James Franklin reveals why he's more at peace right now at Penn State

On3 imageby:Chandler Vessels11/23/22

ChandlerVessels

James Franklin is happier than he’s ever been at Penn State. Despite rumors last offseason that he would leave for another job, the Nittany Lions football coach ended up signing a 10-year contract extension that will keep him at the school through 2031.

That wasn’t the only move Penn State made this offseason, however. The Nittany Lions also hired a new president in Neeli Bendapudi and a new athletic director in Patrick Kraft. Asked in a Tuesday press conference whether he feels “at peace” at Penn State, Franklin said yes and pointed to the new leadership as the main reason why.

“I think probably the biggest factor for that is the alignment,” he said. “That has been phenomenal. I think you guys know in the past, I’ve always been happy with the leadership, but I did feel we needed more alignment. Specifically when it comes to football. I think that’s been obvious from the chair to the president. If you spend time around our president, she just has an energy, an enthusiasm and a positivity for Penn State specifically, but for this community and for students and their experience. It’s infectious. It really is.

“(Kraft) is aggressive when it comes to athletics and I think is fighting for not just football, for all the sports. So that has been really good. That has been a real positive. That’s probably the biggest thing. I feel like I can focus more of my time and energy on our players and our program right now then probably I ever have in 12 years all the way back to Vanderbilt.”

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James Franklin is in his ninth season at Penn State, having led them to a 9-2 record so far this year. His only losses have come against Michigan and Ohio State, both of which are currently undefeated. In total, he has amassed a 76-36 overall record with the Nittany Lions, but was just 11-11 in the two seasons prior to this one.

That improved play is a sign that he is more comfortable now than he had been and he’ll hope to keep it up to close out the season strong. Franklin can reach 10 wins for the fourth time at Penn State with a victory against Michigan State at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday in Happy Valley.