It’s rare for an 8-2 team to fire anybody— let alone a coordinator— during a season, but Penn State did that Sunday.
Less than 24 hours after Penn State lost to Michigan 24-15 Saturday, Penn State fired its offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich.
Jon Sauber of the Centre Daily Times was first on the news. Different outlets confirmed it in the ensuing hours, and then, Penn State made it official.
Dey firing da wrong guy 😅
— L🎱ttery (@MarquisArmani) November 12, 2023
Kirk Ciarrocca, one of the five previous OCs here under James Franklin, will be back in town on Saturday. Ciarrocca is now the OC at Rutgers.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 12, 2023
The reason to fire your offensive coordinator midseason is to be one of the first movers in the OC-hiring market.
I think James Franklin knows who he wants and is going to go after him before others can.
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) November 12, 2023
How many coordinators is Franklin going to go through before he ultimately takes the blame. He’s an awful coach.
— Mike Honcho (@MoShady) November 12, 2023
Now do Franklin
— SnoopySparty🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️ (@SnoopySparty7) November 12, 2023
Honestly, the right move.
— JR’s Rankings 🌰🅾️⭕️ (@jrs_rankings) November 12, 2023
Man, this felt like an absolute slam-dunk hire. Franklin's gotta both find a new slam-dunk guy and figure out exactly what got in Yurcich's way. https://t.co/m1r7W3Wllc
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) November 12, 2023
James Franklin has been the head coach at Penn State since 2014.
Mike Yurcich was the 5th offensive coordinator in those 10 years.
James Franklin firing another OC: https://t.co/GKoFNaPVps pic.twitter.com/Cq2mXx2hqj
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) November 12, 2023
Not a surprise. The offense struggled mightily in the two biggest games this year. Has been highly inconsistent the last two years. Something had to change. https://t.co/W9nyI7LLLZ
— Tommy Lawlor (@lawlornfl) November 12, 2023
I cannot begin to fathom that this was Mike Yurcich’s last play call at Penn State. A sad ending for a good dude who had 3 years but just couldn’t bring back that Moorhead magic. pic.twitter.com/KGG5SGbUtz
— Matty Fresh (@MattyFreshTV) November 12, 2023
It was this moment for me yesterday that let me know that this whole thing is a joke to Mike Yurcich. pic.twitter.com/ZEAEwuQ27H
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) November 12, 2023
In all seriousness for a second, these are people’s jobs, families, and livelihoods we’re talking about here.
I wish Mike Yurcich the best moving forward. But a change needed to occur.
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) November 12, 2023
Mike Yurcich was one of the biggest reasons Drew Allar came to Penn State.
Something to keep an eye on…
— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) November 12, 2023
There's definitely something already in motion.
It may be with Moorhead, but convos have been happening.
You don't just fire your OC and then start thinking who you want to hire. There is a plan in place already being executed on. https://t.co/MH6y94wZpn
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) November 12, 2023
Andy Ludwig – Utah
Blank check type of hire. He’s done a tremendous job despite Utah not having it’s starting QB all season. He almost left Utah for Notre Dame last season. Would he have interest in Penn State?
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) November 12, 2023
Sean Lewis – Colorado
Would make a lot of sense. Had that Colorado offense humming before Deion made a stupid decision demoting him. Has ties to the region as Kent State’s previous head coach. If Penn State wanted him I think they could get him.
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) November 12, 2023
Joe Moorhead – Akron HC
A name everyone knows. Has had success here previously before leaving to become a head coach. With his current struggles at Akron, could the timing be right for a return to Happy Valley?
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) November 12, 2023
Andy Kotelnicki – Kansas
Originally from Connecticut, Kotelnicki has helped elevate Kansas from a doormat to a legitimate offensive unit. He’s a name that at the very least warrants an interview.
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) November 12, 2023
Brennan Marion – UNLV
A former WR coach at Pitt and Texas with PA ties, Marion has UNLV’s offense humming along to an 8-2 record so far. It’s probably too soon to warrant serious consideration, but if Penn State wanted to get a jump on a rising star, he’s an intriguing name.
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) November 12, 2023
Penn State has a chance to do the funniest thing ever. pic.twitter.com/HuTLHqDZhM
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) November 12, 2023
No.
— Dan Senft (@DanSenft89) November 12, 2023
I’m just praying that JF is the top target of TX A&M and he moves on. It won’t happen, but I can hope. But in reality it would be only a rumor and then PSU would extend JF another 5 years and add millions to his contract.
