James Franklin Delivers an Invitation, and a CTA, to Penn State's Trustees

'We have to embrace the new college football,' Franklin tells the board. He also encourages them to visit.

Penn State's James Franklin brought four players and the Rose Bowl trophy to the university's Board of Trustees meeting Feb. 17, when he also tendered an invitation.

"When you guys have a board meeting, please come by Lasch," Franklin said. "Come by the football building. I think it's really important. Obviously we've been able to do some wonderful things there with the support of everybody here. But more importantly, I'd love for you guys to get more time around our student-athletes."

Penn State's trustees began their first meeting of 2023 with a few cheers for the football team, which went 11-2 and won the Rose Bowl last season. Joining Franklin and the trophy were quarterback Drew Allar, defensive linemen Dvon Ellies and Dani Dennis-Sutton and offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad.

Franklin urged the trustees to chat up his players at the meeting and then ask themselves when making decisions, "Is this in the best interests of our student-athletes and our students in general?"

The moment marked another relationship-builder between the football program and administration, which have found more common ground lately. Particularly since he signed a new 10-year contract in 2021, Franklin has been more vocal about positive alignment between university stakeholders and his program.

On Friday, Franklin took the opportunity to thank the board, share some of the team's recent accomplishments and remind trustees that they have more aligning to do.

For instance, Franklin told the board that Penn State ranks fifth in ESPN's SP+ 2023 preseason college football rankings. He also noted that Big Ten rivals Ohio State (2) and Michigan (3) sit above the Lions.

"I want to be back here next year addressing you guys about our season as well," Franklin said. "But I would also challenge you as well as those [players] over there, we're fifth in the country, but there's two schools in our own side of the conference that are also ranked in the top 5. So we've got a tremendous challenge, which is something that we embrace."

Franklin has had some alignment concerns in the past. He didn't think Penn State capitalized on its 2016 momentum after winning the Big Ten title. In 2021, the board overwhelmingly approved funding for a $48.3 million renovation of the Lasch Football Building. However, six trustees, including former Penn State assistant coach Jay Paterno, voted against the plan. In part, the trustees cited pandemic-related funding concerns at the time.

"My former boss used to say, 'Football is here to serve the university, not the other way around,'" Jay Paterno told the board, referencing his late father Joe Paterno. "Football is a part of life, not life itself."

But things seemingly have improved. Last year, Bendapudi, Patrick Kraft and Franklin all spoke at the State College Quarterback Club, the first time a Penn State president, athletic director and football coach have spoken together at a club event.

Penn State also weathered the COVID financial storm, as the football program generated a record $105.6 million in revenue and a $48 million surplus for fiscal year 2022. On Friday, the board approved a $7.5 million plan to upgrade the football team's practice facilities as part of a multi-year renovation project.

"Alignment is key," Franklin told the board. "I've been pounding that table really since I arrived at Penn State."

NEWS: Penn State plans 'major renovation' to Beaver Stadium rather than building a new stadium

During the meeting, board chair Matt Schuyler, whom Franklin has praised often for his support of football, noted that Franklin is one of 11 Power 5 head coaches with 100 wins and became the first African-American head coach in the FBS to reach the 100-win milestone.  Schuyler also pointed to the improved alignment between football and university.

"I think I speak on behalf of the entire board and Nittany Nation when I say we are incredibly proud that you lead our program," Schuyler said. "For years we've talked about alignment of goals and purpose, and it feels like now more than ever we are aligned and on a trajectory under your leadership."

Franklin brought some additional notes for the trustees to consider. He discussed player retention, noting that offensive tackle Olu Fashanu decided to return for another season despite being a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

"It was very, very important to him and his family that he did not leave without his Penn State degree," Franklin said. "So he turned down pretty much a guaranteed first-round draft choice contract to come back to Penn State and finish what he started."

Franklin discussed recruiting, telling the board that his 2023 class includes the top-ranked players from Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia. The coach then illustrated how his current team serves the program's legacy. According to Franklin, 19 alumni work for the program, including nine lettermen on his football staff.

"That does not get talked about enough," Franklin said.

Before returning the board to its meeting agenda, Franklin offered one more invitation to Lasch. Then he left the trustees with a call to action.

"The last thing I would challenge us to do is this," Franklin said. "College football has changed and changed dramatically, probably moreso in the last five years than probably the previous 50 years. And no different than the industries that you all work in, we have to embrace the new college football and be a leader for what that represents in the United States."

Read More

How Jalen Pickett became Penn State's Batman

Penn State plans 'major renovation' of Beaver Stadium

For Penn State, a new alignment breeds playoff hopes

Penn State Trustees approve $7.5 million in upgrades to football practice facilities

The Penn State guide to the XFL

Jalen Pickett leads Penn State out of the basketball wilderness

Why Marques Hagans left Virginia for Penn State

Guard Jalen Pickett gets unfair treatment regarding foul calls, coach Micah Shrewsberry says

Nittany Lions win yet another Big Ten regular-season wrestling title

Penn State begins its push to the 2023 football season

James Franklin wants a receivers room that 'puts the fear in people'

Penn State seeks leadership, particularly from its quarterbacks

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.