On the Record: Rowlff’s HC Opinion

As with any coaching search, a lot of names have been mentioned in connection with the Penn State vacancy. Since this is a new process to us all, we have to get used to certain aspects of the college football rumor mill. With Twitter exploding every few minutes, it’s often easy to get carried away with empty gossip.

What I’m essentially looking for is another Joe Paterno from the 60s and 70s. Someone who is young and hungry. Someone who is energetic and charismatic. Someone who will rip into a ref and kid around with the media. Someone that you know would love to knock the smirk off Urban Meyer’s face and pop Brady Hoke in his rotund belly.

I want to legitimately expect Big Ten titles every year and National Championship contention every couple of years. I want to believe that even in a down year; we’re going to mess up other people’s plans. I want to believe that teams who walk into Beaver Stadium with a top-ten ranking are going to leave with a double-digit ranking. I want to not only restore the roar, but to have the rest of the conference quivering in fear of the mighty Nittany Lions.

With all that said, I understand that this transition might require some patience. Perhaps adapting a new scheme will take some time to implement. Perhaps the personnel we currently have does not fit a new scheme. That is completely understandable.

Bottom line: I want new blood, fresh thinking, and tidal waves of energy to wake up the stale, sleeping giant that resides in Happy Valley.

As long as the above stipulation is met, I’ll be happy. Although there are varying degrees of said happiness. Just to be clear that I’m not going to kvetch and moan no matter who is selected, the following is my emotional breakdown of the potential candidates.