Associated Press released their official preseason rankings. Penn State was ranked eighth in the country out of 125 eligible teams. 

After losing their season opener to third-ranked Ohio State, Penn State was still ranked in the Associated Press’ top 25. The following week, they lost a 1 point nail-bitter to Indiana University pushing them outside of the Top 25. Their program’s loss to the University of Maryland put them at 0-3, the worst start in school history since 2001. Following a loss to an all-around lesser talented Maryland team, Penn State headed west and lost to an also winless, Nebraska team. Half way through their 8-game shortened season, The current state of Penn State’s Football program is failing, and unfortunately, in the business of college football the head coach, James Franklin, has to take the blame. 

Yes, there are still four games left, and hypothetically, Penn State Football could end up with a record of 4-4. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of the teams in the NCAA canceled their season and the other half are playing a shorter seasons. Usually teams play an odd number of games, and Penn State could benefit from this, if they win out and finish 4-4. Finishing .500, allows them to possibly compete in a Bowl Game. Competing for entry into a Bowl Game is not the same as competing for a National Championship, but would bring in a lot of revenue for the University. Unfortunately, their odds of winning four consecutive games is unlikely 

Coach Franklin knew what he signed up for, and has the tough responsibility of leading a team when all has gone wrong. The University believes in him to turn the program around. In early 2020, Penn State Head Coach James Franklin was rewarded by the University with a 6-year, 38.2 million dollar contract. At that point in time, his results were indicative of a long term contract offer. He is set to earn 5.4 million dollars this year, making him the highest paid employee in the state of Pennsylvania. However, four games into his new contract, he’s winless. At this level, winning is everything.

Part of the reason a head coach is rewarded with such a large contract is that they are considered to be the leader of the program, and ultimately “know how to win.” Great coaches are paid seven figures to lead student-athletes in the classroom, on the field, and off the field. I was the bullpen catcher, manager, and the head coach’s right hand man for the University of Maryland’s Baseball Team, where this was certainly the case. 

Our head coach didn’t make seven figures, but I can assure you that head coach’s care more about winning than anything. In fact, winning was the only thing that mattered. In order to win, a team must have an identity, sense of unity and ultimately, be on the same page as their coaches.

During a year where people are getting laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d argue that Penn State Football fans do not take lightly that the team is sitting at 0-4. This requires one of two changes, a change in record or a change in Head Coach.