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Terry Smith reveals whether Penn State players, coaches watched James Franklin on College GameDay

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs12 hours agogrant_grubbs_
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Penn State cornerback coach Terry Smith. (Credit: Ryan Snyder | Blue White Illustrated)

On Saturday, former Penn State head coach James Franklin appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay and discussed being fired. After Penn State’s 25-24 loss to Iowa later that day, Penn State interim coach Terry Smith revealed whether he and the team’s players watched Franklin’s interview.

“No, I didn’t see it,” Smith said. “Some people told me some snippets of it, but I don’t have a comment. I just didn’t see it, to be accurate.”

Penn State’s game against Iowa was its first contest without Franklin calling the shots since 2013. The Nittany Lions entered this season ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25.

They won their first three games, but fell in double-overtime when they hosted Oregon in Week 5. The Nittany Lions failed to rebound from the loss, suffering defeats in their next two contests as well, against UCLA and Northwestern respectively.

In turn, Penn State fired James Franklin. The Nittany Lions didn’t look much better without the 53-year-old head coach on Saturday. They amassed just 266 yards of total offense and committed two turnovers.

Both of Penn State’s turnovers were interceptions thrown by quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who making his first start of the season. In Franklin’s final game at Penn State, starting quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending injury.

Grunkemeyer struggled to fill Allar’s shoes. He completed just 15-of-his-28 pass attempts for 93 yards and zero touchdowns. While Franklin was obviously upset to be fired at Penn State, he’s ready to the next chapter of his coaching career.

“I don’t know anything else. I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I don’t have hobbies, I don’t golf, I don’t fish. This has been such a big part of my identity, such a big part of my family. We love it,” Franklin said. “It was a take a deep breath, kind of in shock, surreal moment, and then it’s a we got to get back to doing what we do, which is, help young people achieve their dreams, get a great education. 

“Still balance what college football has become, the student athlete experience and big time business, but there’s a way to do that. And I can’t wait for that next challenge, and we’re going to go win a national championship at the highest level.”

With several other coaching jobs expected to open up in the coming weeks, Franklin could find his next opportunity soon. Meanwhile, Penn State will continue to look to end its losing streak. The Nittany Lions have a bye in Week 9 before taking on Ohio State on Nov. 1.