STATE COLLEGE — As a third-generation Penn Stater, you could say that Terry Smith bleeds blue and white. He’s been there since 2014 when James Franklin hired him at the start of his era in 2014, he graduated from the school in 1991, and it’s a good bet that he’s not looking to leave State College any time soon.

“I call this place home,” said Smith, who has recruited about three-fourths of the current roster.

Smith was handed the interim tag as the new head coach after Franklin’s dismissal on Sunday, and will have the difficult task of getting a season that has gone south to get back on track after falling the last two games as more than 20-point favorites.

“Every person that’s in the Lasch building, James Franklin brought them there,” Smith said. From the coaches, the staff, and the personnel in the building. He brought every one of us there. There’s an attachment to him. There’s a sense of loyalty to him. Now it’s my job to press us forward.”

Is there any chance for Smith to be retained as the permanent head coach?

“Absolutely. Everybody is under consideration,” PSU athletic director Pat Kraft said. “And I’m going to help Terry do everything he can to run the table. But yes, he will be considered a candidate.”

The Nittany Lions had a team meeting at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, and Smith heard the news of Franklin being fired and him being the interim coach around 1:20 p.m. Smith said he was stunned at the news like most people around the country.

“James has always told me that if something happened to him, he would recommend that I’d be the next person to lead,” Smith said. “You’re dealt a certain hand in life. Whatever that hand is, you have to play it. This is the hand that I’ve been dealt to lead this program.”

Franklin was able to address the team Sunday, which was described as an emotional meeting. Smith and Franklin also talked Sunday evening, and Smith was able to express gratitude towards Franklin.

“He took us out of a dark era, and got us to be a relevant program again,” Smith said. “We don’t take that for granted.”

The only other change that Smith made when he took over was the addition of Jordan Lucas to take his position as the defensive backs coach. Lucas was serving as the assistant cornerbacks coach after starting out as a recruiting coordinator.

Otherwise, Smith reiterated that the standard for Penn State football has to remain the standard.

“We have to get our grittiness back, our toughness, our swag. And most importantly, we have to go have fun and enjoy playing the game of football,” Smith said.