Penn State has one of the best running back tandems in the country, and that didn’t happen due to lack of self confidence.
Nicholas Singleton is playing arguably the best football of his career, going for more than 100 yards in each of Penn State’s first two games plus a receiving touchdown.
Kaytron Allen didn’t light it up statistically Week 1 at West Virginia (10 carries, 20 yards). But Week 2 against Bowling Green at Beaver Stadium told a different tale.
Allen was a force, going for 101 yards on 14 carries.
This tandem wouldn’t be so effective without confidence.
Where does that confidence come from?
Allen gave a clear answer Wednesday at a post-practice media availability.
“It starts with Coach (Ja’Juan) Seider,” Allen said. “He made sure we’re confident. He made sure we know we’re the baddest motherf—s on the field.”
Kaytron Allen on the confidence in the RB room
“It starts with Coach Seider. He made sure we’re confident. He made sure we know we’re the baddest motherf—s on the field.” pic.twitter.com/dX2QHBl2Fb
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 18, 2024
Seider is in his seventh season at Penn State, and he’s had chances to go elsewhere. After the 2021 season, Seider, a Belle Glade, Florida native, was linked to openings at Florida and Florida State.
The then-46-year-old told reporters via Zoom last October that he wants to be a head coach one day, but also made it clear that it would take quite an opportunity for him to leave Penn State.
“An assistant coach, being here six years is unheard of in a lot of places,” Seider said. “So I’m appreciative of that. I’m appreciative of Penn State and coach Franklin… I really enjoy my time here. I mean, this place is special. We all know, when you can come in and it’s 110,000 people behind you on gameday. A lot of times, you have to not take things for granted. I think a lot of times, we get impatient. We feel like we have to do this, we have to go there, we have to go here.”
Seider said he’s turned down “a lot of opportunities” to stay at Penn State.
“Because I don’t think you just leave Penn State for anything.”
Seider feels James Franklin is “the greatest example” of what being a head coach is, and is grateful to be working with him every day.
“To me, those things are important,” Seider said.
Seider also loves State College and loves being able to coach without “all the distractions of being in a city and just doing the other things that other people do.
“It’s also a great place where you can raise your family,” Seider said, “feel comfortable that you can go home and they feel safe, feel welcome. So all the things as a coach and where you want to raise your family, I get that here at Penn State. So I’m enjoying my time here.”
