Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

Here goes Cignetti to Penn State.

droop10 wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:21 pm

Everythingsducky wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 6:33 pm As crazy as it is, gotta think Franklin’s seat is getting warm.

He has a $56M buyout. He’s not going anywhere.

Who’s this idiot?! Honestly shocked they pulled the trigger, but the UCLA/Northwestern back to back is tough to overcome, in addition to the season probably cratering further post-Allar injury.

droop10 wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 12:03 pm

droop10 wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:21 pm

Everythingsducky wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 6:33 pm As crazy as it is, gotta think Franklin’s seat is getting warm.

He has a $56M buyout. He’s not going anywhere.

Who’s this idiot?! Honestly shocked they pulled the trigger, but the UCLA/Northwestern back to back is tough to overcome, in addition to the season probably cratering further post-Allar injury.

Lol. I thought the same thing you did. I don't think anyone in 100 years would've predicted 3 straight losses, especially to the likes of a winless ucla team, and then northwestern.

pdxduck2013 wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 11:19 am Here goes Cignetti to Penn State.

Matt Rhule is likely going to be their top choice as he grew up in State college, played at Penn State, and was hired at Temple by current PSU AD Pat Kraft.

It's going to be really interesting to see who Oregon State is able to land. The next coach should have it better than Bray had it, as they'll have a conference schedule and be in a more favorable NIL situation than most of their opponents, though further away from talent than most. I'm not counting on them getting a real up and comer, but should have at least some options.

This morning, I'm wondering if Penn State eating a massive buyout to fire Franklin will at all push Michigan State toward making a move on Jonathan Smith. Smith was 5-7 in year one, and though he sits at 3-3 this year, will be lucky to get to 5 wins. He doesn't have one problem alone, but hitching his wagon to Aiden Chiles was a bet that did not pay off. If Smith is still the coach is 2027, I think he will continue to be in a tough spot as it's not clear whether he should stay with Chiles or consider bringing in a transfer QB. If they dump Smith, they could go get either Jason Eck or maybe even pick up James Franklin.

The Penn State opening has made Curt Cignetti a rich, rich man. Indiana has given him a new deal that pays him over $11M/yr on average.

Look, at this point in time, it seems like he's doing a great job. But might I refer you to Mark Helfrich and a million other coaches as evidence that 1.5 seasons does not make a 10 year projection of success.

Saw a rumor of Coach O going to Oregon State, that would be wild.

greenyellow wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 2:51 pm

pdxduck2013 wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 11:19 am Here goes Cignetti to Penn State.

Matt Rhule is likely going to be their top choice as he grew up in State college, played at Penn State, and was hired at Temple by current PSU AD Pat Kraft.

I'm not completely sold on Matt Rhule. Yes, he's proven that he knows how to rebuild college football programs. His tenure at Temple, Baylor and now Nebraska are proof of that.

On the other hand, his college coaching record overall is just 64–57, and he hasn't been at any one place long enough to prove that he can maintain a winning program, as well as no championship pedigree. I personally think this would be a step back from Franklin.

Urban Meyer brought up Dan Mullen as being a good candidate, but that feels like another Matt Rhule hire. Mullen rebuilt Mississippi State and UNLV, but failed to show continuity at Florida.

I'm not even sure who's truly qualified at this point to take over the Penn State program. They'd have to have a strong resume of success, even as an assistant, be a very good coach with a strong network of candidates for assistants, build a staff of strong recruiters, and, preferably for them, someone who has Big-10 or SEC experience.

It's hard to say how long they'll wait to make an announcement. They definitely need to do so before the end of the season so they can salvage this recruiting class, as well as be able to take advantage of the now January transfer portal.

I guess it's another wait and "stay tuned" situation.

StevensTechU wrote: Thu Oct 16, 2025 4:51 pm The Penn State opening has made Curt Cignetti a rich, rich man. Indiana has given him a new deal that pays him over $11M/yr on average.

Look, at this point in time, it seems like he's doing a great job. But might I refer you to Mark Helfrich and a million other coaches as evidence that 1.5 seasons does not make a 10 year projection of success.

That is a lot of money for a coach who has yet to actually accomplish anything at Indiana.

I would appreciate the symmetry of Penn State hiring Clark Lea from Vanderbilt. Vandy is a private school but it's estimated that he makes $3.7M, he has his team in the top 25, and has beaten big teams. It'll never happen but I would get a kick out of a Vanderbilt-to-Penn State coaching pipeline.

dthomas=ddixon wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 6:01 am

StevensTechU wrote: Thu Oct 16, 2025 4:51 pm The Penn State opening has made Curt Cignetti a rich, rich man. Indiana has given him a new deal that pays him over $11M/yr on average.

Look, at this point in time, it seems like he's doing a great job. But might I refer you to Mark Helfrich and a million other coaches as evidence that 1.5 seasons does not make a 10 year projection of success.

That is a lot of money for a coach who has yet to actually accomplish anything at Indiana.

Getting to the semis is farther than anything than we've done with our coach.

UOducksTK1 wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 9:37 am

dthomas=ddixon wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 6:01 am

StevensTechU wrote: Thu Oct 16, 2025 4:51 pm The Penn State opening has made Curt Cignetti a rich, rich man. Indiana has given him a new deal that pays him over $11M/yr on average.

Look, at this point in time, it seems like he's doing a great job. But might I refer you to Mark Helfrich and a million other coaches as evidence that 1.5 seasons does not make a 10 year projection of success.

That is a lot of money for a coach who has yet to actually accomplish anything at Indiana.

Getting to the semis is farther than anything than we've done with our coach.

They lost in the first round of the playoffs last year... so Cig has had 1.5 good regular seasons and no post-season victories—conference, bowl, or playoff. Lanning has won a conference title and two bowl games.

lol hard brain fart, sorry. Idk why I was thinking Penn State.

This is true.

greenyellow wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 2:51 pm

pdxduck2013 wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 11:19 am Here goes Cignetti to Penn State.

Matt Rhule is likely going to be their top choice as he grew up in State college, played at Penn State, and was hired at Temple by current PSU AD Pat Kraft.

After Nebraska lost to Minnesota last night, Matt Rhule should be "Rhuled out" as a candidate at Penn State. IMO