In a stunning and decisive move, Penn State University fired head football coach James Franklin on Sunday, ending a decade-long tenure marked by both remarkable successes and frustrating failures. The decision comes less than 24 hours after the Nittany Lions suffered a devastating 22-21 loss to Northwestern—an upset that effectively squashed any remaining hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2025.
Franklin’s firing marks a dramatic shift in the trajectory of a program that was once on the verge of national contention but has struggled to break through against its top-tier rivals. With a once-promising season now in disarray, Penn State’s athletic department decided that a change in leadership was necessary to advance the program toward its ultimate goal of competing for a national championship.
A Season of Promise Gone Awry
The 2025 season began with high hopes for the Nittany Lions, who were ranked No. 2 in the nation in the preseason polls. Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance just 10 months ago, Penn State was poised to make a serious run at its first national title since 1986. However, those dreams quickly unraveled.
The Nittany Lions’ season took a sharp downturn after a heartbreaking 30-27 overtime loss to Oregon in late September. The team followed that up with another embarrassing setback, this time falling to a previously winless UCLA squad on the road. But the final blow came in Saturday’s home game against Northwestern, where Penn State let a winnable game slip away, losing in front of a stunned crowd at Beaver Stadium. Adding insult to injury, quarterback Drew Allar, one of the team’s brightest stars, was lost to injury for the rest of the season.
With the loss to Northwestern, the Nittany Lions’ record dropped to 3-3 overall, and they found themselves 0-3 in Big Ten play. Their hopes for a CFP berth were essentially dashed, and the possibility of competing for a Big Ten championship seemed more and more remote.
A Legacy of Success… But Missed Opportunities
James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State was not without its accomplishments. Hired in 2014 after the departure of Bill O’Brien, Franklin inherited a program reeling from the fallout of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the resulting NCAA sanctions. Franklin’s ability to recruit at a high level and his infectious optimism breathed new life into the program. Under his leadership, Penn State emerged from the shadow of the scandal and became a consistent presence in the national rankings.
Over his 11-plus years in Happy Valley, Franklin built a program that regularly churned out NFL talent, including the likes of Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) and Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers). His teams captured the 2016 Big Ten championship and consistently posted double-digit win totals. Yet, for all the program’s success, Franklin’s inability to consistently defeat top-tier opponents remained a glaring issue. His record against teams ranked in the top 10 during his tenure was a disappointing 4-21, a fact that weighed heavily on the minds of the Penn State administration and fan base.
The Final Straw: A Disastrous Stretch of Losses
Despite the success, Penn State’s inability to win when it mattered most became a familiar refrain. The 2025 season began with three dominant wins over nonconference opponents, but the subsequent collapse revealed a deeper issue within the program. The losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern—each more painful than the last—highlighted the team’s struggles under Franklin’s leadership.
Franklin’s deflection of questions about his job security after the Northwestern loss reflected his steadfast focus on his players, but the administration had seen enough. Penn State’s athletic director, Pat Kraft, issued a statement Sunday morning announcing Franklin’s firing. “We owe Coach Franklin an enormous amount of gratitude for leading our program back to national relevance,” Kraft said. “However, after a thorough evaluation, we believe it is time for new leadership to take us toward Big Ten and national championships.”
In an era where Penn State’s athletic department has committed significant resources to the program—most notably a $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium—Franklin’s inability to get over the hump proved to be a fatal flaw. The university, which is paying a nearly $50 million buyout to part ways with Franklin, is clearly committed to finding a coach who can lead the Nittany Lions to the next level.
Terry Smith Takes Over as Interim Head Coach
With Franklin’s departure, defensive coordinator Terry Smith has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Smith, a long-time assistant under Franklin, will now be tasked with trying to salvage what remains of a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Penn State’s next three games are particularly daunting. The Nittany Lions will face Iowa on the road this Saturday before taking on No. 1 Ohio State on November 1 and No. 3 Indiana on November 8. What was once expected to be a crucial stretch for Penn State’s CFP hopes has now turned into a race to avoid further embarrassment and to salvage a bowl game appearance.
These upcoming games will also serve as an audition for potential future candidates to take over the program. The Nittany Lions’ remaining schedule could give Smith a chance to prove his worth as the permanent replacement, but with a 3-3 record and no margin for error, he will have his work cut out for him.
The Financial Toll of Franklin’s Firing
The firing of Franklin comes at a steep price for the university. The 2021 extension signed by Franklin guaranteed him a base salary of $500,000, with an additional $6.5 million in supplemental pay and a $1 million insurance loan. The buyout of his contract will cost the university approximately $50 million, a significant financial burden.
Moreover, Penn State is also in the midst of an extensive renovation of Beaver Stadium, a $700 million project slated for completion in 2027. These investments have shown the university’s commitment to being a powerhouse in college football, but Franklin’s firing represents the realization that simply maintaining relevance in the Big Ten is no longer enough.
The Search for a New Head Coach
As Penn State looks toward the future, the search for a new head coach will begin in earnest. Kraft has already made it clear that the university is poised to attract top-tier candidates. With the financial resources available and the promise of a renovated stadium, Penn State believes it is well-positioned to hire a coach capable of taking the program to the next level.
One name to watch in the search is Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, whom Kraft hired during his time at Temple University. Rhule, who has revitalized the Cornhuskers, has ties to the Penn State athletic director and could be a strong candidate for the job. Penn State’s season finale on November 22, which will feature a matchup against Rhule’s Nebraska squad, could serve as both an audition for the former Temple coach and a pivotal moment for the Nittany Lions as they look to close out the season on a high note.
Looking Ahead: A New Era at Penn State
James Franklin’s firing marks the end of an era for Penn State football. While Franklin’s legacy includes some notable accomplishments—bringing the program back to national relevance and developing NFL talent—his inability to win the big games, particularly against top-tier opponents, ultimately cost him his job. With the search for a new head coach underway, Penn State’s athletic department will look for someone who can lead the Nittany Lions back to the upper echelons of college football, where they can once again compete for national championships.
While the 2025 season is already a lost cause, the hope in Happy Valley is that this move will lay the groundwork for a brighter future—one that is defined by success in the most important games and, ultimately, a return to the pinnacle of college football.
