Penn State Ends James Franklin Era as Program Seeks New Leader
Penn State Ends Era with James Franklin
Penn State has officially fired longtime head coach James Franklin, ending a tenure marked by both promise and recent struggles. Despite being owed over $49 million, the administration moved decisively after a disappointing 3-3 start to the 2025 season, signaling a desire to halt the program’s slide into mediocrity. Franklin’s teams were often able to beat lesser opponents but faltered in critical matchups, a pattern that ultimately cost him his job.
Challenges and Legacy
Franklin was recognized for his ability to manage a major program’s complex demands, including recruiting and player development. However, in a college football landscape shaped by NIL, roster turnover, and a growing playoff system, success is measured by winning key games. His inability to deliver consistently at the highest level proved untenable, even as Penn State faced significant financial commitment to part ways.
Looking Ahead
As Penn State searches for Franklin’s successor, the focus will be on finding a coach who can be both an innovative strategist and a strong leader off the field. Candidates must navigate an evolving sport while maintaining Penn State’s proud tradition and competitive edge in the Power 4 conferences.
About the People Mentioned
James Franklin
James Franklin is an American football coach with over 30 years of experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels. He is currently the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, a position he has held since January 2014. Franklin has established himself as one of the top active coaches in college football, boasting a career head coaching record of 125-57 and ranking among the few with a winning percentage above 68% across 14-plus years of head coaching[1][5]. Before Penn State, Franklin was the head coach at Vanderbilt University from 2011 to 2013, where he transformed the football program into a competitive team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under his leadership, Vanderbilt won three consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history and achieved back-to-back seasons ranked in the final AP Top 25 polls[2][3][7]. Franklin began his football career as a quarterback at East Stroudsburg University, where he set multiple school records and was a regional candidate for the Harlon Hill Award, recognizing the top Division II player[6]. His coaching journey includes stops as a position coach at various colleges, offensive coordinator roles at Maryland and Kansas State, and a year coaching wide receivers for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL[3][4][5]. At Penn State, Franklin has led the Nittany Lions to six Top 10 finishes and seven New Year’s Six bowl appearances, including winning the 2016 Big Ten Championship. His teams have consistently finished in the top 12 of the College Football Playoff final rankings in seven of the last nine seasons. Franklin is also noted for strong academic performance among his players, achieving a school-record 93% graduation success rate and a perfect APR score in 2018-19[1]. Franklin emphasizes four core values for his teams: a positive attitude, great work ethic, competitiveness, and willingness to sacrifice. Entering his 15th collegiate head coaching season in 2025, Franklin remains a prominent figure in college football coaching[1][5].
About the Organizations Mentioned
Penn State
## Overview Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, is a major public research university and Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution. It is renowned for its comprehensive mission of teaching, research, and public service, aiming to “improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service”[5]. Penn State’s main campus is located in University Park, with 19 branch campuses across the state, a medical school in Hershey, a law school in Dickinson, and additional specialized institutions[5]. The university offers a broad range of degrees—associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional—as well as continuing education programs[5]. ## History Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State’s origins reflect its commitment to practical education[1][2]. The institution was established with a 200-acre land donation from James Irvin and was initially focused on applying scientific principles to farming[1][3]. It was renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862 and became the state’s land-grant college following the passage of the Morrill Act in 1863[2][3]. Under the leadership of President George W. Atherton in the 1880s, the curriculum expanded to include engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, and more, aligning with the broader mandate of land-grant institutions[1][2]. The university’s name changed to Pennsylvania State College in 1874 and finally to Pennsylvania State University in 1953[2][3]. ## Key Achievements Penn State has a long tradition of innovation in education and research. It was among the first institutions to integrate cooperative extension and outreach programs in the early 1900s, extending its academic influence statewide[1]. The university’s engineering program quickly became one of the ten largest in the nation[
