Was Penn State right to fire James Franklin midseason?
Penn State Fires James Franklin; Virginia Tech Hires Him Weeks Later
James Franklin, who served as head coach of Penn State football from 2014 to 2025, was fired in October 2025 after a disappointing 3–3 start and multiple Big Ten losses. Despite leading the program to a Big Ten title in 2016 and recording 104 wins—the second-most in school history—critics pointed to underperformance in key games, especially against top-ranked opponents. Less than a month after his dismissal, Franklin was hired by Virginia Tech to revive their struggling program. The move has sparked debate among fans and analysts over whether Penn State gave up too soon or if a change was overdue.
Options
- Yes — the team needed new leadership
- No — Franklin deserved more time
- Mixed feelings — both sides share blame
- Too early to tell