David Pollack believes Penn State fired James Franklin too early, faces difficult task

After 12 seasons in Happy Valley, half of which ended with double-digit winning seasons, Penn State head coach James Franklin was fired Sunday in the midst of a disappointing three-game losing streak. The decision came down less than 24 hours after an embarrassing 22-21 home loss to Northwestern.

Still, despite the recent setbacks, it was an especially jarring midseason move for a blueblood football program like the Nittany Lions that entered the 2025 season with legit national championship aspirations.

College football pundits everywhere have reacted to Franklin’s surprising ouster, including several that believe it was more than a little hasty on the part of the Penn State brass. Count former Georgia star and ex-ESPN analyst David Pollack in that particular camp.

“Should (Franklin) have been fired? I don’t think so. I don’t agree with it,” Pollack said in Monday’s episode of his See Ball Get Ball podcast. “Did he perform to the level that you want him to perform? Absolutely not. Like no. Especially this year, super disappointing. But, I’m going to give you a list of guys real quick: Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, Kalen DeBoer, Dan Lanning – that’s the list since 2022 (of head coaches) that have won more games than James Franklin. It’s not a big list, man.

“I get it, disappointed like crazy with UCLA, disappointed like crazy with Northwestern. But, now (as the program begins) going out and hiring a replacement, who is the guy?” Pollack continued. “Who is the guy that (PSU fans will) say, ‘Yes, that is a home run, that’s the best of all worlds. We’re going to get him in here and they’re going to completely change it around.’”

Pollack then addressed several potential high-profile candidates that have been tossed around in connection to the Penn State opening, quickly dismissing them all as serious options due to their current coaching situations.

“I think there’s a couple of names, … so let’s address the names. You keep hearing (Mike) Elko. I don’t see it. Why would Elko leave Texas A&M with all the resources, all the success? … They’re en route to a Playoff run, (so) your coach is not going to start talking and negotiating with another fanbase. … (Indiana‘s Curt) Cignetti’s in the same ballpark, exact same world. Cignetti is obviously hot because he just did this switch, did it with (mostly transfer) players, but they’re very much in the (Big Ten) drivers seat after beating Oregon. … Going to be in the Playoff two years in a row. I don’t see why he’d leave. Lane Kiffin is another one that continues to be talked about. I can see Lane leaving (Ole Miss) for one spot, maybe, and that’s Florida. … I think he could do well, but I don’t even see Lane leaving (for another job) because, again, they’re in the middle of a Playoff push and it seems like he’s found a lot of peace where he’s at. … None of those make sense to me. I’ll take all those off the table.”

David Pollack makes case for Matt Rhule, Matt Campbell, Eli Drinkwitz as Penn State candidates

With some of the biggest names already off the table, Pollack worked through several more likely coaching options for Penn State to pursue, and began with Nebraska‘s Matt Rhule — a Penn State alumnus and an early fan favorite.

“Matt Rhule is the first name that comes to mind because it’s his alma mater. He’s worked for the AD now that’s at Penn State. He was at Temple with him,” Pollack said. “He’s also been in the Big Ten at Nebraska, which is a little bit different. They’re not a big name in the Big ten, they have to develop and recruit. He worked at Baylor. Not a big name in the Big 12. You’ve got to recruit. You’ve got to be a little different. You’ve got to be about development.”

Pollack then threw out two other options: Iowa State‘s Matt Campbell and Missouri‘s Eli Drinkwitz, the latter of whom could potentially bring Tigers QB Beau Pribula back to Penn State in a package deal.

“So who’s next on the list? Who fits the criteria? Matt Campbell. I think Matt Campbell is a really, really good one. He’s done it at Iowa State, where he’s done it with less talent. He wins close games and always puts good offense and discipline on the field,” Pollack continued. “How about another guy who fits that category? Eli Drinkwitz. You know what I love about Eli Drinkwitz? He’s got that moxie and that attitude. He likes to be the agitator and say things that are unconventional. He’ll bring some clout and fun with him to Penn State, so I think that would be a good fit. … He’s done a great job of adapting to NIL and the Portal. Wouldn’t it be something if he went and got his quarterback and brought his quarterback (Pribula) back to Penn State?”

— On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this report.