This is the fun part. After all the preparation, all the early mornings and late nights, all the meetings and film sessions and everything else that transforms coaching into a 24-hour-a-day marathon, James Franklin wanted to let loose. He’s apt to do this after victories, and for good reason.
He’s an emotional guy. He’s acknowledged multiple times in the past, embraces it. This who he is. Why run from it or hide it?
So, after Penn State knocked off the 12th-ranked team in the nation on the road on Saturday afternoon, the Penn State head coach went looking for fans to celebrate with. He didn’t have to go far, just to the first few rows of Camp Randall Stadium, home of the Wisconsin Badgers.
The video above shows Franklin sharing his exuberance with alumni and fans who converged on Madison this past weekend. I asked him about this earlier today during his weekly press conference, and specifically, how big of a role does emotion play in his approach to coaching, especially when it comes to connecting with fans, players, and players’ families.
Here’s what he said:
“I think it’s a huge part of my leadership style with our players and how we meet, how we lead, how we bond as coaches and players. I think it’s a big part. It’s my personality, my style, and I have to be authentic and true to who I am in my leadership role.”
Franklin referenced the recruiting process with senior star wideout Jahan Dotson, who caught five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown against Wisconsin. “Getting to know his family well and understanding the successes and challenges and adversity we all go through in our families, being a part of that is meaningful to me and important to me,” Franklin said.
The head coach also mentioned receiving a text message from Nittany Lion standout quarterback Trace McSorley earlier this morning. Point being: connections are important, perhaps just as important as anything else, and creating and maintaining those connections is critical.
Some fans Franklin knows well, some he recognizes. Either by a prior meeting, or sometimes from the wardrobe. Looks matter after all, and if you dress the part, Franklin will notice.
“The gentlemen with the white fedora on Saturday. I don’t know him very well, but I see him at all the games. I feel his passion. I appreciate his passion. He’s also handsomely dressed usually, and I appreciate all those things. When there is an opportunity to connect and show my passion and appreciation for them as well, because they’re a part of our family and process, I want them to feel that as well.”
P.S. The fan rocking the fedora is Cameron Panase, who graduated last year and was the president of Nittanyville during his senior season.
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