James Franklin's longest-tenured assistants have had opportunities to leave. But Smith and Seider say they're happy in Happy Valley.
Terry Smith and Ja'Juan Seider arrived at Penn State at very different points on the program's arc. Smith is the only assistant remaining from James Franklin's first coaching staff in 2014, when he returned to his alma mater to help rebuild its football team. Seider joined the staff four years later, following Franklin's best two-year stretch as the Lions pressed toward becoming a playoff contender.
Added Seider, the running backs coach,"I’m enjoying my time here, and if Penn State is the last place I go and finish my career, I’m OK with that, because it’s been a hell of a ride. I’ve still got quite a few years ahead of me, so, again, it would have to make a lot of sense for me to leave this place."
"Penn State's taken care of us," Smith said."Every job I've ever gotten has been tied or connected to someone or an alum of Penn State. So I'm just super proud of this place. And I just want to keep contributing and keep giving back." Seider arrived at Penn State in 2018, when the program was on that national scene. The Lions had won 22 games the previous two seasons, had a first-round draft pick at running back and sought to develop another in Miles Sanders. Seider was entirely new to Penn State — he's from Florida, played at West Virginia and Florida A&M and coached in Florida and West Virginia — but had contacts on the staff. He also was intrigued from afar at Penn State's rise.
Seider's responsibilities have grown since 2018. He became the run-game coordinator in 2020, the co-offensive coordinator in 2022 and assistant head coach this season. Seider wants to be a head coach and has turned down opportunities over the past few years. He also wants to win a national championship and believes Penn State is on that arc.
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