James Franklin: Coaching career| Why did penn state fire| Contract

Introduction

James Franklin has been one of the most prominent figures in college football over the last decade. As the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2014 until his mid-season dismissal in 2025, Franklin built a program that consistently competed at a high level, produced NFL talent, and reached the College Football Playoff. However, high expectations, repeated failures in marquee games, and mounting financial pressure eventually led to his ouster. In this article, we dive into Franklin’s coaching journey, the reasons behind his firing, and the massive contract that Penn State now has to pay out.

1. James Franklin’s Coaching Career

Early Life and Background

Born on May 27, 1972, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, James Franklin grew up with a passion for football. He played quarterback at East Stroudsburg University before beginning his coaching career in assistant roles, including internships in the NFL as well as stops at various colleges. Over the years, he built a reputation as a recruiter and a motivator, traits that would define his head coaching tenure.

Vanderbilt University (2008–2013)

Franklin’s first major breakthrough came at Vanderbilt University, where he became head coach in 2008. Vanderbilt was historically not a football powerhouse, but Franklin steadily turned the program around. By 2012, his team won nine games, the most since 1915, and made significant SEC progress. His recruiting acumen brought in high-level talent, and he earned national respect for overachieving in a tough conference. Franklin’s success at Vanderbilt caught the eye of larger programs.

Penn State University (2014–2025)

In January 2014, Penn State announced the hiring of James Franklin as its head football coach.
Penn State even paid $1.5 million to Vanderbilt to release Franklin early from his contract.

His vision was clear: to restore Penn State to national relevance, build a strong recruiting base, and compete for championships.

Key Achievements at Penn State:

• Over his tenure, Franklin compiled a 104–45 record.

• He led the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Championship (2016) and multiple New Year’s Six bowl appearances.

• In 2024, under his leadership, Penn State recorded a school-record 13 wins and reached the College Football Playoff semifinal.

• Franklin recruited NFL-level talent, including standout players like Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons.

Franklin’s reputation as a recruiter and program-builder was thus well established. He stabilized Penn State after the turbulences that followed the Sandusky scandal era, reinstated the program’s respectability, and delivered consistent results.

2. Why Did Penn State Fire James Franklin?

Despite his many successes, Franklin’s tenure at Penn State ended abruptly in October 2025, following a string of poor performances. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons behind his dismissal.

2.1 Performance Decline & High Expectations

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft publicly stated that his decision to fire Franklin was not solely based on recent losses, but on the broader trajectory of the program. 
Kraft emphasized that “with [Penn State’s] high-level investment … comes high expectations,” and he believed a fresh voice was needed to maximize elite-level resources.

In 2025, the season started with optimism: Penn State was ranked No. 2 in the preseason, and many saw them as national championship contenders.
However, things unraveled quickly:

• The team suffered three straight Big Ten losses, including a crushing 22–21 home loss to Northwestern.

• That skid included losses to power-conference teams that the program was expected to beat, raising doubts about Franklin’s ability to close big games.

2.2 Struggles in “Big Games”

One recurring critique of Franklin’s tenure was his poor record against top-tier competition:

• According to CBS Sports, Franklin’s teams went 1–15 against top-5 teams, 4–21 against top-10 teams, and struggled significantly in high-profile matchups.

• He also posted a combined 4–17 record against Michigan and Ohio State, two of Penn State’s key rivals.

These struggles in major games made fans, media, and leadership question whether Franklin could take the program to the next level.

2.3 Strategic Vision & Program Trajectory

Kraft expressed that his evaluation went beyond just wins and losses. 
He said he used data, analytics, and a long-term outlook when making the decision. According to Kraft, the university’s investments in coaching and facilities warranted a coach who could deliver a national championship, and he felt Franklin had taken the program as far as he could.

2.4 Financial & Contractual Considerations

The financial commitment Penn State made to Franklin intensified the scrutiny. Kraft noted that the university had poured in resources — not just in salary, but also in facilities. Given these investments, Kraft believed that a change was necessary to realize ultimate success.

Moreover, the buyout was enormous, which illustrates how seriously Penn State viewed Franklin’s value but also how high the stakes were for letting him go.

3. James Franklin’s Contract & Buyout

One of the most talked-about aspects of Franklin’s firing is his contract — particularly the size of the buyout Penn State now owes him.

3.1 The Contract

• In 2021, Franklin signed a 10-year extension reportedly worth up to $80–85 million.

• The contract guaranteed a base salary, supplemental pay, and other components: per reports, $500,000 base pay, $6.5 million supplemental pay, and a $1 million insurance loan per year.

• It also included a $500,000 retention bonus payable each December 31.

3.2 The Buyout

• Penn State agreed that if Franklin were fired, he would receive the remaining money on the deal (excluding some clauses, like the retention bonus).

