A lot of people have had a lot of things to say about Penn State coach James Franklin over the past two weeks, but QB Drew Allar hasn’t changed the way he feels.
“I think he’s one of the best coaches in the country,” Allar told reporters via Zoom late Wednesday morning.
Allar has made these types of comments before, but usually, they come after Penn State wins, since the team hasn’t lost often over the past three years.
With that said, Allar is sticking by his coach even with the team’s backs against the wall.
WHAT ALLAR SAID
James Franklin & Drew Allar.
Here’s what Allar said about why he feels Franklin is one of America’s best coaches.
“He’s done a great job of setting the tone for our team,” Franklin said. “I think he’s given some great messages to us and motivating messages. I think he’s done a great job of that.”
Allar alluded to Franklin’s critics, but all he’s focused on is what’s ahead.
“I know he’s getting a lot of criticism and that sort of thing,” Franklin said, “and nobody knows what he’s going through other than him. I’m excited to go out there and play another game for him, because again, there’s no other coach in the country that I’d rather be going out there for on Saturday. It’s our job as players, including myself, it starts with me, of going out there and executing at a high level so we can go out there and put out our best brand of football.”
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Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: James Franklin celebrates a second half touchdown with Drew Allar.
Later on in the presser, Allar went a little deeper into the relationship he has with his head coach.
“He’s a big reason why I came back in general,” Allar said. “I think for me, it’s always been, with coach Franklin, even since recruiting, it’s always been bigger than football. A big reason why I came to Penn State is the football part of it, but it’s also the culture he’s built here. Between the family atmosphere and the coaches that he brings into the program feed off to the players, and really, the players that he brings in and the players that he recruits here at Penn State. It’s a true brotherhood. I think he’s done a great job of building that culture from the ground up since 12 years ago when he was hired here. He’s done a phenomenal job of that.
Allar feels he and Franklin share similarities.
“So being able to relate to him, and really his family, they have been a great resource for me when I’ve gone through trials and tribulations. I’m really close with his wife and his two daughters. So, they mean a lot to me. They mean a lot to other players as well. Even if they’re not here anymore, there’s always former players coming back. It’s just because of the culture that he’s built here.
Allar knows that for Penn State to get back on track, he must do his part as the QB.
“Just going out there and putting my best foot forward and writing the wrongs that we’ve made so far.”
Penn State takes on Northwestern at 3:30 Saturday on FS1 from Beaver Stadium.
