Recruiting Forum Football Talk IX

[MarcoVol]

I’m not hanging my hat on Golesh. Just said he was a better option than the others on that ChatGPT list. You really want a guy that bounces before he gets found out about. Not if you’re a school that just paid Franklin’s buyout. Rhule will not be successful there. Feel feee to keep that in your receipt book.

Nah no receipts, appreciate the convo. Very curious to see what they do. And what all these other schools do. It’s crazy season out here.

 

[RandomUTfan]

I’m not hanging my hat on Golesh. Just said he was a better option than the others on that ChatGPT list. You really want a guy that bounces before he gets found out about. Not if you’re a school that just paid Franklin’s buyout. Rhule will not be successful there. Feel feee to keep that in your receipt book.

sight unseen (the AI bit) I trust you VolRaleighNC over AI on choosing an ideal candidate for a coaching opening. And pretty much anything else that can be done by AI.

 

[VolsFan-TX]

I am watching the SF vs TB game and Jauan Jennings caught a 3rd down pass for a 1st down. The announcer said it was caught by "3rd down Jennings as he is known around the league". Good to see Jauan still performing well.

 

[dmwvol12]

Haha keep reading. Still not on the cheating bandwagon. Too difficult to pull off.

Just heavier and heavier on the refs are horribly inept side of the argument. Moments are too big for them. They’re like a visiting QB to Neyland that lets the atmosphere eat him up.

What’s your theory on why they consistently favor the same teams? It would seem like ineptitude would be more balanced and it’s definitely not. Not being a smart a$$ but genuinely curious. I agree cheating is hard to pull off but the evidence is piling up pretty high. I honestly don’t know how being inept can explain the Auburn game last night.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Haha keep reading. Still not on the cheating bandwagon. Too difficult to pull off.

Just heavier and heavier on the refs are horribly inept side of the argument. Moments are too big for them. They’re like a visiting QB to Neyland that lets the atmosphere eat him up.

Its def got to be a few bad apples. SEC needs to figure it out quick, one way would be opening up challenges.

 

[Jimmy Football]

$50m in failure money comes at you fast…

 

[MarcoVol]

What’s your theory on why they consistently favor the same teams? It would seem like ineptitude would be more balanced and it’s definitely not. Not being a smart a$$ but genuinely curious. I agree cheating is hard to pull off but the evidence is piling up pretty high. I honestly don’t know how being inept can explain the Auburn game last night.

Shew that AUB game was something.

But Bama, UGA fans also complain incessantly about refs. And the refs are so bad in other games many times don’t even matter. Like a random UK - USCe game.

 

[Jackcrevol]

GROK: Did Adidas Drive the Firing of Penn State Coach James Franklin?

Yes, multiple reports and insider sources indicate that Adidas played a significant role in the decision to fire Penn State head football coach James Franklin on October 12, 2025, midway through his 12th season. This came after a shocking three-game losing streak (to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern), dropping the Nittany Lions to 3-3 despite preseason national title expectations. Franklin, who compiled a 104-45 record at Penn State including a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance last year, was let go despite a massive contract buyout—estimated at $49.7 million to $56 million, the second-largest in college football history.Key Details on Adidas' Involvement

• Financial Backing for the Buyout: Adidas reportedly committed to covering most or all of Franklin's buyout as part of their new $300 million, 10-year apparel deal with Penn State (set to replace a 30+ year Nike partnership starting in 2026). This financial incentive reportedly made the firing feasible, removing a major barrier for university leadership.
• Timing and Pressure: Sources claim Adidas pushed for a coaching change before the recent losses, viewing Franklin as an obstacle to the program's future under their branding. The deal includes enhanced Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources, which Adidas tied to a "fresh start" for the team.
• Broader Controversy: The switch to Adidas has sparked outrage among some Penn State board of trustees members, who allege they weren't shown full contract details from either Adidas or Nike during negotiations. The university has denied any misconduct.

Official University Response
Penn State's athletic director Pat Kraft praised Franklin's legacy in a statement, calling him a builder of a "national power," but emphasized the need for new leadership. Assistant coach Terry Smith was named interim head coach for the rest of the season. The school vigorously denied irregularities in the Adidas deal process via a statement from trustees.

