Exiting the sultry late summer humidity for the climate-controlled familiar confines of the press room, the legion of journalists covering your Penn State Nittany Lions football squad impatiently elbowed their way toward seats - and not merely to escape the heat outside. No, friends, things have changed in Happy Valley. Viewed from distance, the sheer anticipation created by James Franklin among the faithful for the upcoming 2018 foosball season stands in stark contrast to almost every season from the past 20 years - but especially from the tumult of his hiring.
What an evolution. Just 4 seasons ago, after taking the dais from then-acting Athletic Director Dave Joyner, an effervescent, barely contained James Franklin boldly announced his intention to serve as Penn State’s “Unity Coach”, and proclaimed his immediately availability for inflating balloons at childrens’ birthday parties.