— John Kacz (@Jkacz72) November 12, 2023
Can’t wait for Yurich to take over at Pitt next year. Maybe we’ll get Allar when he’s in the transfer portal https://t.co/Ora2EIzyos
— Wlat Harris (@pantherrants) November 12, 2023
I don’t think Yurich was the problem… https://t.co/J9oq32ovzH
— Raj Lakra (@RajLakra) November 12, 2023
When should Mike Yurich be fired?
— Blue and White #FireFranklin (@BlueWhiteSports) November 11, 2023
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.@CoachDuzzPittFB see you can do it!!! https://t.co/n8BgIkERer
— Thomas Bernthaler (@BernthalerT) November 12, 2023
Well, this happened quickly.
The timing is a surprise, but after James Franklin threw Yurcich under the bus yesterday, you could see this was inevitable. https://t.co/zvDkYKNQEj— Cory Giger (@CoryGiger) November 12, 2023
When will people realize @coachjfranklin is the problem? https://t.co/o6LMUdTWyQ
— Matt (@UofMKwn) November 12, 2023
BREAKING: James Franklin Makes OC His Scapegoat
— Michael Davis (@RealtorMDavis) November 12, 2023
This news broke 18 minutes ago.
James Franklin should already be 30 minutes into a phone call with Sean Lewis. https://t.co/VXJ2pJ1yVr
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) November 12, 2023
After the offensive debacles against Ohio State and Michigan, it's understandable: https://t.co/gGwcksHUai
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 12, 2023
Mike Yurcich’s final play call as Penn State OC was two-point attempt in which he sent offensive linemen out wide. Drew Allar threw an incomplete pass.
PSU’s last flicker of playoff hopes depended on a conversion there since PSU declined XP, and deficit remained two possessions.
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) November 12, 2023
Looking for James Franklin’s next scapegoat pic.twitter.com/qoNGGil5EG
— Wolverine Hot Talk (@Wolverine_HT) November 12, 2023
I’d be blowing up Joe Brady’s phone and telling him to head back to Happy Valley.
— CL4PSU (@cl4psu) November 12, 2023
Franklin the one that needs fired
— CBRSNR (@BMRSNR4) November 12, 2023
Damn Yurcich allowing all those rush yards. He deserved to go
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 12, 2023
Tell us you know nothing about Penn St football without saying so.
— Eric Hagman (@esh714) November 12, 2023
Good afternoon Happy Valley! https://t.co/02DUTOUTw9
— Caroline (@_supcaroline) November 12, 2023
Franklin your next
— RoughAndReady (@LineMountain) November 12, 2023
Yurchich is an OC that can get a team to the 15-20 rank. The only reason we are above that is the defense is a top 5. Time to complement the defense with an OC of the same caliber.
— fitch (@CeeJEverett) November 12, 2023
The next head the ax falls on is James. He’s used all the scapegoats. He needs to have zero control over the offense
— Who’sDanMorgan (@whosdanmorgan) November 12, 2023
1. Sean Lewis
2. Joe Tuddie Moorhead
3. Petrino don’t let him near undergrads— Jim Gibson (@JimGibson09) November 12, 2023
Yeah you’re definitely blocked
— PSU Everything (@PSU_Strong) November 12, 2023
Blocking you
— PSU Everything (@PSU_Strong) November 12, 2023
Joe Brady
1. Turned Joe Burrough into #1 overall
2. Worked with Joe Burrough and now Josh Allen
3. CFB and NFL exp
4. Worked on great staffs. Knows how to game prep
5. Young and relates for recruiting— kevinbender (@kbender4133) November 12, 2023
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO https://t.co/7UKMuKxjDY
— nick (@DrewAllarSZN) November 12, 2023
Well we just made the correct move and fired our OC 👀 https://t.co/M2hrhKgOjd
— will gamble (@willgamble15) November 12, 2023
I don’t think Yurich was the problem… https://t.co/J9oq32ovzH
— Raj Lakra (@RajLakra) November 12, 2023
You can do that midseason? https://t.co/OBO2GELR8V
— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) November 12, 2023
1) from day 1 I said Mike Y was a terrible hire and proved CJF has no idea what he's doing (no identity)
2] thought it was a pipe dream but Andy Ludwig is the guy. Flirting w ND shows me he's available
Joe MO is 2nd option
U don't need to follow another account Joe— PSU BEAT WRITERS SUCK (@PSUFBThoughts) November 12, 2023
He brought in MY to beat the two teams and has not been able to do so. Given time and grace. Gotta make a move.
— JohnAshley (@bosfield1) November 12, 2023
Why wouldn’t you agree with the decision
— Reid (@CHARLOTTES_OWN) November 12, 2023
