Penn State Makes a Big Change: Franklin Out After 12 Seasons

Penn State has decided to part ways with head coach James Franklin after 12 seasons. This move comes with a hefty price tag, as Franklin is set to receive over $49 million, making it one of the largest buyouts in college football history. The decision to fire Franklin was likely influenced by the team's recent poor performance. Just a year after making it to the College Football Playoff semifinals, Penn State has hit a rough patch. They lost to UCLA, a team that had not won a game all season, and then suffered another defeat at home against Northwestern. This loss was particularly shocking because Penn State was heavily favored in both games. The team's struggles were evident in their recent game against Northwestern. They committed six penalties in the first half alone and lost their starting quarterback, Drew Allar, to a season-ending injury. These issues highlight a lack of discipline and poor decision-making on the field. Franklin's record against top-ranked teams is not impressive. He has a winning percentage of just . 160 against AP top-10 opponents, which is tied for the third-worst record by a coach at a single school since the poll era began in 1936. This statistic raises questions about his ability to lead the team in high-pressure situations. Associate head coach Terry Smith will take over as interim head coach for the rest of the season. The university's vice president for intercollegiate athletics, Patrick Kraft, expressed gratitude towards Franklin but emphasized the need for new leadership to achieve their goals of winning Big Ten and national championships. Franklin's tenure at Penn State ends with him tied for the second-most wins in school history. Despite this achievement, the recent losses and lack of success against top teams likely contributed to the decision to let him go.