Analysis: Drew Allar needs to be top priority in Penn State’s search for a new offensive coordinator

At some point in the hours after losing to Michigan, James Franklin came to what felt like an inevitable conclusion. He decided to fire offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and start anew.

Something needed to change. Penn State’s offense failed to support one of the best defenses in college football against Ohio State and Michigan. The Nittany Lions suffered frustrating, deflating losses as their goals of a Big Ten title and playoff berth went up in smoke.

The most concerning aspect of those lackluster losses was the play of Drew Allar. Seen as a five-star phenom and face of the program, Allar was ineffective and, at times, lost against Ohio State and Michigan.

Allar completed only 28 of 64 passes for 261 yards in the two most important games of the year. But the pieces around Allar also let him down. That includes the play-calling from Yurcich, who became the first in-season dismissal of Franklin’s tenure.

Franklin now is tasked with hiring a coordinator who can help Penn State get over the hump. As it looks ahead to a 12-team playoff starting in 2024, being in the hunt for a national title becomes more attainable. But to win something significant next year, Allar has to become the guy everyone thought he could.

That’s why Franklin’s upcoming hire is the biggest of his career. He needs to bring in a play-caller capable of developing Allar and extracting the best from what some consider a generational talent.

Allar has shown in spots that he has what it takes.

He needs better wide receivers. But what he needs more than anything is an offensive coordinator who instills confidence and puts him in position to succeed.

Yurcich failed spectacularly. Penn State mustered 27 points, a 16.7% third-down conversion rate (5 of 30) and 3.8 yards per play against Michigan and Ohio State. Through 10 games, the Nittany Lions have 18 completions of 20-plus yards. Only five teams have fewer.

Sure, Allar has thrown only one interception. But at what cost? The Buckeyes and Wolverines didn’t have to fear Penn State’s passing game.

When you land a player like Allar, you have to make it count, and it’s on Franklin to get this right.

Franklin said that when searching for an offensive coordinator, Allar won’t play an active role. He won’t be in the room interviewing candidates. But his future will be a factor in the hiring process.

“Are they a part of that decision? Yes,” Franklin said of his QBs. “Who I’m bringing in and why I’m bringing them in, do they fit? … Does everyone understand what they’re signing up for?”

When Allar arrived, he signed up to play for Yurcich. The Ohio natives formed a strong relationship in the recruiting process. Yurcich offered Allar a scholarship before he was on the radar of other Power 5 programs. When Ohio State came calling, that bond held firm.

That’s why it was important for Franklin to tell Allar and the rest of the quarterbacks first about his decision to fire Yurcich. Franklin went to them Sunday before he informed the team. He said it led to a “good discussion” with Allar and company.

“I feel really good about that,” Franklin said. “I feel good about the relationships we have in our building, playing well to end the season and making sure that the hire complements what we have in the building and what we have in the locker room.”

Of course, everyone has to benefit from Penn State’s new offensive coordinator. Whomever Franklin hires will bear the weight of improving an entire unit, not just one player.

But one player can be the difference between another good-not-great season and taking this program to new heights. And that player is Drew Allar.