Penn State Cult (Joe Knew)

[409fold]

If the Sandusky scandal never leaks out into the public, Tom Bradley was probably going to get that job. From all indications, Bradley was the coach in waiting at the end of the Joesus regime. There was a significant segment of The Cult that was pissed Bradley was not retained for the permanent head coaching job even after the scandal broke.

It's an interesting "what if." Scandal or no scandal, JoePa WAS sick, and 2011 WAS going to be the end.

If you recall, JoePa's sickness wasn't revealed the weekend of the PSU/Ohio State game in November 2011. A mere week and a half after his firing. Joe was definitely looking sick the entire year (he was never really coaching from the sideline any more), and the timing of the announcement was just odd. The more cynical side of me thinks that Joe knew about his sickness for awhile.

I don't think Tom Bradley was a "slam dunk." Joe DID really want his son to get the position, and I'd argue that it was probable that Joe makes one last "power play" (likely leveraging his health as part OF that power play) after the 2011 regular season to push Jay toward the head coaching position. Or, demand assurances from either Bradley or Larry Johnson Jr (if they got the job) that Jay remained on the staff.

That would have created a HUGE civil war among the Penn State fan base: nobody was quite as decisive a figure among PSU fans and power-brokers as Jay. Not to mention the dynamic of "how could we turn down the dying patriarch's final request for the program's future?" Also could have created a civil war among the various assistants.

I guess the answer to the "what if?" boils down to "what does Joe do in November-December 2011?" If he doesn't make a "power play", it's Tom Bradley. Safe and logical. If he does make a "power play", all bets are off, it could have become like the upcoming Republican Convention where there's going to be a whole lot of brokering and wheeling and dealing.

There were Urban Meyer to PSU rumors in September-October 2011. I don't think that was solely posturing and leveraging; I DO think there was a certain degree of mutual interest. But I still doubt that would have happened. Ohio State was a nearly perfect fit for Meyer. There was a lot of incumbent talent in Columbus, and better to take over for Fickell who took over for a legend, as opposed to taking over for a legend directly (Joe at PSU).

 

[Steve19]

I wonder how many more national championships they would have won if not for this horrible injustice.

Six million four hundred and eleventy thousand. And four.

 

[Bill Lucas]

There were Urban Meyer to PSU rumors in September-October 2011. I don't think that was solely posturing and leveraging; I DO think there was a certain degree of mutual interest. But I still doubt that would have happened. Ohio State was a nearly perfect fit for Meyer.

Oh Joesus Fucking Christ

 

[409fold]

Oh Joesus Fucking Christ

I've never understood why there is a segment of Ohio State fans who (a) simply refuse to believe there is ANY element of truth (and as such rule it out "out of hand") and (b) are seemingly personally offended at the possibility.

You appear to fall into that segment of Ohio State fans.

As I said, I think Urban was going to Ohio State no matter what, but Penn State in September-October 2011 was a pretty good potential job opening and it was at least a viable option. Stating such does not diminish Ohio State football or Urban in any regard.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

As I said, I think Urban was going to Ohio State no matter what, but Penn State in September-October 2011 was a pretty good potential job opening and it was at least a viable option. Stating such does not diminish Ohio State football or Urban in any regard.

Big difference between "potential" and "genuine interest". Meyer simply had zero interest in anywhere other than Ohio State. Not Michigan, nor Notre Dame, nor Penn State. So, fucking PSU fans kidding themselves into thinking that Meyer would've even mildly considered being their head coach is just that--kidding themselves.

 

[Steve19]

409, I think the point is that Meyer had written Ohio State into an escape clause in every contract over the years. It is where he met his wife. He is an alumnus. Penn State he did not mention. There is no sign of his interest outside of Penn State fan fantasies.

 

[Muck]

In his past contracts Urban always inserted an out clause where he could leave if the head coaching position opened up at either of two schools....Notre Dame or Ohio State.

