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Report: James Franklin required to look for new job in coaching or broadcasting, could mitigate buyout number

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh12 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
NCAA Football: Florida International at Penn State
Sep 6, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Florida International Panthers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

After three consecutive losses, Penn State decided to pull the plug on James Franklin. Firing him came at a high cost, though, with the buyout sitting around $48 million per On3’s Pete Nakos. One of the largest buyouts in college football history.

However, there might be a way for Penn State to pay Franklin a significantly lower sum of money. According to Front Office Sports, Franklin getting a new job would mean the Nittany Lions only have to pay the difference of his $8 million salary. And why some might ask why Franklin would look for a new job, there is a clause saying it’s required.

“James Franklin is required to look for another job in coaching or broadcasting, according to a copy of his Penn State contract obtained by FOS,” FOS said via X. “If Franklin’s new job pays him less than the $8M he’s owed annually through 2031, Penn State only owes him the difference.”

Franklin has been a head coach since the 2011 season at Vanderbilt before leaving for Penn State in 2014. To find his last assistant coaching job, you have to go back to a three-year stint at Maryland when Franklin served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. From there, it’s been a ton of success in Nashville and Happy Valley.

Broadcasting is not something Franklin has done to this point in his life. But per FOS, it’s something he is required to look into at the moment. No public statements have come from Franklin at this point to let anyone know what his future holds.

Penn State AD Pat Kraft explains firing of James Franklin

Penn State dropping the Oregon game was not too surprising, given the level of competition. However, nobody expected them to lose to UCLA or Northwestern — no matter the scenario. With the season all but over from a College Football Playoff perspective, the move to fire Franklin was made. On Monday, Nittany Lions athletic director Pat Kraft spoke with the media to explain the decision.

“I felt after sitting down Saturday and looking at everything, at where we were in terms of the best interest of the athletes and where the program was going that we had to make the hard decision,” Kraft said. “Looking at where the program was, where it is, and where we want to be, I felt that there was no other course. I felt it was time.”