Penn State Football: James Franklin tops Big Ten head coaching power rankings

Is James Franklin the best head coach in the Big Ten Conference? CBS Sports seems to believe so.

Times are changing in the Big Ten Conference. With the departure of Ohio State’s head coach Urban Meyer, it seems as though a new head coach has taken the top spot at the conference’s best. Although nobody is doubting Ohio State in 2019, it’s difficult to call a first, full-time head coach the best. Therefore, Ohio State’s staff no longer has the top spot.

Recently, CBS Sports has decided to put together a power rankings list based on the best head coaches in the Big Ten. Typically, the Buckeyes would be on top of the list, but the Penn State football program would be happy to know that their guy is being acknowledged as the conference’s best. Yes, James Franklin comes in first on the list, and the timing couldn’t be any more perfect.

Right now, the Nittany Lions’ football program is going through a lot. As the team is trying to squeeze in as many visiting recruits as they can before a long break comes up, they are dealing with an issue that’s been leaving a wrong impression. This season, there are tons of early decommit’s around the nation — but recently Penn State has dealt with it the worst. Not one, not two, but three players from 2020 class recently backed out of their commitment with Penn State.

Now, many fans and media outlets, including ourselves, are questioning what’s going on behind the scenes with James Franklin and company. But just as we question the man, we get reassured that the Nittany Lions are still in good shape heading into the 2019 season, despite losing a few guys who were committed. Here’s what CBS Sports had to say regarding Franklin, and their decision to list him as the Big Ten’s best in charge.

The quote from CBS Sports:

"“Franklin ascends to the top spot, and it makes sense. Meyer took over Ohio State in 2012, but the Buckeyes weren’t eligible to for a conference title until 2013. Since then, only two other coaches besides Meyer have won Big Ten titles, and Franklin’s one of them. He inherited a Penn State program that was in shambles following the Jerry Sandusky revelations, and Bill O’Brien’s unexpected departure. After an (expected) slow start that saw Penn State go 14-12 in his first two years, the Nittany Lions have gone 31-9 the last three seasons, won a conference title and played in two New Year’s Six bowls. Now, as 2019 begins, expectations will only get higher.”"