Penn State Fires James Franklin: Next Coach Predictions & Analysis

The Firing of James Franklin

• 🎯 James Franklin was fired by Penn State despite a recent top-five ranking and a successful tenure, a move Josh Pate calls "insane."
• 📈 Franklin's record includes 34 wins and 8 losses over the past three years, with three double-digit win seasons.
• ⚠️ The decision comes just 16 days after Penn State was in overtime against Oregon with a top-five ranking.

James Franklin's Next Steps

• 📺 Pate suggests Franklin should consider a TV analyst role, citing Dan Mullen's successful transition as an example.
• 🧠 This would allow him to leverage his expertise without the pressure of making game-day decisions, while privately planning his return to coaching.
• ↩️ However, reports indicate Franklin is looking to return to coaching immediately, potentially eyeing jobs like UCLA (though that position is now filled).

Penn State Fan Sentiment and Risk

• 🤔 Fans celebrating the firing are driven by emotion, wanting to move from "very good" to "great," similar to rivals Ohio State and Michigan.
• 📉 Pate argues this is a high-risk move, as there's more room to fall than to climb, especially without a guaranteed upgrade.
• 💰 Penn State is paying a significant buyout, estimated at over $50 million, for Franklin.

Potential Coaching Candidates

• 🔍 The discussion turns to potential replacements, with CBS Sports reporting a specific target.
• 🏈 Matt Rhule is identified as a strong frontrunner, with speculation that Penn State's AD might see the job as superior to Rhule's current role at Nebraska.
• ❓ The key question remains whether Matt Rhule would be willing to leave Nebraska for Penn State, despite the potential for a lucrative offer.

The Logic of Coaching Changes

• 💡 Pate emphasizes that firing a coach like Franklin, who has maintained a clean program after past scandals, requires a definitive upgrade.
• 🚫 Without a clear, top-tier candidate available (like a Kirby Smart or Nick Saban), the move is seen as highly risky.
• 🎯 Even a respected coach like Matt Campbell from Iowa State wouldn't justify firing Franklin and paying a $50 million buyout without a more certain outcome.