Penn State Fires Football Coach James Franklin
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Penn State University has fired head football coach James Franklin, effective immediately, the university announced Saturday. The move comes after a disappointing 3-3 start to the 2025 season, including recent losses to UCLA and Northwestern.
Franklin compiled a 104-45 record over his tenure at Penn State,tying him with Rip Engle for second-most wins in program history. He led the Nittany Lions to six seasons with double-digit victories, five New Year’s Six bowl appearances, and a berth in the inaugural 12-team College football Playoff in 2024, where Penn State narrowly lost to Notre dame in the national semifinal by a score of 24-21.
Despite consistent success in winning games against less-ranked opponents, Franklin struggled against top-tier competition. His record against teams ranked in the top 10 nationally stood at 4-21, and he was 1-11 against rival Ohio State. This inability to consistently overcome the conference’s strongest programs ultimately contributed to the decision.
“I believe in Penn State. I believe in our players.I believe in the men and women in the Lasch Building. and I believe in myself,” Franklin stated following the UCLA loss when asked about his confidence in achieving his goals with the program.
Franklin, a native of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, described the Penn State position as his “dream job” upon his hiring in 2014, stating, “I’m a Pennsylvania boy with a Penn State heart.”
A national search for Franklin’s replacement will begin immediately, the university said.
