Penn State Parts Ways With James Franklin
State College, Pa. — Penn State has dismissed James Franklin as head coach, ending a tenure that delivered elite recruiting and a Big Ten title but failed to deliver a sustained path to a national championship. The move comes less than 24 hours after a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern that all but extinguished the team’s College Football Playoff hopes for the season.
Interim Leadership and Immediate Challenges
Athletic director Pat Kraft announced that Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The Nittany Lions, currently 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten, must navigate a brutal schedule with a host of Big Ten contenders looming. Penn State’s next three games — at Iowa, at No. 1 Ohio State, and home against No. 3 Indiana — will test the team’s resolve and determine how the program responds to a leadership shift during a pivotal stretch.
A Look Back at Franklin’s Era
Franklin, who arrived in 2014, compiled a 104-45 record over 11-plus seasons. He inherited a program grappling with NCAA sanctions and quickly built a reputation for relentless optimism and elite recruiting. His tenure yielded star players who reached the NFL and a 2016 Big Ten title. Yet the program often struggled against top-tier opponents, going 4-21 against teams ranked in the top 10 during his tenure and failing to establish a consistent national championship presence.
The Recent Struggles
The 2024 season had shown early promise with a favorable nonconference slate, but the team’s performance deteriorated in crucial moments. A high-profile loss to Oregon in overtime on the road, followed by a setback at UCLA, signaled a troubling trend. The latest defeat to Northwestern — highlighted by Penn State losing quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury — sealed the decision to make a change at the top.
Financial and Strategic Implications
Franklin’s buyout remains substantial — his contract includes a base salary and supplemental pay that extend into 2031. Despite the financial implications of the departure, Kraft emphasized the program’s commitment to excellence and its ability to attract top coaching talent. The university is concurrently investing in Beaver Stadium, with a $700 million renovation project aimed at elevating the game-day experience and long-term competitiveness.
What Comes Next for Penn State
The immediate focus for Penn State is stabilizing the season under interim leadership while planning for a long-term successor who can translate recruiting prowess into on-field success against premier competition. Kraft noted the program’s longstanding traditions, fan support, and the capacity to recruit elite candidates as assets that will help Penn State compete for Big Ten and national championships in the future.
Potential Coaching Candidates and Future Outlook
With the search underway, the program could explore a spectrum of options, including internal candidates familiar with the Penn State culture and external coaches known for turning around programs under pressure. The upcoming matchup against top-ranked opponents will serve as a critical backdrop for any coaching candidacy, potentially turning late-season performances into a compelling audition for the job.
As Penn State navigates this transition, fans and players are left to reflect on Franklin’s lasting impact and the rebuilding path ahead. The hope remains that a fresh leadership perspective can propel the program toward the national prominence that has long defined the Nittany Lions’ ambitions.
