James Franklin shocked at Penn State firing him months after playing for a chance at national title
2025 年 10 月 18 日
Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts during a press conference following an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in State College, Pa. — AP Photo/Barry Reeger
ATHENS, Ga.— James Franklin said Saturday he was shocked when Penn State fired him hours after a loss in which the Nittany Lions also lost quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury, but added that he cannot wait to coach again elsewhere.
Franklin revealed during an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay that Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft visited him ahead of a meeting and practice last Sunday to inform him the university was making a change. Franklin then held an emotional team meeting to tell players and staff that he was leaving.
“To think essentially six games ago we were fighting for a chance to be in the national championship, a two-minute drive away,” Franklin said. “So that’s the thing. … Twelve years, a ton of good moments, a bunch of big wins. But decisions were made. And I’m not involved in those decisions.”
Franklin was fired after a 22-21 home upset by Northwestern, a defeat that all but ended whatever remote chance the preseason No. 2 team had of reaching the College Football Playoff (CFP), marking their third loss in six games.
Penn State had reached the CFP semifinals just 10 months ago, falling 27-24 to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Earlier this season, the Nittany Lions lost at home to Oregon in overtime and suffered a road setback against previously winless UCLA.
The final straw came Saturday at Beaver Stadium, where the Nittany Lions allowed Northwestern to escape with a victory and lost their star quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury.
Franklin’s record stands at 128-60 overall as a head coach, including 104-45 (.698) at Penn State. He described the university’s decision as difficult to comprehend at the moment but said he chose to focus on the good times.
“I had a great run here over 12 years and I want to thank Penn State for being good to me and my family,” Franklin said.
In 2021, Franklin signed a 10-year contract extension worth up to $85 million. According to the terms of the deal, Penn State must continue to pay his base salary of $500,000, supplemental pay of $6.5 million, and an insurance loan of $1 million through 2031.
Despite the financial security, Franklin emphasized that he is a coach first and foremost. “That’s all I know as someone with no hobbies,” he said. “We’re just going to go win a national championship somewhere else now.”
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