Penn State Nittany Lions

BTN analyst says Penn State's Franklin much more than recruiter

Published Jul. 22, 2015 2:53 p.m. ET

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James Franklin already has a pair of top-25 recruiting classes signed since he became head coach at Penn State, and his 2016 effort could end up in the nation's top 10.

But in their first season on the field under the direction of Franklin, the Nittany Lions lost six games, leading some to wonder if Franklin is better off the field than on it.

Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo -- the former Indiana and LSU coach who also, like Franklin, once coached at Vanderbilt -- told PennLive.com that is unfair.

"I watch him in practice, he's very involved in every aspect," DiNardo said. "He's very much involved in the X's and O's. It's unfair for certain people to characterize him as a great recruiter and not potentially a great coach at Penn State because he knows the game and has a terrific staff."

Of course a limited roster contributed to Franklin's results, but the previous two seasons with similar constraints saw Penn State go 15-9 under Bill O'Brien.

Still, DiNardo sees better days ahead based on Franklin's success at Vanderbilt.

"Long term, they're going to be in the hunt almost every year, if not every year, once James Franklin has established himself," DiNardo said. "I think it's fair, when you look at the Big Ten East, you have to give a new coach four or five years to compete for a championship. I think that's where Penn State's headed."

(H/T PennLive.com)