It's often a second- and third-hand process that leads to frustration and silliness. And, whether it's a Penn State or someplace else, the process remains generally the same every time it repeats itself.
Agents work to enhance their client's value and, at the same time, manipulate the media to get some attention for said client. (Making him seem more employable for the next place.)
Coaches supposedly strive to stay quite, while hopefully having their name among the candidates for jobs and searches that invariably become pretty public. (Again, all in an effort to seem more valuable, but at the same time focused on their current job.)
Team officials also need things done with some discretion, but are not worried about accompanying attention. (They want a coach that is perceived as a difference maker and a good hire.)
Meanwhile fans and media members react to anything and everything, with patience and perspective lost in the mix. For media members, every tiny bit of information becomes breaking news and the latest update. Those same folks also play the what-if game and seemingly forget about sourcing or a responsible approach to their stories.
All those groups also reliably repeat their roles, no matter the year and no matter the specific job-search situation.
With Penn State, though, unnamed athletic department officials chimed in a bit earlier than expected and disrupted the typical story arc.
Maybe it's because it's the second year in a row for O'Brien to garner deserved and expected NFL attention. Or maybe it's because leadership remains a problem. Either way, silence would've been the better route for Penn State officials in this instance.
When reports surface that the university is preparing to move ahead if O'Brien leaves, it makes the athletic department look petty and small. Yes, the school must have a plan, but helping things play out in the media and fueling what looks at least a little bit like an internal power-play feud is not the way for it to happen.
Some critics might complain about O'Brien, citing his contract, loyalty and any number of other factors, but an eventual move to the NFL by him would not be a surprise. He has publicly admitted that he would like to test his skills at the highest level of coaching competition. That's the NFL in his mind, and his career goals are not a surprise.
Sure, a little more time at Penn State might lessen the blow when he does depart, but good NFL jobs open only so often. So, he's probably at least listening to any interest. As he should. And, make no mistake, he will not leave what he considers a super college job for a so-so NFL job. If he does, it would speak more about any disfunction he perceives at Penn State than an overwhelming desire to get to the NFL.
The interest in him for the second year in a row comes with good reason, and it represents a welcome-to-the-world change for Penn State alumni and fans.
Eleven months ago, Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner misplayed things in his reaction to O'Brien staying, saying he did not have a list or Plan B had O'Brien decided to leave. Joyner said that he never expected the coach to leave. That approach was borderline incompetent.
This year, though, offering a before-the-coach-leaves declaration that you have a replacement in mind, seems to be jumping the gun a bit.
There would be nothing wrong -- and, in fact, it would be a preferable approach -- for Penn State officials to consistently tell the media that they have a coach under contract, would be prepared to move forward if necessary, but hope that's not the case.
Again, anything less is irresponsible. But, anything more seems more petty than prepared.
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