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Big James Franklin Development Announced
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- Big James Franklin Development Announced
Penn State (3-3) suffered its third straight loss on Saturday, falling 22-21 to Northwestern at Beaver Stadium after previous losses to No. 6 Oregon (30-24 2OT) and UCLA (42-37).
Through six contests, the Nittany Lions have averaged 35.7 points per game, including four games with at least 34 points. However, they've now conceded at least 20 points in three consecutive weeks, losing each by a single score.
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Adding insult to injury, Penn State just lost starting quarterback Drew Allar , once a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, for the remainder of the season .
Fan frustration boiled over after the most recent loss to Northwestern, with audible "Fire Franklin" chants captured as the team returned to the locker room.
On Sunday, just one day after the loss, On3's Pete Nakos reported that "legitimate conversations are being held" inside Penn State circles about head coach James Franklin 's future, indicating that a change is being strongly considered.
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Mere hours after Nakos' initial report, the school announced that it had officially fired Franklin.
Soon after Nakos' report, several media outlets began speculating potential candidates to replace Franklin at Penn State.
PennLive noted Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, Oregon OC Will Stein, Arizona State HC Kenny Dillingham, Iowa State HC Matt Campbell, Duke HC Manny Diaz, South Florida HC Alex Golesh, Tulane HC Jon Sumrall and Nebraska HC Matt Rhule as possible options.
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However, subsequent reporting noted the scale of Franklin's contract buyout and how that complicates any decision-making.
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks with quarterback Drew Allar (15).Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Sources explain how Franklin's contract, extended in November 2021, carries a large remaining buyout figure of $48.6 million.
This number was expected to drop by roughly $8 million each year ($40 million after the 2026 season, $32 million after the 2027 season, etc.). However, now that Penn State has officially relieved Franklin, they owe him the full amount.
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What happens next will not only define the Nittany Lions' season but also their future trajectory, given the financial difficulties and recruiting considerations.
Related: Dabo Swinney Called 'National Embarrassment' After Outburst During Clemson-Syracuse
Related: LSU Announces Significant Decision Before South Carolina Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
