Success with Honor Needs a Fresh Start … An Open Letter to Penn State University President Rodney Erickson in Wake of Child Sex Scandal

“Success with Honor” needs to be a reality at Penn State with the coaches and administrators, not just a catch phrase for the students to live by.

In the wake of the hideous child sex scandal, Penn State’s “Success with Honor” might be in need of a fresh clean slate. There is going to be a complete image change required at State College in Happy Valley, where the words of integrity, commitment and loyalty have to be reevaluated. Especially that loyalty one, that appears to be at the heart of the issue of the cover up of the alleged child sex crimes of former defensive PSU coach Jerry Sandusky.

It would appear that a new image is required at Penn State, read the following open letter to interim Penn State President Rodney Erickson. First, get a PR firm.

Once retained, have the agency facilitate meetings through their agents with Bill Parcells and Bill Cowher immediately.  Specify no leaks to the press until after they occur and by mutual agreement.   Cowher may be the low hanging fruit on this one,  he is returning to CBS next year.

If neither is interested in a head coach commitment of an 8-1 Big Ten team, follow their recommendations about who to contact next and ask them; beg if necessary, if they would be willing to consider a consulting gig for the recruitment process.  Urban Myer is a fine coach and leader, but regardless of who PSU ultimately chooses, efforts to rebuild the PSU brand must start with a nationally recognizable face of a trusted and respected winner, like yesterday.

Champions attract champions and without that, it is like asking collegiate coaching candidates to walk into the lion’s den (pun intended) wearing a raw steak necklace.  You will not even get one to tour Lasche, trust me on this.

This strategy would likely also include a public facing spokesperson effort, and worth every penny if that is all you can get a commitment for from either coach.

Pay them to sit in the lobby.  Pay them to ride the elevator a few times, but get them on grounds.  Pay them to have a motivational meeting with the team.

Read the rest HERE.