Penn State football has always been known for its strong teamwork and smart planning. But very few people truly understand what goes on behind the scenes, as we can only see what the media shares with us and what the players do on the field in front of the TV cameras. Recently, General Manager Andy Frank gave fans a rare look into how the program truly works.
GM Andy Frank Breaks Down Penn State’s Team-Building Process
In a recent episode of “Next Up with Adam Breneman,” fans got a rare behind-the-scenes look at how a top college football program is built for long-term success. Adam Breneman sat down with Penn State General Manager Andy Frank, who is shaping the Nittany Lions’ success over the years.
Andy Frank isn’t new to the process. He’s been Coach James Franklin’s right-hand man since their time at Vanderbilt. Today, he handles everything from roster building and recruiting strategy to managing the ever-changing landscape of NIL, the transfer portal, and revenue sharing.
But how does it all work? That’s what Breneman wanted to find out. When asked about the structure of the Penn State program, Frank said, “I’d say every program probably structures it a little bit differently. You know, we’re a program that everybody is involved in a little bit of everything. It’s definitely a team effort.”
This shows how Penn State values collaboration. Every department works together to shape the team’s future. One of Frank’s biggest responsibilities is managing roster construction.
He explained that it’s not just about filling spots but also balancing numbers and considering finances. “It’s how do we want to allocate numbers? Now with the financial piece of it, how do we want to allocate the financial aspects of things?” he said.
Frank said their program doesn’t just focus on football skills. Instead, they care deeply about developing players as people. Every department plays a role in building the roster and planning strategies. This teamwork creates a strong foundation for success on and off the field.
Andy also emphasized teamwork over individual talent; this mindset ensures Penn State’s decisions are wise and well-rounded.
“You put a collective group of people in the room, the room should be smarter than whoever the smartest person is in the room,” he said.
For those who think Penn State only cares about football, Frank had something important to say. “For us here at Penn State, they are searching for success in everything. It’s just purely about football, it’s probably not the place for them,” he told Breneman. This highlights the program’s goal of developing players for the long run, not just for quick wins and stats.
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This rare conversation gives fans a new understanding of what goes into running a top-tier college football program. It’s more than just practice and game-day performance, as we might think. It’s about leadership, planning, and building a future that extends far beyond the scoreboard.
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