Penn State University has made a big move, parting ways with head coach James Franklin just six games into his 12th season. This comes after a rough three-game losing streak that’s left the Nittany Lions at 3-3—a start no one saw coming for a preseason AP top-two team, and their worst since 1964.
Franklin’s run, which kicked off in 2014, had its moments. He led the team through some memorable highs, but his struggles in the biggest games finally caught up to him.
Associate head coach Terry Smith is stepping in as interim head coach for the rest of the 2025 season. It’s a lot to take in, but here we are.
James Franklin’s Tenure at Penn State
Franklin’s time at Penn State? Honestly, it’s been a wild ride. When he arrived in 2014, the program was in rebuild mode, still finding its footing.
Over the next dozen years, Franklin put together a list of real achievements.
- Big Ten Championship: Franklin guided Penn State to a Big Ten title in 2016.
- New Year’s Six Bowl Games: The team reached seven New Year’s Six bowls with him at the helm.
- College Football Playoff: Penn State made the College Football Playoff just last year.
But there’s no getting around it—Franklin’s record against the top teams was a problem. His .160 winning percentage against top-10 opponents is tied for the third-worst by any coach at one school since the AP poll era began.
Struggles Against Top Teams
Franklin just couldn’t get over the hump in the biggest games. Here’s what the numbers look like:
- 1-15 against top-5 teams
- 4-21 against top-10 teams
- 15-31 against top-25 teams
The record against Michigan and Ohio State? Pretty rough—just 4-17 overall, and only 1-13 when those teams were ranked.
The Downfall of the 2025 Season
The 2025 season started with so much promise. Penn State was sitting at No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25, and expectations were sky-high.
But things unraveled fast.
Key Losses
First, there was a double-overtime loss to Oregon. Then came a head-scratching defeat to a winless UCLA squad.
The final blow? A 22-21 loss at home to Northwestern, a team Penn State was supposed to handle easily.
- Sept. 27: Lost to Oregon in double-overtime.
- Oct. 4: Upset by winless UCLA.
- Oct. 11: Defeated by Northwestern at home.
On top of the scoreboard struggles, quarterback Drew Allar went down with a season-ending injury. That just made a bad situation worse.
Financial Implications
Letting Franklin go isn’t cheap. His contract paid him about $8 million a year through 2031, and the buyout clause means Penn State owes him around $50 million.
That’s the second-biggest buyout in college football history, only behind the $76 million Texas A&M paid Jimbo Fisher. Ouch.
The Search for a New Head Coach
Now the search begins. Penn State’s looking for someone who can get the program back on track, and a few names are already in the mix.
Potential Candidates
- Matt Rhule: He’s at Nebraska now, and he’s known for turning programs around.
- Curt Cignetti: Running things at James Madison, Cignetti’s got a solid reputation at the FCS level.
There are others, of course, but these two seem to be getting the most buzz. Who knows where this will go?
Interim Head Coach Terry Smith
For now, Terry Smith is in charge. He’s been with Penn State for a while, mostly coaching the cornerbacks, and now he’ll try to keep things steady through the rest of the season.
Looking Ahead
Penn State’s decision to part ways with James Franklin really does feel like the end of an era. His time at the helm brought some memorable moments, sure, but the team just couldn’t seem to win those big games when it mattered most.
Now, the Nittany Lions are hunting for a new head coach. Everyone’s hoping this next chapter brings them back into the thick of Big Ten and national championship conversations.
If you’re curious for more details about Franklin’s firing or want updates on the coaching search, check out CBS Sports.
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