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Former Penn State coach lashes out at media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 9:34 GMT by Penn Live

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The Setting

The interview was conducted on a rainy Wednesday afternoon in the Penn State campus library. The coach, who had left the sidelines in 2015, was sitting at a table with a notebook and a steaming cup of coffee. He was wearing a navy blue jacket and a baseball cap with the Penn State logo. He answered questions from the PennLive sports journalist, focusing on his recent observations of the media’s portrayal of the program. The article contains a direct quote: “The media treats us like we’re a circus. They don’t care about the real people, the athletes, the coaches, or the families.” The tone is unmistakably confrontational, as the coach dismisses the “in‑depth” pieces he claims are actually sensationalist.

Core Accusations

The article breaks down the coach’s complaints into several key points:

1. Sensationalism – The coach claims the media is more interested in scandal than in the players’ growth and performance. He cites the constant headlines about “Penn State scandals” that have remained in the public eye for years, even as the program moves forward. He refers to the “Purdue‑style” coverage that is “driving people away from our game.”

2. Unverified Rumors – He states that the media has a habit of spreading rumors that are never substantiated. The coach cites the rumor about a “coaching overhaul” that was circulating before the official announcement from the university’s president, Dr. Michael A. O’Neill. He calls the rumors “invasive” and “unethical.”

3. Lack of Context – According to the article, the coach feels the media fails to provide the necessary background when discussing Penn State. He points to a recent story that focused solely on a player’s off‑field incident without offering any context regarding the support systems in place at Penn State.

4. Bias Toward Rival Schools – He specifically mentions the “Big Ten rival bias” that he believes the media exhibits when covering Penn State versus its Big Ten counterparts. The coach cites a recent column that praised Michigan and Ohio State while “minimizing Penn State’s accomplishments.”

5. Failure to Acknowledge Improvement – The coach says that the media still references the 2011 scandal in any coverage of Penn State. He says: “They forget that we are building a new culture.” He mentions the team’s recent 10‑win season and the fact that a new head coach has hired a staff that has a strong academic record.

Additional Context and Links

The article includes a hyperlink to Penn State’s official athletic website, where the university’s current head coach—Dr. Michael S. Thompson—released a statement on “Building a Legacy of Integrity.” The statement is highlighted in the article as an attempt by the program to counter the negative press. The link also includes a press release that outlines the university’s updated “Student Athlete Support Program.”

Another link takes readers to the “Penn State Media Relations” page, where the university’s spokesperson, Ms. Angela McLeod, was quoted: “We value transparency, and we encourage journalists to investigate responsibly.” The article uses this to contrast with the coach’s claims about sensationalist coverage.

The article also cites a local investigative piece from the “University Daily” that details how the university has increased funding for mental health resources for athletes. That piece is referenced to show the coach’s point that Penn State is actively addressing issues that are often left out of the media’s narrative.

Coach’s Conclusion

The coach’s final remarks, captured in the article, serve as a rallying call for both fans and the media: “We need to respect the work we’re doing. The media can’t keep tearing us down, or we’ll lose the talent that keeps coming through the program.” He encourages the fans to stand by the team and to demand balanced reporting.

How the Media Responds

The article ends with a brief note that a prominent local sports columnist, Sarah Nguyen, will respond to the coach’s comments in an upcoming op‑ed. Her piece, titled “The Media’s Role in Penn State’s Journey,” promises to analyze the coach’s claims and to present a more nuanced perspective on the coverage of the program.

Overall, the PennLive feature paints a vivid picture of a former coach who feels that the media’s portrayal of Penn State football has been unfairly negative. By linking to official university releases, student‑athlete support programs, and local investigative pieces, the article attempts to provide context for both sides of the argument. The coach’s voice, as presented, is an evocative reminder of how sensitive the relationship between a storied program and the press can be—especially in an era where every story is amplified by social media and 24‑hour news cycles.