The Firing: A Historic Break in Happy Valley
In a move that stunned the college football world, Penn State announced on Sunday that head coach James Franklin will not continue at the helm six games into his 12th season. The decision comes after a disastrous stretch in Big Ten play that left the Nittany Lions at 0-3, a stark drop from preseason expectations when they were ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25. Associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith was named interim coach for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Why the Move Was Inevitable
What began as optimism for a playoff push quickly soured as Penn State suffered a shocking three-game slide. A 22-21 loss to Northwestern at Beaver Stadium, in which the Lions were favored by three touchdowns, underscored how far the program had fallen this season. The setback followed a loss to UCLA, a result that made Penn State the first FBS team since 1978 to lose back-to-back games as at least a 20-point favorite. These results amplified concerns about on-field leadership and big-game performance—the very traits Penn State officials cited as reasons for the change in leadership.
Franklin’s Era: Highs, Lows, and the Big-Game Gap
Franklin arrived in 2014 and leaves with a 104-45 overall record and a 64-36 mark in Big Ten play. He guided Penn State to a Big Ten Championship Game appearance in 2016 and, last year, to a College Football Playoff appearance amid steady success including three straight double-digit win seasons (2022-24). Still, the reality in 2025 was a different story—a program that showed little late-season resilience against top competition. His record against AP top-6 opponents stood as a troubling blight: a 15-31 mark overall, with even worse results against the top-tier teams like Michigan and Ohio State, where a 4-17 ledger underscored the difficulty of competing for national championships under his tenure.
What’s Next: Interim Leadership and the Road Ahead
With Franklin out, Terry Smith inherits the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season. The transition forces Penn State to reframe its strategic plan quickly as it navigates recruiting, player morale, and the logistics of a season now guided by a caretaker coaching staff. Athletic director Patrick Kraft expressed gratitude for Franklin’s contributions while signaling that new leadership is required to restore the program’s trajectory.
Candidate Landscape: Who Could Lead the Next Chapter
As Penn State searches for a permanent successor, names such as Matt Rhule and Curt Cignetti appear on a hot board of possible candidates. The process will weigh factors including fit with Penn State’s culture, ability to recruit at a high level, and a track record of success against elite competition. The goal is clear: stabilize a program with abundant resources and a history of sustained competitiveness, and reset the path toward Big Ten and national championships.
Contract Realities: The Buyout Consideration
Franklin’s contract, valued at about $8 million annually through 2031, included a significant buyout clause upon firing. The club reportedly owes him roughly $50 million, a historically large figure that underscores the high-stakes nature of coaching at Penn State. This financial dimension adds another layer to the decision, illustrating the complexity of balancing competitive ambition with fiscal prudence.
A Timeline of the Season’s Collapse
A promising start—an undefeated nonconference slate and a 3-0 record—gave way to a calendar of losses that exposed vulnerabilities in the Lions’ ability to close out against strong opposition. The Oregon game, a double-overtime defeat, and the late-season injuries and missteps culminated in a season that will be remembered for its abrupt end to Franklin’s tenure.
What Penn State Fans Should Expect
The road forward will involve a reset across coaching, recruiting, and program culture. The interim regime must deliver stability while the university conducts a thorough search for a long-term vision. For fans, the immediate questions hinge on who will be the next face of Penn State football and how quickly the team can recapture the consistency that defined the early Franklin era.
