Penn State has parted ways with head football coach James Franklin, ending his 12-year tenure with the Nittany Lions. The university announced that associate head coach Terry Smith will step in as interim head coach for the rest of the season.
Franklin’s contract entitles him to a payout exceeding $49 million, making it among the largest buyouts in college football history. The announcement comes amid a rough stretch for the program: recent losses to underperforming teams, fan chants calling for his dismissal, and a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar compounded mounting pressure.
During his time at Penn State, Franklin resurrected the program after NCAA sanctions and led the team to consistent national contention, producing numerous NFL players. Still, the university’s leadership felt it was time for a new direction to close the gap toward Big Ten supremacy and national titles.
