Post by doc on Oct 22, 2023 15:05:25 GMT
I remember the days of John Cooper at Ohio State once he was able to turn the team over with his recruits, he won a lot of football games - 111 to be precise. He was a heck of a recruited; he brought in players like Eddie George, Orlando Pace, Korey Stringer, David Boston, Luke Fickel, Andy Katzenmoyer, Antoinne Winfield - the names go on and on. He was likeable. He was great with donors and alumni. A standout in the community. He won the press conferences. He won the games he was supposed to win. Unfortunately he could never win the games he HAD to win. His record vs Michigan and in bowl games was an an abysmal 5-18-1.
I was behind Coop right up the day OSU lost to a far less talented team from South Carolina made the Buckeyes look silly with a running back from Troy, Ohio who the Buckeyes didn't even attempt to recruit. Not big enough, not fast enough but on that day Ryan Brewer showed more heart than the Ohio State team. I knew it was time for a new leader, Cooper was fired, Jim Tressel was hired and since that time Buckeye fans have experienced one of the greatest stretches in Ohio State football history.
I see a lot of Cooper in James Franklin. Likeable. Personable. Obviously a great recruiter. He certainly wins at a high percentage but he doesn't win the games he HAS to win. That was on display again yesterday in Columbus. He had no offensive answers for Ohio State's defense, The Buckeye offense was limited with injuries but they were able to get the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. enough times for him to do dome damage. Granted, Harrison Jr. is one of the top 5 players in the country but you can't let one guy beat you especially when you know shutting him down is the key to winning. I just dont see Franklin as a good, close game manager and that's when the Nittany Lions need him to be at his best.
At some point they'll break through and beat OSU or Michigan. The fan base will celebrate and then they'll lose 14 0ut 0f 18 against those teams. Should they fire him? Probably no. Should he be on a short leach? Well, Ryan Day is 51-6 at Ohio State with 3 playoff losses, 2 Michigan losses and one non-conference loss and there are fans who think HE should be on the hot seat. They should be thankful the Buckeye coach isn't James Franklin (or Lincoln Riley just to add another name).
I was behind Coop right up the day OSU lost to a far less talented team from South Carolina made the Buckeyes look silly with a running back from Troy, Ohio who the Buckeyes didn't even attempt to recruit. Not big enough, not fast enough but on that day Ryan Brewer showed more heart than the Ohio State team. I knew it was time for a new leader, Cooper was fired, Jim Tressel was hired and since that time Buckeye fans have experienced one of the greatest stretches in Ohio State football history.
I see a lot of Cooper in James Franklin. Likeable. Personable. Obviously a great recruiter. He certainly wins at a high percentage but he doesn't win the games he HAS to win. That was on display again yesterday in Columbus. He had no offensive answers for Ohio State's defense, The Buckeye offense was limited with injuries but they were able to get the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. enough times for him to do dome damage. Granted, Harrison Jr. is one of the top 5 players in the country but you can't let one guy beat you especially when you know shutting him down is the key to winning. I just dont see Franklin as a good, close game manager and that's when the Nittany Lions need him to be at his best.
At some point they'll break through and beat OSU or Michigan. The fan base will celebrate and then they'll lose 14 0ut 0f 18 against those teams. Should they fire him? Probably no. Should he be on a short leach? Well, Ryan Day is 51-6 at Ohio State with 3 playoff losses, 2 Michigan losses and one non-conference loss and there are fans who think HE should be on the hot seat. They should be thankful the Buckeye coach isn't James Franklin (or Lincoln Riley just to add another name).