Public and Media Reaction on X (formerly Twitter)
The rumor spread rapidly on X today, with sports insiders amplifying it:

• A Penn State source told reporter Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) that "Adidas drove the James Franklin firing and [is] why it happened today." @MikeAsti11 This post garnered over 5,000 likes and 400 reposts within hours.
• Users speculated on legal angles, with one noting excitement for Franklin's lawyers if Adidas overstepped: "If there is anything to rumors of Adidas forcing the Franklin firing... I think I’d be pretty excited if I was James Franklin’s lawyer." @SportsHutch
• Others highlighted the buyout funding: "Before you bring up the James Franklin firing, apparently Adidas is bankrolling most of the buyout."

Deer lord, had they been here for Botch ball...

 

[MarcoVol]

Its def got to be a few bad apples. SEC needs to figure it out quick, one way would be opening up challenges.

Conference also needs to go to that booth view / sound like the ACC does

 

[CABVOL]

The best and the worst fanbase.

 

[DD4ME]

Fair

 

[DD4ME]

I am watching the SF vs TB game and Jauan Jennings caught a 3rd down pass for a 1st down. The announcer said it was caught by "3rd down Jennings as he is known around the league". Good to see Jauan still performing well.

Should have seen the block he laid on a guy.

 

[logginlarry]

Alabama -8

I’d guess 7 of those 8 points will be engineered

 

[RandomUTfan]

Nevermind. I don't think a fruitful conversation on officiating is possible. I think if fans got the explanation they seek, they wouldn't recognize it as true.

 

[DD4ME]

 

[Jackcrevol]

Fair

What did they do with Cucker. New Rucker makes too much cents. This New Rucker waaay better than ole Rucker.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Yes, please. Here, we are better

 

[RandomUTfan]

Holy cow Tom Moore is still in the NFL coaching for the Bucs? Wild.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

The officiating is even worse than I thought it was last night. Bama should just tackle our d line after watching the film

I don’t know how many times I saw one or more of our DL breaking through and all of a sudden jerk back or momentum completely stop when they were at the point of not being stopped legally from getting past their blocker.

 

[pierce60]

I believe Matt Rhule takes Penn State job if offered. Rhule was walk-on LB and played for Paterno. He is from that area and would recruit really well ..

Also coached at Temple

 

[SagginVawls]

Nope. I looked at it Monday and picked up some players. I didn't know Leavitt was going to be our and I didn't adjust my lineup on Friday like I usually do. First week I haven't had a full lineup

I got lucky

 

[dmwvol12]

Curious how many people think we will win next week no questions. If you are in that camp what is your theory or belief about how? I certainly think we can, but it's not a slam dunk to me. It would be a shoot out in my vision for victory and we'd just have the ball last.

I’m a sunshine pumper and I think a win is a long shot. If we play our best we can definitely beat them but we have numerous weaknesses, especially on defense. There’s a lot of film on how to exploit our defense. Alabama doesn’t look elite either which gives us a shot. I think we have to win the turnover battle and hit some explosive plays to have a legitimate chance. I also think the zebras will favor the red team. We will need to bring some serious heat in Ty or he will shred our secondary. Go Vols but winning next week will be difficult.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

I wish we got better reports on injured guys. Heupel says Bishop isn't "long-term" but that could mean anything from amputation to a sprained ankle.

My cup is squarely on to be kicked in the nads with the injury report on Bishop as the week progresses. Worried it ends up being a high ankle sprain and we know how those go for us…out for 4-6 weeks minimum.

 

[ETNVolunteer1]

No but Neuhuisel has proved he deserves a OC job at UCLA or another University. Terry Donahue isn't walking Through the door at UCLA, they need to be picky on their next HC

They’re probably just going to make the interim the HC and Neuheisel the new OC too. With all of the openings they won’t get anyone better.

 

[RandomUTfan]

My cup is squarely on to be kicked in the nads with the injury report on Bishop as the week progresses. Worried it ends up being a high ankle sprain and we know how those go for us…out for 4-6 weeks minimum.

Someone I did see earlier said the broadcast said it was an ankle and he tried to tape it up and go but couldn't. Seems like if it was a high ankle sprain he wouldn't have been able to even attempt that. I don't know how the severity of ankle sprains vary really though. I guess we'll see.