Penn State announced the move in a press release Sunday afternoon, as much of the media covering the team was traveling home from the Nittany Lions’ 55-16 loss at Michigan State Saturday. “I wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future”.
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But small moments of potential did shine through, and they were from young players who have found themselves coming through for Penn State time and again this year. “We’re addressing them every single day”. Much of that was due to NCAA sanctions that fell far out of Donovan’s hands, and offensive line coach Herb Hand shouldn’t be feeling great today either, but his offense never seemed to fit the personnel he had and his play calling was far from flawless.
“The season is not over, but we will have some conversations with a number of guys and come up with a plan that makes sense for them and makes sense for Penn State and we look forward to doing that here in the next couple of weeks”.
Compounding matters, the Nittany Lions finished with the worst rushing offense in the Big Ten.
“This season under Donovan, a 1997 graduate of Johns Hopkins, the Penn State offense ranks 108th in the nation in total yards (344.3 per game), 101st in scoring (23.7 points per game), 106th in rushing (135.3) and 82nd in passing (208.9).According to the release, Franklin will immediately begin a national search for Donovan’s replacement”.
Donovan spent the last five seasons on Franklin’s staff as offensive coordinator at Penn State (2 years) and Vanderbilt (3 years).
It was not immediately made clear who would take over the offensive coordinator duties for Penn State’s bowl game, but Franklin said earlier in the season he planned to take on a larger role within the offense. I don’t want to get involved in anything that could be a distraction to the kids or to us.
Within hours of the end of the regular season, he acted on that knowledge quickly, decisively and not at all mildly, by firing offensive coordinator John Donovan Sunday.
“Yes, obviously he was comfortable in the pocket”, said Franklin. Only seven Football Bowl Subdivision teams have allowed more than the 39 sacks permitted by the Lions.Donovan also coached tight ends, who have not been productive this year as receivers or blockers.
That, in addition to consistent run-blocking, hampered the Lions from establishing their offense clearly, particularly against better teams. Donovan was hired in 2014 and has been under fire in recent days for the offensive line’s lack of development over the last two years. “That’s got to happen”.
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“Next year will be our first year to be back at full scholarships”.
