Penn State’s Pat Kraft, Terry Smith speak for 1st time after James Franklin’s firing

For the first time in 12 years, Penn State will have a different head coach addressing the media for a weekly press conference.

Interim head coach Terry Smith and athletic director Pat Kraft will hold a press conference Monday, starting at noon, after longtime head coach James Franklin’s firing Sunday afternoon.

Franklin joined Penn State in 2014, finished tied for second with 104 wins all-time in his post. Three straight losses, including back-to-back to UCLA and Northwestern as more than 20-point favorites, forced Penn State’s hand to make the move.

Smith was the obvious choice as the interim coach. A Penn State letterman, he rejoined the Nittany Lions as an assistant coach with Franklin’s arrival and has been one of the university’s biggest advocates since. Smith is a strong recruiter and a no-nonsense presence in the locker room. He previously served as the associate head coach and cornerbacks coach.

Kraft, who came to Penn State in July 2022, will have the chance to make his most impactful hire at Penn State yet.

Stay tuned throughout the afternoon for updates from the duo. Kraft is set to speak first at noon, while Smith will follow him around 12:15.

TERRY SMITH UPDATES

—Smith starts by thanking Franklin for “an incredible 11-plus years of service.” Adds that he learned so much from Franklin. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for me to have worked for him.”

He said he appreciates the opportunity from Kraft to run this program. “I’m a third-generation Penn Stater... I call this place home. I love this place.”

Says the program needs to stick together and “keep the standard the standard.” Nothing changes with the expectation here.

The team needs to get back to enjoying football, being tough, being gritty and being passionate.

—Smith is asked about his reaction to Franklin’s firing and if he’s spoken to Franklin since.

Smith says he found out Sunday afternoon around 1:20 p.m. “I was stunned.” Said he spoke with Franklin last night in a “heartfelt conversation.” Smith wanted to express his gratitude.

Said Franklin took Penn State out of a “dark era.”

—Smith is asked about the “temperature” of the team and the locker room.

Said guys are shocked that it happened. Added that every person in the Lasch Building was brought in by Franklin, so there’s a sense of loyalty.

“Now it’s my job to press us forward.”

Reiterated they’ve got to get grittiness, toughness, swag and fun back.

—Smith is asked about recruiting.

“I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

He said he’s recruited about three-fourths of the roster. Said they will continue to recruit.

“One thing that hasn’t changed is Penn State is Penn State. We all know the expectation of being here.”

Said Penn State will be successful moving forward one way or another.

—Smith is asked if he sees this as a chance to prove he can be the full-time head coach.

He’s thankful for Kraft and the opportunity. Reiterates he loves Penn State and wants nothing but to help this place win and is willing to do whatever that takes.

Said he would love the opportunity to be the head coach if it was out there.

—Smith is asked about potential staff changes.

“Not immediately” other than his own cornerback position. Jordan Lucas will take that role.

Will take a deeper look “each day” moving forward.

—Smith is asked how Franklin took the news and if he talked to the team.

Franklin did talk to the team and let them know. “As you can imagine, it was emotional.”

“James is a great guy, man. He’s done so much for all of us.”

—Smith was asked if there was hesitation to take the interim job.

He said Franklin has always told him he’d be the choice if anything happened.

“I will lead this program to the best of my ability.”

—Smith is asked if he can simplify Jim Knowles’ defense moving forward.

Said they need to get the defensive line in sync. “Everything starts up front.” Also said offensive line needs to be addressed this week. Goes back to his statement of toughness.

—Smith is asked about how we got here.

Said he doesn’t really have an explanation for losses to this point. Points to close wins last season when the “ball bounced our way.”

—Smith is asked about why he loves Penn State.

Says his dad going to school at PSU set a tone for his family. Said everything he’s learned at Penn State has gotten him to this point. Now he wants to give back.

—Smith is asked about new starting QB Ethan Grunkemeyer.

He states their confidence in him. Says he has a strong arm, is athletic and is smart.

“He’s going to be ready.”

—Smith is asked how he defines success for this season.

“Success is defined by the team pulling the rope in the same direction.”

Said he doesn’t think any team they’ve played has been better than Penn State to this point.

“I promise we’re going to put a better product on the field.”

