Penn State Football Coach James Franklin Fired After Upset Loss
In a surprising turn of events, Penn State University has reportedly let go of head football coach James Franklin following a disappointing loss to the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday. This defeat marked the Nittany Lions’ third consecutive loss, including a shocking previous loss to the UCLA Bruins just a week earlier, according to ESPN.
Interim Leadership and Financial Implications
With Franklin’s departure, the university now faces a hefty financial obligation, reportedly over $49 million, as part of his contract. Assistant coach Terry Smith has been appointed as the interim head coach, stepping into the role during this challenging transition.
Franklin had been at the helm of Penn State’s football program since the 2014 season after a successful stint with the Vanderbilt Commodores, where he led the team to back-to-back nine-win seasons. During his tenure at Penn State, he achieved a record of 104 wins and 45 losses and guided the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals just last season, finishing with an impressive 13-3 record.
Challenges Ahead for the Nittany Lions
The shakeup comes at a particularly tough time for the team, especially with quarterback Drew Allar, a player many considered a potential NFL prospect, ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a leg injury sustained in the narrow 22-21 loss to Northwestern.
As the Nittany Lions look to salvage their season amidst a challenging Big Ten schedule, they face upcoming matchups against the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road, followed by ranked opponents including No. 1 Ohio State on November 1 and No. 7 Indiana on November 8. With four or more losses, Penn State’s hopes of making it to the College Football Playoff this season may be dashed.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
