Penn State ends James Franklin era after seismic slide
In a stunning turn for a program that has risen to national relevance under James Franklin, Penn State announced Sunday that Franklin would be fired six games into his 12th season. The decision comes as the Nittany Lions staggered to a 3-3 start with a disastrous 0-3 mark in Big Ten play, including a home loss to Northwestern that squandered a three-touchdown favorite status. The move marks one of the most notable coaching changes in college football this season.
What went wrong: unraveling at Penn State
What began as a promising 2025 campaign quickly devolved into a crisis of confidence for the Nittany Lions. After a strong-looking start that featured veteran quarterback Drew Allar and a powerful running back duo, the team collapsed in Big Ten play. A pivotal loss to UCLA on the road signaled the trouble, followed by an overtime defeat to Oregon that exposed national title ambitions as fragile. The back-to-back setbacks, including a stunning home loss to Northwestern, left Penn State with its worst six-game start since 1964 for a preseason AP Top-Two squad.
The coaching change: interim leadership steps in
Associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith will helm the program as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season. The move, announced by Penn State athletics director Patrick Kraft, aims to stabilize the program and redirect a season beset by on-field struggles into a foundation for future success. Kraft praised Franklin for rebuilding the program and achieving sustained success, including a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff appearance, while emphasizing the need for new leadership to contend for Big Ten and national championships again.
Franklin’s tenure: a record that sparked mixed emotions
Franklin leaves Happy Valley with a 104-45 overall record and a 64-36 mark in Big Ten play. He guided Penn State to multiple New Year’s Six bowls and a playoff appearance, and the program posted several double-digit win seasons, including three straight from 2022 through 2024. Yet the enduring frustration for supporters has centered on big-game performance and consistency against top-tier opponents, which did not materialize at the level expected for a program with Penn State’s resources and tradition.
Big-game struggles and the numbers behind them
The numbers behind Franklin’s tenure in big games are often cited in discussions about the decision. His record against top-10 teams, top-five teams, and traditional rivals was less than stellar by many metrics, especially when measured against the program’s ambitions. The analysis shows a stark contrast between regular-season success and the outcomes that define a championship standard, raising questions about whether a new coach could translate talent into consistent wins in meaningful games.
What’s next for Penn State
With Franklin’s departure, Penn State faces a crucial period of transition. The search for a permanent successor will likely involve a mix of established coaches and rising stars who can bridge recruiting strength with on-field performance. Names that frequently appear in coaching hot boards, such as Matt Rhule and Curt Cignetti, are part of the broader conversation, but Penn State’s eventual choice will reflect a desire to reestablish dominance in the Big Ten and on the national stage.
Looking ahead: rebuilding a championship trajectory
As interim coach Terry Smith takes charge, the program’s immediate challenge is to curb the instability seen in 2025 and maintain recruiting momentum. Penn State’s fanbase and alumni will demand a clear plan for reasserting competitiveness against traditional powerhouses and developing a pathway back to a conference championship game and playoff contention. The era after Franklin will hinge on the ability to translate resources and talent into a coherent strategy that earns postseason success and restores the program’s national standing.
