Breaking News: Penn State Part Ways with Coach Franklin After 12 Seasons – What’s Next for the Program?

Penn State has officially parted ways with head coach James Franklin after twelve seasons. This decision follows a disappointing performance, culminating in a series of recent losses, including a shocking defeat to winless UCLA. The Nittany Lions faced another setback on Saturday, narrowly losing to Northwestern, prompting frustrated fans to chant “Fire Franklin!” during the game.

Franklin leaves with a hefty buyout of over $49 million, making it one of the largest in college football history. His interim replacement will be associate head coach Terry Smith, who takes over for the remainder of the season.

In recent weeks, the team’s struggles have been highlighted by poor performance against ranked opponents, bringing Franklin’s record against AP top-10 teams to a troubling 4-21. This statistic puts him in the bottom tier of coaches since the poll began in 1936. In a notable record, Penn State is now the first team since the FBS and FCS split in 1978 to lose two consecutive games while heavily favored, a reflection of their current struggles.

Compounding these issues, the team faced penalties that hindered their performance significantly. In their latest game against Northwestern, they racked up six penalties in the first half alone. Heartbreakingly, quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending injury, leaving the Nittany Lions in a tough spot as they look to recover.

Patrick Kraft, the vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Penn State, emphasized the need for new leadership to help the program strive for Big Ten and national championships. Franklin ends his tenure tied for the second-most wins in the school’s history with Rip Engle, but the focus is now on the future.

Recent trends on social media show a mix of reactions from fans. While some are calling for a fresh start, others reflect on Franklin’s accomplishments and the challenges he faced during his term.

As Penn State navigates this transitional period, the future of its football program hangs in the balance. With the right leadership, they’ll be hoping to revive their competitive edge within the conference and beyond.



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