Penn State Dismisses James Franklin After Northwestern Upset
Penn State has fired head football coach James Franklin following a stunning 22-21 loss to Northwestern, marking the team’s third consecutive defeat. The decision, reported by ESPN on Sunday, comes amid a challenging season for the Nittany Lions.
Key Takeaways
- James Franklin was fired after 12 seasons as Penn State’s head coach
- The decision followed Penn State’s third straight loss, including back-to-back shocking defeats
- Assistant coach Terry Smith has been named interim head coach
- Quarterback Drew Allar is out for the season with a leg injury
Franklin’s Legacy and Contract
Franklin compiled a 104-45 record during his tenure at Penn State, leading the team to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season with a 13-3 finish. The school reportedly owes the former coach more than $49 million following his dismissal.
Franklin took over the program before the 2014 season after spending three years with Vanderbilt, where he led the Commodores to back-to-back nine-win seasons.
Quarterback Crisis
The coaching change coincides with devastating news about quarterback Drew Allar, who suffered a season-ending leg injury during the Northwestern loss. Allar was considered a potential NFL prospect, and his absence creates additional challenges for the struggling program.
Challenging Road Ahead
Penn State faces a difficult path to salvage their season, beginning with a road game against Iowa Hawkeyes. The schedule intensifies with matchups against No. 1 Ohio State on November 1 and No. 7 Indiana on November 8.
With four or more losses likely eliminating them from College Football Playoff contention, the Nittany Lions must regroup quickly under interim leadership.
