The James Franklin era is over, and for many in Happy Valley, it’s about 3 years too late

Well, it finally happened. After a decade of stubbornly defending mediocrity disguised as “consistency,” Penn State has officially fired James Franklin, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Franklin walks away with more than $49 million owed on his contract which is a stunning number for a coach who could recruit five-star classes but never seem to beat top-10 teams when it mattered.

Penn State fires James Franklin

Breaking: Penn State has fired HC James Franklin, per @PeteThamel

He has been in Happy Valley since 2014 pic.twitter.com/Du0qBVYFIx

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 12, 2025

Less than a year removed from a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, Penn State’s program cratered. The final straw came over a two-week stretch that looked like something out of a sports fever dream. First, Penn State traveled to Los Angeles and lost to UCLA, a team that hadn’t won a game all season.

Then, they came home and managed to one-up that embarrassment by losing to Northwestern, 22-21, as three-touchdown favorites inside Beaver Stadium.

“Fire Franklin!” chants started echoing through Happy Valley, and you knew it was over.

James Franklin’s Last Words:

After that Northwestern disaster, Franklin did what he’s always done — took responsibility, but not answers.

“I take full responsibility for all of it,” he said postgame. “I hired all the staff, I recruited all the players. I believe in all of them. But we’re not getting it done right now.”

No kidding…

Penn State committed six penalties for 71 yards in the first half alone, looked completely lost offensively, and then saw quarterback Drew Allar go down with a season-ending injury in the fourth quarter. For a team that was supposed to be a Big Ten contender, the Nittany Lions looked like a MAC school on an off night.

The Numbers Never Lie…

James Franklin’s record against elite teams was always the anchor that dragged his tenure down. He finished 4-21 against AP Top-10 opponents at Penn State, including 1-18 versus Top-10 Big Ten teams.

That .160 winning percentage against Top-10 opponents is tied for the third-worst mark by any coach (minimum 25 games) in a single program since the AP Poll era began in 1936. No doubt about it, when your head coach is mentioned in the same sentence as “worst all-time,” it’s time to pack it up, regardless of the $50 million price tag that comes along with it.

In the end, this was a firing years in the making.

James Franklin could recruit, sell hope, and put Penn State in the playoff conversation but the moment the lights got bright, everything short-circuited. He was the king of 10-2 seasons that ended with losses to Michigan and Ohio State and a “we’ll be better next year” press conference.

Now, Penn State is left with a broken locker room, a quarterback on the mend, and a $49 million check to write. Whoever comes next inherits a talented roster but also a fan base that’s completely out of patience.

The James Franklin era is over, and for many in Happy Valley, it’s ending about three years too late.

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