Jerseys

(Mark Selders | Penn State Athletic Communications)

James Franklin is aware of the excitement an alternate uniform or unique jersey change can bring for recruits, players, and fans alike.

The Penn State head coach also knows about the consternation changing the Lions' iconic blue and white jerseys in any significant way, even if just for one game, could cause.

Franklin has said in the past he's open to "throwback uniforms," and the conversation about the Lions' jerseys heated up again last week when Penn State's men's basketball team wore the school's original colors, black and pink, at Bucknell.

It started a chain reaction of social media conversation, and Onward State writer Zach Berger even put together a look at what a black and pink Penn State jersey might look like.

"I saw the tweets that went out, and some of the pictures of uniforms that people had created," Franklin said on a bowl game conference call Sunday night. "They looked really cool. I think the basketball team has done it, so hopefully that opens up the possibility of those things."

But the head coach is aware that Penn State's look is held near and dear to many fan's hearts.

"People are feel pretty strongly about Penn State, specifically football uniforms, so we got to be careful there," Franklin said. "The other thing, is, typically with uniforms that you're going and working with NIKE on, that's something that usually take about a year and a half to two years to get done."

Franklin did not reveal if Penn State is currently having any discussions with NIKE about special jerseys.

"It's an interesting idea, you can match it up with breast cancer awareness and things like that," he said. "It was pretty cool, but we have a great uniform that's very identifiable and iconic.

"People love it. I know the recruits love it, I know our fans and alumni love it."