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Penn State reportedly fired head football coach James Franklin on Sunday.
The decision came after Nittany Lions suffered an upset loss for the northwestern wildcats, ESPN reported. It was the school’s third straight loss and second consecutive shocking defeat. The team lost against UCLA Bruins on the road last weekend.
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Penn State Head coach James Franklin responds during the second quarter of a NCAA College -Football match against Northwestern, Saturday, October 11, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
The school reportedly owes Franklin more than $ 49 million. Assistant coach Terry Smith was named the temporary head coach, according to ESPN.
Franklin took over as Penn State’s main coach before the 2014 season after he spent three years with Vanderbilt Commodores, which led the school to back-to-back nine-win seasons.
He was in his 12th season in Penn State. He led Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semi-final last season and ended 13-3.
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Penn State Head coach James Franklin leaves a press conference after a NCAA College -Football match against Northwestern, Saturday, October 11, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reege)
Franklin was 104-45 as the school’s main coach.
Shakeup came when the school announced that Quarterback Drew Allar, which was considered a possible NFL view, was out in the season. Allar suffered a leg injury in the team’s 22-21 loss to Northwestern.
Penn State will now try to save its season as it continues into the thick of its Big Ten schedule. Nittany Lions will be on the way to a game against Iowa Hawkeyes, but it will be more difficult from there.
Drew Allar (15) from Penn State Nittany Lions practices passing before the game against the northwest Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 11, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Nittany Lions have No. 1 Ohio State on November 1st and No. 7 Indiana on November 8. Four or more losses are likely to keep the Penn State out of college -Football -Final Game this season.
