Penn State Fires James Franklin After a 3-3 Start to the 2025 Season
In a surprising turn for a program accustomed to competing for Big Ten titles, Penn State announced Sunday that head coach James Franklin will not return for the remainder of the 2025 season. The move comes just days after a 22-21 loss to Northwestern at Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions’ third straight defeat and a sharp contrast to the high expectations that followed a season in which the program reached the first 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024.
The university confirmed that associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach while the program conducts a broader review of its direction and staffing. Smith, a Penn State alumnus and veteran member of Franklin’s coaching staff, takes over with the task of stabilizing a squad that showed both promise and persistent inconsistencies this season.
Context: The Franklin Era and What Led to the Change
Franklin arrived in 2014 amid NCAA sanctions stemming from the Jerry Sandusky case, quickly turning Penn State into a consistent bowl contender. He guided the team to six double-digit win seasons, five New Year’s Six bowl appearances, and a memorable run that included a near-miss in the 2024 national semifinal after a 12-team playoff format debut. Yet in key moments against ranked opponents and traditional rivals, the team struggled to close out games and deliver the signature late-season run that defines championship programs.
Statistically, Franklin’s tenure evaluated strongest in regular-season march followed by tougher outcomes in the most consequential games. The 2025 campaign, which began with high preseason ranking and national championship expectations, quickly soured as the Lions dropped important conference matchups and then the disappointing loss to Northwestern sealed the decision to move in a new direction.
What Comes Next for Penn State
With Franklin out, Penn State faces questions about recruiting momentum, game-planning philosophy, and leadership depth. Interim head coach Terry Smith inherits a roster that includes talented playmakers and a fan base accustomed to success, but also a program at a crossroads. The administration will likely use this period to assess long-term staff, evaluate transfer dynamics, and map a strategy to regain national title contention.
Franklin’s Reflections and the Road Ahead
On the day of the announcement, Franklin reflected on the team’s struggles and his ownership of the results, stating, “I take full responsibility for what’s happened tonight. I take full responsibility for what’s happened this season, and I’m committed to the guys in that locker room.” The exchange underscored a difficult parting, but it also framed the decision as a mutual recalibration aimed at delivering the program back to its competitive peak.
Historically, Franklin’s Penn State tenure is remembered for transforming a program in transition into a perennial bowl squad, and for a personal connection to the state and its football culture. Born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, he famously called Penn State his “dream job” at his introductory press conference in 2014, underscoring the emotional weight of this leadership change for players, staff, and fans alike.
Bottom Line
Penn State’s decision to part ways with James Franklin signals a fresh start for a program with high aspirations. Interim coach Terry Smith will oversee the immediate games as the school charts its path toward regaining national relevance. Whether the move acts as a catalyst for a quick rebound or a longer, more methodical rebuilding phase remains to be seen, but the 2025 chapter will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Penn State football history.
