One of the biggest stories last Spring was Nico Iamaleava transferring from Tennessee to UCLA. Iamaleava leaving Tennessee after leading them to a CFP appearance as a freshman was big news. But it’s when UCLA QB Joey Aguilar decided to transfer from UCLA to Tennessee that the story went to the next level. It was like a Hallmark movie, or maybe not, at the time there wasn’t much of a feel-good vibe to it.
But people had genuine interest in the two players and how their new team’s seasons would play out. Four games into the season Iamaleava was struggling, and when HC DeShaun Foster was fired, well, it looked like Nico had made a poor decision. Hallmark moved on and people waited for Tennessee and Aguliar to crash and burn too.
But Tennessee didn’t miss a beat with Aguilar at the helm and Nico’s move looked even worse. Meanwhile Aguliar and his family called the transaction the best thing that could have ever happened. Joey was right where he needed to be.
After Foster was fired at UCLA, Tim Skipper was named interim HC and Jerry Neuheisel took over as offensive coordinator. When that happened Iamaleava had a resurgence, passing for 166 yards, 2 TDs and rushing for 128 yards and 3 TDs against what was then a highly ranked Penn State team. It was the first of three consecutive wins for UCLA and Hallmark was back on the sideline. It looked like everyone was a winner.
But when somebody wins someone else must lose. In this case it was Penn State’s HC James Franklin. With a loss to a winless UCLA followed by a loss to Northwestern at home Penn State decided to move on from Franklin. The new storyline engulfed Nebraska fans since their head man was a Penn State alum and had a strong relationship to Penn State AD Pat Kraft. There was immediately speculation that Rhule would be moving on from Nebraska to take his dream job at Penn State. Husker fans were aghast at the thought.
I’m one. Not so much because of my belief in Rhule, but what it would do to the Nebraska program. In today’s world of NIL and recruiting, it would push Nebraska back to ground zero. Several players would follow Rhule to Penn State, others would leave for new schools and the thought of losing players like 2027 QB Trae Taylor is horrific. Stop – don’t mention Curt Cignetti and Indiana to me, that isn’t the new norm, and anyone who thinks that is delusional.
Rhule hasn’t said anything significant about Penn State to squelch the talk, and multiple sources don’t believe there will be any decision made by Rhule or Penn State until the end of the season. Meanwhile James Franklin sits back and waits to see who will come calling. With seven power four coaches already getting fired there are multiple openings. One is Florida, and there is speculation that Auburn. Wisconsin, Florida State, and possibly LSU will be open by the end of the season. Franklin will have his choice. This week in one of his first press conferences since being fired Franklin had this to say, “I thought we were going to win a national championship there, we were close. That goal hasn’t changed. We’re just going to win a national championship somewhere else now.” Statements like that get people’s attention. It got mine.
So, let me throw this out there. We’ve seen a QB swap, how about a coach swap? If Rhule leaves for Penn State, Nebraska AD Troy Dannen’s first call should be to James Franklin. Why not? Don’t tell me that when Nebraska was searching for a new head coach you wouldn’t have been elated to hire Franklin from Penn State.
Yes, Rhule may be a proven rebuilder of programs, but he’s never shown he can sustain a winning program and culture. Franklin on the other hand is a proven winner. Just compare their records.
Rhule’s record as a head coach is 64-58. He’s coached in 5 bowl games. His overall record after reaching 5 wins is 1-10 in the next game and he’s 2-20 against ranked opponents.
When Penn State fired Franklin, they got rid of one of the top five winningest active coaches in college football. His record in eleven-half season at Penn State is 104-45. He’s coached in 9 bowl games and deep into the CFP. However, his critics are quick to point out he was 15-28 against ranked opponents.
I’ve said since this whole thing began that Penn State is crazy for firing Franklin and looking at Rhule. Franklin’s record outshines Rhule’s, in fact there’s a blinding difference. Franklin’s only fault, he hasn’t won the big one. Sound familiar? How many years did we wait for Tom Osborne to finally win the big one. Would you be willing to suffer through six to ten winning seasons and multiple CFP appearances before winning another national championship?
I’m not saying get rid of Rhule, but Nebraska needs to have a plan in place, because Rhule isn’t clarifying his position and it doesn’t appear he’s going to. Franklin to Nebraska makes too much sense and if it were something that could be accomplished, I don’t think we would see the fall that would normally be expected with a head coaching change. It may not be ‘Google Me’ at Indiana, but I don’t believe Husker fans would be disappointed with the results.
It’s a given Penn State AD Pat Kraft and Rhule have already spoken, or at least their agents. Maybe Nebraska AD Troy Dannen needs to be proactive too and give James Franklin a call. And while he’s at it, maybe give Hallmark a call too, because this sure feels like it could be another feel-good story.
GO BIG RED!!
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