Was Penn State right to fire James Franklin midseason?
James Franklin Fired: Penn State Ends Coaching Era After Rocky Start
Penn State has officially fired head coach James Franklin following a disappointing 3–3 start to the 2025 season. The move came just hours after the Nittany Lions suffered a shocking 22–21 loss to Northwestern, a game that also saw starting quarterback Drew Allar go down with a season-ending leg injury. Franklin's tenure, which began in 2014, included a Big Ten title, multiple New Year’s Six bowls, and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. However, recent seasons were marred by inconsistency and high-profile losses. His firing comes with a hefty $49 million buyout, sparking debate across the college football world. Terry Smith will serve as interim coach while Penn State evaluates long-term replacements.
Options
- Yes, it was time
- No, he deserved more time