—Smith is asked personnel questions about CB A.J. Harris and OL Cooper Cousins.

Said Harris was benched during the Norhtwestern loss and Cousins is dealing with a week-to-week injury.

—Smith is asked how Penn State lost its swag and toughness.

He said there are a number of reasons, including navigating NIL and money in the locker room.

“That’s my job now. I’ve gotta bring everyone together to see the benefits of how we can all succeed as one.”

—Smith is asked about the potential for players sitting out for the rest of the season and entering the transfer portal.

“My message to all of them is that you signed up to play football.”

Says you have to earn production on the field. You won’t earn money elsewhere without production.

“We have an opportunity to come together, win the season, shock the world and we all can have success together.”

PAT KRAFT UPDATES

—Kraft opens by saying James Franklin is a “tremendous” man, father, mentor and friend. Added that he’s always represented Penn State with absolute class.

“We are all incredibly fortunate to have had James Franklin lead our football program.”

Wishes Franklin and his family nothing but success in the future.

Then says Penn State holds its programs to the highest standards of success, and it’s his job to make tough decisions.

Football is their highest investment.

“I believe a new leader can help us win a national championship.”

—Kraft says the next coach will be somebody who embodies everything Penn State stands for.

Looking for someone who keeps recruiting a pillar and makes Penn State a destination. But adds it’s also about the modern era of college football. Needs to maximize “elite level” resources and embrace the transfer portal.

Honors tradition of Penn State, but isn’t afraid to evolve. Ignites fan base around shared belief that Penn State is capable of greatness.

Says Penn State has made significant investments, including a stadium renovation, and has nothing but confidence about Penn State’s future.

“All our focus should be around the young men in Lasch right now who wear the Blue and White. They deserve every ounce of our support.”

—Kraft is asked about the structure of the buyout.

Said he won’t get into the financials. But says this is an athletics issue, not an institutional issue. Athletics will absorb all the cost of Franklin’s buyout.

—Kraft is asked when he reached the decision and how difficult it was.

Kraft says this was “extremely, extremely difficult” over the last 48 hours. Felt after Saturday that where Penn State was and where the program was going that this was the time for the hard decision.

“You have to make the decision with a whole heart and with conviction... I knew it was the right course of action for us as a program.”

Kraft said this is not a three-game reaction. He reiterated his desire to win a national championship. “I believe our fans deserve that.”

—Kraft is asked if this got to a point that the state of the program was untenable going forward.

“I think you’re right.” Something this significant doesn’t “come on a whim.”

Looking at where the program was and where they want to be, Kraft says he felt there was no other course.

Reiterated this is a different era of football (transfers, NIL, etc.).

—Kraft is asked about more about the financials, considering the addition of revenue sharing this year.

He said those types of things come into play during the coaching search. Adamant that the new coach has to be able to use resources to build a roster.

—Kraft is asked about recruiting ramifications with the firing of Franklin.

He said every Power Four team has probably already reached out to Penn State’s players. Continues to say Terry Smith was chosen as interim coach partially because he is an “elite recruiter.” Thinks Smith settling in will help weather the storm, and Kraft said he is willing to be involved.

—Kraft is asked when he first thought this could be a possibility and if Franklin’s record against top-10 competition played a factor.

He said he weighs everything when he makes a decision: analytics, data, etc. Adds how this year played out, after starting as the No. 2 team, came into consideration.

Says he wanted to continue looking at how to turn this place into the best program in the country.

“You always have to be prepared (to make this decision).”

—Kraft is asked about Drew Allar’s college career ending this weekend with an injury.

Kraft said it’s hard for him not to be emotional about it. Started to tear up.

“He’s just an amazing kid. He’s been through a lot.”

Said anyone who doubts Allar’s commitment to Penn State football doesn’t know “what the hell” they’re talking about.

Said he understands NIL changes things, but makes clear he’s still just a kid.

“There’s not a negative word that comes up.”

“The fact that he stuck with us is pretty awesome.”

—Kraft is asked how the fan base comes back together after this decision.

“Penn State’s built for stuff like this.” Adds it should come down to one thing, the kids in the locker room.

“You can hate me, you can hate James, but rally around them. They deserve it.”

—Kraft is asked if interim coach Terry Smith would be considered for the full-time job.

“Absolutely.”

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