Penn State Football: What PSU Must Do to Rebuild the Football Program

What is alleged to have happened at Penn State is not about the football program.  It is about the victims of the alleged horrendous and evil actions of a man that reflects the evil innate to human nature, and the inaction of a few men that reflects the depravity of man.

Whether Penn State likes it or not, they are not the same university or football program now as they were even a year ago.  The name, brand and image of Penn State has been tarnished and it will take an enormous amount of work to change that.

Penn State must focus, above all, on long-term advocation for the victims of sexual abuse, but they also must rebuild their football program.  I know it seems trivial in light of what is alleged to have transpired, but it must happen.

Life isn't defined by how many times we get knocked down; it is defined by what we do when we get back up.  

Penn State will undoubtedly get back up, and here is what they need to do if they want to do it the right way.  

Continue to Support the Promotion of Awareness of Child Sexual Abuse

Penn State without a doubt did the right thing by pledging to donate $1.5 million from bowl proceeds to various non-profits that work with sex-crime victims. 

If Penn State wants to rebuild its reputation and lead with integrity, they should not only make a one-time donation, but instead should make a long-term commitment to supporting non-profits that either work with victims of sexual abuse or promote awareness of sexual abuse.

While I know it might not be fiscally possible for Penn State to do, it would be advantageous for them to make a multi-year bowl proceeds commitment that reflects their desire to move forward with character and integrity.

In this situation, integrity means not only taking responsibility for your mistakes but also figuring out how to stop sexual abuse from happening again and finding ways to support victims not only now, but for the years to come as well.

Rebuilding is a long and arduous process and Penn State must be willing to commit themselves to that by supporting the rebuilding that must take place in the lives of victims of sexual abuse.

Stop Removing Themselves from the Legacy of Joe Paterno

The more Penn State focuses on removing Joe Paterno and his legacy from the football program and the unviersity, the further they move away from beginning to rebuild the football program. 

Whether or not you agree with Joe Paterno being fired, there is no doubting that Penn State moving so far away from their former head coach. 

There are rumors circulating (though the university is saying they are false) around Penn State regarding the removal of the Paterno statue outside Beaver stadium and removing Paterno's name from the library on campus that he donated $4 million to help build.  If Penn State moves ahead with those rumored plans they will be making an enormous mistake.  

Every moment Penn State spends focusing on Paterno, they are making the healing process for the victims that much more difficult.  The more Penn State separates from Paterno from the university, the angrier the fan base will become and that undoubtedly places guilt on the victims, and that is the complete opposite of what Penn State should want to do.

If Penn State is truly putting the victims' recovery and healing first, they will stop removing themselves from Joe Paterno and support the victims by honestly and openly cooperating with every aspect of the trial and investigations.

Rebuilding the football program means a Paterno-less future, but that doesn't mean his legacy can't at least partially live on. 

Clean House Immediately After Bowl Game

Interim head coach Tom Bradley bleeds blue and white.  He was a cornerback for Penn State from 1977-1978, and he has spent all 32 years of his coaching career with Penn State as well.

While I think Tom Bradley is a great recruiter, defensive mastermind and head coach candidate, Penn State has to let him and his entire coaching staff go at the end of the season.

There is nothing in life like being able to start over, and that holds true for Penn State's football program.  While completely starting over is impossible, getting rid of the entire current coaching staff is a positive step in that direction.

Tom Bradley deserves to get a head coaching job somewhere, and I think that will happen, but it can't be at Penn State.  Retaining Tom Bradley would not give Penn State a true opportunity to start anew, and that is not something that Penn State is willing to give up.

Expect the entire football coaching staff to be released after Penn State's bowl game, making way for a new beginning with a new head coach and his coaching staff.

Hire a Head Coach Whose Past Exhibits Integrity, Honesty and Character

Penn State must realize that hiring a head coach with a proven track record of integrity and character right now is more important than hiring an elite and proven winner.

The best case scenario for Penn State ends with the hiring of Tony Dungy.  While that is highly unlikely to happen, Penn State must, at least, find a man like Dungy and make him their head coach.  

It is more important to build the future on integrity than it is to focus on winning at all costs, and that is the message Penn State needs to send with their coaching hire.

Pat Fitzgerald from Northwestern fits the Tony Dungy mold.  In his tenure at Northwestern he has rebuilt their football program with character and class, never putting his integrity in question.  Fitzgerald would be an ideal fit for Penn State based on his ability to motivate, recruit and rebuild.  

If Penn State wants to start rebuilding, they have to do so with a coach who knows how to be an authentic and honest leader.  If they don't, the rebuilding process will be much more difficult.

Recruit with the Focus of Being Able to Rebuild Penn State's Reputation

Recruiting is going to be the foundational aspect of rebuilding the Penn State football program and it has to start by putting the right focus on how the coaches recruit. 

Penn State must recruit with the perspective of finding players who are mature enough to understand what the next four years will be like in Happy Valley. Penn State must recruit players who can contribute to the foundation of the rebuilding process for the Nittany Lions.

Recruiting that way will undoubtedly result in losing commitments and recruits who just care about themselves. What it will do, though, is help Penn State sign mature players who understand what the football program at Penn State stands for and what it means.  

Penn State right now doesn't need elite talent and they surely won't get it.  What they do need is a group of players who are mature enough to realize what being a part of rebuilding the Penn State brand truly means for them and their football careers.

The recruiting process for Penn State will be incredibly difficult, but with the right coach and the right focus, recruiting can be a huge step forward towards ultimately rebuilding the Penn State football program.