Give Franklin a chance

Messrs Sage and Korsak (CDT, 12/1) call for the head of James Franklin after the recent season.

However, it’s worth noting that Joe Paterno’s first season in 1966 resulted in a 50 percent won/lost record. His quarterbacks threw eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. They lost to MSU 42-8 and defeated Maryland 15-7, rather like the performance of this season’s team.

Paterno would have had the advantage of knowing the players he had inherited because he had been associate coach to Rip Engle for several years. While Paterno’s record rapidly improved, he had 10 seasons after that when his record averaged .495. Bill O’Brien averaged .625 and Franklin, .560 (both over two seasons).

There are obviously special considerations underlying all of these statistics ... but I think Paterno would have said, “Give the man a chance!”

This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 1:32 AM with the headline "Give Franklin a chance."