• According to CBS Sports, that means Penn State owes him around $50 million.

• Reports vary, but sources say the figure is in the $48–49 million range.

• Some of this payout might be influenced by a duty to mitigate clause: Franklin is required, per his contract, to make a good-faith effort to seek new employment in coaching or broadcasting.

• Media reports note that Franklin and Penn State eventually settled on a $9 million lump-sum instead of the full amount, likely due to his new employment.

3.3 Financial Impact & Controversy

• The buyout is among the largest in college football history.

• Critics argue that such massive payouts reflect the inflated nature of modern coaching contracts.

• There were also rumors (denied by Penn State) that Adidas, in a new apparel deal, might have influenced or contributed to the buyout.

• Kraft, however, insisted that the firing decision was fully Penn State’s, and Adidas was not paying the buyout.

4. Legacy and Impact

4.1 Achievements and Contributions

• Over 11+ seasons, Franklin restored Penn State’s credibility as a top-tier program.

• He built strong recruiting pipelines, brought in NFL-caliber talent, and pushed the program to the College Football Playoff.

• His consistency in bowl appearances and Big Ten competitiveness made him a widely respected coach.

4.2 Criticisms and Shortcomings

• Big Game Performance: As mentioned, Franklin’s teams underperformed against elite opponents. His inability to win consistently in high-stakes games was a persistent criticism.

• Arrogance and Leadership Style: Some commentators (e.g., Marcus Hayes) argued that Franklin’s personality — brash and confident — sometimes overshadowed his achievements.

• Financial Burden: The size of his contract and buyout raised questions about sustainability and fiscal responsibility, especially in an era where athletic department budgets are under increasing scrutiny.

4.3 What Next for Franklin

Interestingly, Franklin didn’t stay unemployed for long. In November 2025, he was hired by Virginia Tech as their new head coach. 
His move to Virginia Tech potentially reduces Penn State’s financial burden due to the duty-to-mitigate clause in his contract.

Whether Franklin can replicate his past successes and avoid previous pitfalls will be a key storyline to watch in his next chapter.

5. Analysis: Was Firing the Right Call?

From the perspective of Penn State’s leadership:

• The university made massive investments in its football program, facilities, and staff. Kraft likely felt that to justify those investments, a coach capable of winning a national title was needed.

• Franklin’s past consistency was valuable, but in elite college football, peak performance matters more than consistency alone. His repeated failures in big games may have signaled a ceiling.

From a fan or public perspective:

• Some fans will argue that Franklin’s firing is risky given the huge payout and the uncertainty in the coaching market.

• Others may feel that the program had stagnated and needed a bold move to break through.

Overall, whether or not it was “the right call” depends on how much faith Penn State’s leadership has in their vision for a championship, and how they value their long-term trajectory versus short-term stability.

6. FAQs

Q1: How long was James Franklin coach at Penn State?
A1: Franklin coached Penn State for about 11.5 seasons, from January 2014 until his mid-season firing in October 2025.

Q2: What was Franklin’s overall record at Penn State?
A2: He compiled a record of 104–45 during his time as head coach.

Q3: Why exactly did Penn State fire James Franklin?
A3: According to Penn State’s Athletic Director Pat Kraft, the decision was based on a combination of factors: declining performance in the 2025 season, failure to win in big games, and the belief that a new head coach was needed to meet the university’s championship aspirations.

Q4: What kind of contract did Franklin have?
A4: In 2021, Franklin signed a 10-year extension reportedly worth up to $80–85 million, with base salary, supplemental pay, bonuses, and more.

Q5: How much is Penn State paying him after firing him?
A5: Penn State agreed to a buyout of approximately $48–50 million, though reports suggest they settled on a $9 million lump sum, likely due to Franklin’s requirement to seek new employment.

Q6: Is Franklin coaching somewhere else now?
A6: Yes. In November 2025, he was hired as the head coach at Virginia Tech.

Q7: What was his record against top teams?
A7: He struggled against elite teams: reports show 1–15 against top-5 teams, 4–21 vs top-10, and a poor record against key rivals like Michigan and Ohio State. James Franklin Penn State.

Conclusion

James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State was marked by notable highs — strong recruiting, consistent bowl appearances, a Big Ten title, and a CFP semifinal. Yet, the pressure-cooker world of elite college football demands not just consistency, but championship-level results. His inability to consistently win big games, combined with the lofty expectations set by the university, ultimately led to his dismissal.

Financially, the fallout is immense. The buyout is one of the largest in college football history, highlighting both how much Penn State valued Franklin and how costly it is to move on. But Penn State’s leadership evidently decided that the potential reward of a national title justified the risk.

For Franklin, this chapter may simply be a springboard. With a new role at Virginia Tech, he has the chance to rewrite the narrative, prove his doubters wrong, and chase the championship that eluded his previous tenure.