NOT-SO-HAPPY VALLEY: FRANKLIN OUT 6 GAMES IN
Matti Tenney - October 16, 2025
Life can change in the blink of an eye, and recently no one knows that better than James Franklin. In his 12th season, James Franklin has been fired as head coach of Penn State. The decision ends an era marked by both remarkable rebuilding and persistent frustration. Associate head coach Terry Smith will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
The move comes amid a brutal stretch for the Nittany Lions. 3 weeks ago, #3 Penn State was getting ready to host #6 Oregon in their annual white-out game. Penn State has dropped three straight games, to Oregon, UCLA, and finally a stunning 22–21 home loss to Northwestern that sent Beaver Stadium into chaos, and not the kind we’ve come to appreciate in college football. Boos rained down, “Fire Franklin” chants erupted, and the energy around the program plummeted. For a coach that has long been criticized for falling short in big games, this felt like the breaking point.
Franklin’s record against top-10 opponents was just 5–26 during his time in Happy Valley, and despite multiple 10-win seasons, he only managed to push Penn State into the College Football Playoff once, losing in the semifinals to Notre Dame. Fans and faculty alike grew weary of the same story: elite recruiting classes, NFL-ready talent, and a solid regular season, only to see the Nittany Lions stumble when the lights were brightest.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore the transformation Franklin led. When he arrived in 2014, the program was still recovering from the Sandusky scandal and its sanctions, uncertain about its future in the Big Ten. He restored Penn State’s relevance, brought in stars like Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons, and delivered a 2016 Big Ten title that remains one of the school’s most memorable seasons of the century. His ability to recruit and rebuild made him a stabilizing force, but over time, stability wasn’t enough.
The financial stakes behind this decision are enormous. Penn State’s athletic department is already investing heavily in a $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium, set to finish by 2027. Firing Franklin midseason adds tens of millions to the ledger, as his contract carries a staggering $49 million buyout, one of the largest in college football history. It’s only second only to Jimbo Fisher’s exit from Texas A&M.
Athletic director Pat Kraft confirmed that the school made the move knowing full well the financial implications, saying the program “needs a new voice” and must “reset expectations” if it wants to compete for national titles. It also puts new pressure on the administration to find the right replacement quickly. “We’re not afraid to invest in our future,” Kraft told reporters, framing the move as a long-term commitment rather than a reaction to recent losses.
That future is already the subject of intense speculation. According to 247Sports, early names on the program’s “hot board” include Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, and even former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer (but that one might be a long shot). USA Today echoed many of those names while adding that Penn State could look to the NFL ranks for a splashy hire if booster money continues to flow. Whoever takes the job will inherit a talented but shaken roster, a restless fan base, and the immense expectation of turning potential into trophies.
For all his shortcomings, Franklin’s departure marks the end of one of the most significant chapters in today’s Penn State football history. He lifted the program from NCAA purgatory to consistent Big Ten contention, but as the landscape of college football shifted around him, his results began to feel stagnant. In a sport where patience is scarce and price tags are secondary, Penn State decided that consistency wasn’t enough.
The big question goes beyond who could fill this role. The real question is who does Penn State think can fill the shoes and expectations of one of the most dedicated fan bases in the nation?
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After 12 seasons at Penn State, James Franklin has been fired. Lack of big wins, a recent stretch of disappointment, and the must-win attitude in college football today are just some of the factors that lead to this shake-up. But where will Penn State turn to find the next captain in Happy Valley?