James Franklin Penn State

wgarlick

Junior
Jul 4, 2006
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Any comments on Penn State firing James Franklin? I don't see them winning a title in the next 12 years. Franklin had them 3 points from a National title game. Given the impact of NIL on top prospects, I don't see them returning to that level anytime soon. Time will tell, but I don't see them competing for a title in the next five years.
 
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DinwiddieProud

All-American
Dec 9, 2013
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PS feeling compelled to do what they did at this point in the season, sure has a major affect on recruiting and commitments. The long period of uncertainty about who the permanent head coach will be will scare most of the top prospects away. I don’t believe PS has the bottomless pit of NIL money that most of the top schools have, so they probably won’t be able to lure top prospects with outrageous offers of money.

So, like you said, this is close to a death sentence on their playoff hopes for years to come, not to even mention being in contention for a national championship.

In comparison VT is in a lot better position to climb back up to being a contender, at least in the ACC. They really had no where to go but up. All they need to do is find that “right” coach this time. (I know that is easier said than done.)
 
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ThevinStealberg

Sophomore
Jul 26, 2018
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PS feeling compelled to do what they did at this point in the season, sure has a major affect on recruiting and commitments. The long period of uncertainty about who the permanent head coach will be will scare most of the top prospects away. I don’t believe PS has the bottomless pit of NIL money that most of the top schools have, so they probably won’t be able to lure top prospects with outrageous offers of money.

So, like you said, this is close to a death sentence on their playoff hopes for years to come, not to even mention being in contention for a national championship.

In comparison VT is in a lot better position to climb back up to being a contender, at least in the ACC. They really had no where to go but up. All they need to do is find that “right” coach this time. (I know that is easier said than done.)
Penn State has long money and could allocate funds to compete with the top schools (NIL wise) if they chose to. Honestly, I think they'll be just fine. The Penn State name will sell itself. Recruits will just have to accept that they will never win a natty or a Big 10 championship in their 3-4 years there.
 
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wgarlick

Junior
Jul 4, 2006
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Penn State grabbed 3 of the state's top 40 prospects last year and had two this year, thanks to Marcus Hagans. Would like to see how that trend works out if they make replacements in the assistant coaches.
 

wgarlick

Junior
Jul 4, 2006
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Penn State has long money and could allocate funds to compete with the top schools (NIL wise) if they chose to. Honestly, I think they'll be just fine. The Penn State name will sell itself. Recruits will just have to accept that they will never win a natty or a Big 10 championship in their 3-4 years there.
But being just fine isn't that one of the reasons Franklin was fired? They won 10 games every year and just missed the championship game last year? I agree that they will continue to attract recruits, but I'm not sure if they will be able to compete with the Top 5 teams in the near future.
 
Jun 8, 2001
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Good CEO which is what the role of the Head Coach has become. Terrible game manager.

Another one of those, “LOOK AT ME! I’M COACHIN!” types that is hyped up by the College Football Media as some brilliant oracle of coaching.

Right up there with the likes of Dabo (another good CEO but terrible game manager) and Kirby (just obnoxious and has no institutional control) (and yes, I know those two have won titles).
 
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EssexTrojan1

Redshirt
Jul 15, 2025
30
22
8
As a Penn State fan, I’m hurt but kind of felt like if he didn’t get it done this year, that would cost him his job. I saw today that at least 6 recruits have de-committed
 

EPJr1947

All-Conference
Sep 27, 2002
12,891
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Personally I think Penn State and Nebraska fans are living in the past. Neither will be a big dog in the Big Ten, NU needs to go to the Big XII and Penn State needs to go to the ACC if they want to recapture past glories (maybe).
 

Anon1751902864

Freshman
Jul 7, 2025
101
63
28
Penn St came back from molesting kids scandal. I think they will recover from firing this coach. I don't think VA Tech will ever return to its glory like the years under Frank Beamer. I hope I am wrong, because the students and locals sure do support that team well.
 
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Virginiafan42

Redshirt
Feb 5, 2025
11
0
1
Personally I think Penn State and Nebraska fans are living in the past. Neither will be a big dog in the Big Ten, NU needs to go to the Big XII and Penn State needs to go to the ACC if they want to recapture past glories (maybe). in the CFP last year. SMH
PSU was in the CFP last year. SMH
 

ThevinStealberg

Sophomore
Jul 26, 2018
183
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But being just fine isn't that one of the reasons Franklin was fired? They won 10 games every year and just missed the championship game last year? I agree that they will continue to attract recruits, but I'm not sure if they will be able to compete with the Top 5 teams in the near future.
They weren't competing with the top 5 teams during his tenure so I guess things would be status quo. Also, out of his 11 complete seasons, 5 ended with less than 10 wins.

Franklin's main issue and downfall was his inability to win against top opponents. A few more wins against Michigan and Ohio State and we likely wouldn't be having this convo at all.
 
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Bo Bob

All-Conference
Dec 1, 2016
1,295
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Franklin's main issue and downfall was his inability to win against top opponents. A few more wins against Michigan and Ohio State and we likely wouldn't be having this convo at all.
Agree! He has some top five wins along the way he could have survived the last three games.
I'm happy with the decision. He was a heck of a recruiter but that didn't translate on to the field with the exception of last year but the QB shoulders a lot of the blame for the ND loss.
Who do they get???? I just want to see them back in contention and knock off OSU from time to time.
 

CoachQue

Junior
Aug 1, 2025
239
392
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Penn State could fall into obscurity now. Send James Franklin to Chapel Hill, I'm over the current regime. I'd gladly take 9-10 wins a year.