We Penn State fans can talk all we want about Larry Johnson, Sr. not going to Illinois, and staying with Joe Paterno and the Lions. But then I was thinking, "what does the other side think of all this?" Most of you remember Joe at Paint The Town Orange, from his 2008 guest blogger spot on ZN. Now he's back. This is more of an "editorial," than an interview, completely unfiltered, and (relatively) unedited. So, without delay, here is PTTO with an Illini's-eye view of all this: "It is pretty disappointing not to have Larry Johnson Sr. as the new DC here in Champaign, given our current prospects on defense and the loss of Mike Locksley, the source of all of our DC area talent we could have definitely used him in Champaign. Some of our most exciting players have come from Locksley and the DC area (Vontae Davis, Arrelious Benn, and backup QB Eddie McGee) we were even optimistic about landing Jelani Jenkins, but without Locksley this pipeline looks to be drying up. Larry Johnson Sr. I have been told is by far the best recuiter on the the PSU staff, with specialties in the same areas as Locks.
Zook must have really wanted Johnson for the DC position, I have heard that the full half million salary was being offered to him, so this was a major push. Its no surprise either, because going into last year the most talented facet of [Illinois'] defense was supposed to be the defensive line. Needless to say, given how gashed [Illinois] was against the run, the D line underperformed. Underperformed so much that Zook let our previous DLine guy (Sims) go. Johnson's emphasis on the defensive line would have been very valued, especially with some very talented DTs coming in.
As to why he is staying at PSU I cant say. Maybe Illinois isnt that attractive of a job right now. Maybe he thinks he will get a better job offer down the road, (maybe a DC job after Joe leaves) or maybe he just doesnt want to move, I dont know. But I do know that this is for sure a setback for Zook and the program.
Overall in fact our defense has sucked. And without a major coaching overhaul it will suck. I have no idea where Zook will go from here, I am sure he was banking on Johnson to remedy the problems on that side of the ball. We cant have another season with Bill Malory, and we still need a true QB coach. Whoever Zook gets instead of Johnson had better be a damn good coach first, and also have recruiting ties to somewhere the Illini can capitalize on now that we wont have the Wash DC area. I am sure there is a backup plan, but for now its back to the drawing board for a team that has the talent to play much better than it has, hopefully we can find a defensive mind that can get us over the hump."
I just want to reiterate my thanks to Joe at PTTO for his help on this.
I thought it was very interesting that even those outside the PSU program see this as LJS building his resume, and possibly more. I see this as LJS waiting for JoePa to retire, Tom Bradley to get the head coaching job, then LJS sliding into Bradley's spot. After a few years as a defensive coordinator, LJS will be off to build/coach his own program. Really, it all plays out very nicely for LJS.
More below the fold...
Larry Johnson, Sr., Penn State's defensive line coach for 14 seasons, is known more for his recruiting than his actual coaching, for some strange reason. I think it's about time that changes. Under LJ Sr.'s guidance, the Nittany Lions defensive line has produced a first-team All-America selection SIX TIMES THIS DECADE! I've said it before. Larry Johnson Sr. is the greatest single-unit coach in football today. Period. Congratulations, Jared and LJ Sr.!
More below the fold...
