Penn State players, coaches describe unknown as nerve-wracking [opinion]

Interim head football coach Terry Smith described Ethan Grunkemeyer as Penn State’s quarterback of the future this week.

That might be true, but Grunkemeyer could just as easily wind up at another school after the season ends. It all depends on what the next Nittany Lions coach thinks of him or if he brings in a hand-picked quarterback.

To describe the emotions and the tension inside the Lasch Football Building these days as a distraction would be an understatement.

“It can be hard because there’s so much uncertainty around everything,” Grunkemeyer said Tuesday. “When Coach (James) Franklin (was fired), when that all happened, you’re not sure what’s next. It can be nerve-wracking.”

The Penn State football staff and the players themselves are understandably on edge.

“The reality is no one knows who is going to be here,” Smith said. “When the next head coach is hired, that person could wipe the whole building out.”

Some assistant coaches and staff members could join Franklin at his next job, which could be determined in the next few weeks. Some might go elsewhere. Some might want to stay, even though that decision will not be up to them.

Some have been in State College since 2014, or even longer, planting family roots there.

“It’s been a lot both professionally and personally,” quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien said. “It’s been very emotional. It’s been hard on all of us.”

Fifteen years ago, O’Brien was the starting quarterback at Maryland and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American. A few weeks after the regular season, his offensive coordinator (Franklin) left to become head coach at Vanderbilt and his head coach (Ralph Friedgen) was fired.

“I’ve taken this as an opportunity to help guide these kids who have not been through something like this, most of them in their entire careers,” O’Brien said. “How to focus on being present and focus on the mission at hand and to tune out stuff. It’s easier said than done.

“It’s my job not only to get them ready to play the game but also to help them navigate the emotions that certainly everyone in this building is going through right now.”

It’s a small wonder that the Penn State coaches and players have managed to concentrate on preparing and playing games.

Since director of athletics Pat Kraft fired Franklin on Oct. 12, the Lions have lost at Iowa (25-24) and No. 1 Ohio State (38-14) and at home to No. 2 Indiana (27-24). They played their best game of the season on offense and defense against the Hoosiers in a last-minute defeat.

They’ve somehow found a way to stay present.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the approach they’ve taken every day at practice,” O’Brien said. “They’re all playing their rear ends off. All of our big goals we had going into the year are gone, obviously. It’s been really cool to see them be unfazed by that.

“Coach Smith has done an unbelievable job with how he’s running the team meetings and his messages before and after practices.”

Coaches from other colleges are contacting many of the players who have eligibility after this season. The transfer portal opens Jan. 2, and there could be a large number of players leaving Penn State and heading to State College from other schools.

“Honestly, my head is where my feet are,” safety King Mack said. “I’m just worried about us continuing to finish strong and get ourselves out of this storm (six-game losing streak). Whenever that time comes (to decide whether to stay or go), then that will be my focus.

“As of now, I’m worried about us keeping our heads in the right space so we could perform on Saturdays.”

They have three Saturdays to go, starting this week with a trip to Michigan State. They return home to face Nebraska and then finish at Rutgers. Who knows what will happen after that?

“I’ve had some conversations with some players, just talking about the future and what their plans are,” Smith said. “Essentially the consensus right now is wait and see. We don’t know.”

Only one thing is certain; change is coming.

“I’m really just focusing on what I’m doing,” Grunkemeyer said. “What are we doing to beat Michigan State? That’s ultimately what’s going to put us in the best situation whenever the time comes to make those decisions.”