He took the head coaching job at Florida over Notre Dame.

There is only one school he would drop everything for.

 

[jwinslow]

There is only one school he would drop everything for.

No one drops Tebow.

 

[409fold]

Big difference between "potential" and "genuine interest". Meyer simply had zero interest in anywhere other than Ohio State. Not Michigan, nor Notre Dame, nor Penn State. So, fucking PSU fans kidding themselves into thinking that Meyer would've even mildly considered being their head coach is just that--kidding themselves.

Fair enough, but I can tell by your post. You are another one that is PERSONALLY offended by my post. I can tell it's personal because you have to jab me with the phrases "fucking" and "even mildly considered."

Earle Bruce is Urban Meyer's life-time mentor. They were very close, Meyer's Dad died in early November 2011 and Bruce delivered the eulogy. Earle Bruce does a radio show on WTVN with Jeff Rapp. Rapp blogged the rumors multiple times.

Connect the dots.

Meyer went to OSU, of course, and has been wildly successful. So no reason to be personally offended anyway.

 

[Mike80]

Make sure you PUT extra EMPHASIS on DIFFERENT words so we GET your POINT.....

 

[buckeyesin07]

I've never understood why there is a segment of Ohio State fans who (a) simply refuse to believe there is ANY element of truth (and as such rule it out "out of hand") and (b) are seemingly personally offended at the possibility.

I can't speak for everyone, but for me it boils down to (a) Meyer's from Ohio (I've heard him on many occasions refer to his love for the state, referring to Ohio as "the great State of Ohio"--the next time he utters the words "the great State of Pennsylvania" will be the first, to my knowledge), (b) he had coaching experience at Ohio State, (c) his mentor was HC at OSU, and (d) you aren't going to want to hear this, but OSU was one of the preeminent football programs in the country in the 25 years leading up to his accepting the job, something that Penn State, quite frankly, isn't even close to being. I'll believe there was a real shot Urban was going to go to Penn State just as soon as I'll start believing he there was a real shot that he was going to go to Iowa. Because that's what Penn State is--it's Iowa. Actually, Penn State wishes it were Iowa in the past 30 years (the last time Penn State was relevant on a national scale).

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Fair enough, but I can tell by your post. You are another one that is PERSONALLY offended by my post. I can tell it's personal because you have to jab me with the phrases "fucking" and "even mildly considered."

No, I wasn't personally offended, but it sure seems you are since you equate someone placing simple emphasis in correspondence as a "jab" at you. And it's sure ironic how a member of a fan base that has been fanatically paranoid that the world is out to get them is the one making accusations of others being offended at what he says.

 

[Jaxbuck]

 

[Bill Lucas]

Ain't that the truth Jax. I wasn't offended. I just thought it was delusional and stupid.

 

[409fold]

I can't speak for everyone, but for me it boils down to (a) Meyer's from Ohio (I've heard him on many occasions refer to his love for the state, referring to Ohio as "the great State of Ohio"--the next time he utters the words "the great State of Pennsylvania" will be the first, to my knowledge), (b) he had coaching experience at Ohio State, (c) his mentor was HC at OSU, and

All fair points. Absolutely.

(d) you aren't going to want to hear this, but OSU was one of the preeminent football programs in the country in the 25 years leading up to his accepting the job, something that Penn State, quite frankly, isn't even close to being.

Who said "I don't want to hear this?"

I can't disagree with that. Ohio State's win percentage from 1987-2011 > Penn State's win percentage from 1987-2011. OSU has had more National Titles, OSU had more BCS bowl bids, B1G titles, et cetera.

I'd like to think I've proven myself to be a rational poster.

I'll believe there was a real shot Urban was going to go to Penn State just as soon as I'll start believing he there was a real shot that he was going to go to Iowa. Because that's what Penn State is--it's Iowa. Actually, Penn State wishes it were Iowa in the past 30 years (the last time Penn State was relevant on a national scale).

Yep. We're up to three.