Terry Smith was the longest-tenured member of James Franklin’s football staff at Penn State.
He worked alongside Franklin from the massive NCAA sanctions, to the unlikely Big Ten championship in 2016, to seven New Year’s Six bowls, to a College Football Playoff appearance and to his boss’ firing Sunday after 11-plus seasons.
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“I was stunned, like most people in the building and most people around the country,” Smith said Monday during a press conference. “I was fortunate to speak with Coach Franklin last night. It was a heartfelt conversation.
“I just wanted to express my gratitude and thankfulness for him and all that he’s done for me, my family and this program. He took us out of a dark era and got us to be a relevant program again. We don’t take that for granted.”
Director of athletics Pat Kraft named the 56-year-old Smith as the interim head coach when he announced Franklin’s departure. Smith is a former Nittany Lions wide receiver and highly successful head coach at Gateway High School in western Pennsylvania.
“Terry is a proud Penn Stater,” Kraft said. “He helped build this program as both a player and a coach, and he understands what it means to wear the blue and white.
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“I am confident that he will pour his heart and soul into this role. Our players and fans deserve nothing less.”
Smith had been Franklin’s associate head coach and cornerbacks coach since he hired him away from Temple, which was then coached by Matt Rhule. As a Penn State player from 1988-91, he caught 108 passes for 1,825 yards and 15 touchdowns.
His son, former Lions cornerback Justin King, and his daughter, Haley Smith, are Penn State graduates, as is his father.
“Penn State holds a dear place in my heart,” Smith said. “I call this place home. I love this place. I love the blue and white. I’m proud to be sitting in front of you.
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“I just want to give back to this community what it’s always given me and my family. It means everything to me. I don’t see working here as a job. I love waking up every morning, showing up for work and trying to make us better.”
Franklin was fired after the Lions (0-3, 3-3) began the season ranked second and dropped three straight to Oregon, UCLA and Northwestern. He spoke to the team Sunday afternoon during what Smith described as an emotional meeting.
They continue their season at Iowa (2-1, 4-2) Saturday night at 7 (TV-Peacock) with Ethan Grunkemeyer making his first start at quarterback for Drew Allar, who’s out for the season with a leg injury.
“We have every bit of confidence in Ethan,” Smith said. “He has a strong arm. He’s athletic. He’s a super smart kid. He’s been thrown in there just like I’ve been thrown in there, so we have something in common. He’s going to be ready.”
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Iowa has been known for its physical line play, something that Smith hinted that Penn State has been lacking this season. The Lions rank 52nd in rushing offense and 70th in rushing defense.
“Everything starts up front,” Smith said. “The two things we have to fix this week is the offensive line and defensive line. Not that they’re problems, but they have to be able to control the line of scrimmage.
“If you control the line of scrimmage, you control the game.”
He’s replaced himself as cornerbacks coach with graduate assistant Jordan Lucas, a former Penn State defensive back. He said he has no plans to make any other staff changes, at least not for now.
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“I want to get my feet grounded underneath me and understand all the roles of being the head coach and CEO of this program,” Smith said. “I will take a deeper look each day as to where I see that I can help us improve.”
He didn’t describe the rest of the season as an audition for the permanent coaching position, but he would welcome the chance to fill that role if offered.
“All I want to do is help Penn State be successful and win,” Smith said. “I’m sitting in this press conference because we didn’t win enough. Whatever I can do to help this place win is what I’m willing to do.
“If the opportunity put itself out there for me to be the head coach permanently, absolutely I would love that opportunity.”
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Smith thanked Kraft and listed simple goals for the remainder of the season.
“We need to stick together,” he said, “stay focused and keep the standard the standard. Nothing changes when it comes to the expectations. We need to get back to being tough, gritty and passionate.
“We have to get back our swag and most importantly we have to have fun, enjoy playing the game of football.”
