At Penn State, the most polarizing person in the athletic department is probably always going to be either the athletic director or the head football coach.
For years, James Franklin was beloved by plenty for winning a lot of games and disliked by others for the ones that he lost.
Franklin’s last three losses led to athletic director Pat Kraft firing Franklin, which led to a messy 54-day coaching search that ended with Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. Year 1 of the Campbell era has been rocky so far. Penn State is 3-3, with all three wins coming against programs outside of the Power Four and all three losses coming in the Big Ten. Campbell has received his share of criticism, but plenty of blame has also been placed at the feet of the AD.
At Campbell’s Wednesday availability ahead of the Oct. 17 game at Michigan, he was asked about the support he’s gotten from Kraft, and whether they meet on a regular basis.
‘PAT’S CERTAINLY WILLING…’
“There’s been so much time, effort & energy internally getting ourselves aligned,” Campbell said. “Pat’s certainly willing to be available, wanting to be available & wanting to help every step of the way. My focus has been completely on this building.
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Overall, Campbell’s answer is what one would expect. Right now, the focus is on Michigan.
If Penn State can’t get a win in Ann Arbor Saturday, it will be 0-4 in the Big Ten for the second year in a row, which hasn’t happened since 2003-2004, thought of to be the “dark ages” of Penn State football.
It’s far too early to say whether or not Penn State is in or even approaching new “dark ages,” but whatever happens over the next several years, good or bad, will be a direct result of what Kraft set in motion.
