Penn State firing James Franklin FAQ: Transfer portal timeline, buyout info, recruiting, next coach options, and more

Penn State has fired a head coach in-season for perhaps the first time in program history. At the very least, you have to go back to the 1900s — and not any of the program’s championship teams from that century — to find the most recent instance. Regardless, James Franklin is out in State College. He finishes his time in State College at 104-45 over 11-plus seasons. Associate head coach Terry Smith is the new interim head coach. He will lead the team over the final six games of the regular season, plus any postseason opportunities it may earn.

“Penn State owes an enormous amount of gratitude to Coach Franklin who rebuilt our football program into a national power,” athletic director Pat Kraft. “He won a Big Ten Championship, led us to seven New Year’s Six bowl games and a College Football Playoff appearance last year. However, we hold our athletics programs to the highest of standards, and we believe this is the right moment for new leadership at the helm of our football program to advance us toward Big Ten and national championships.” 

We’ve compiled some answers to frequently asked questions below.

Can Penn State players enter the transfer portal immediately?

No. A new NCAA rule, put into place on Oct. 7, ended players’ ability to transfer during a 30-day period that begins after their head coach is fired. Instead, there is now one transfer portal window. It will run from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16.

Do the Lions have to hurry to hire a new coach?

No. But, given that National Signing Day for the Class of 2026 is Dec. 3 and the portal opens on Jan. 2, having a hire in place as quickly as possible after the season ends is ideal. Would Penn State sacrifice the current recruiting cycle to ensure it has a long-term fit ready to attack the portal? Time will tell.

What is the best way to follow the latest developments?

Subscribers have access to the latest coaching search intel, recruiting updates, and more! Become part of the Penn State community with Blue-White Illustrated. Start for $1 for your first week, and get a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership. Click here to sign up.

How much is James Franklin’s buyout?

The number is in the ballpark of $50 million on paper. But the exact figure is unclear. USA Today tracks it at $49.7 million based on Franklin’s most recent contract terms. But, that deal was altered somehow last November to account for the expanded College Football Playoff. What changes, if any, were made to the buyout terms as part of that is not clear. Additionally, no published contract ever detailed how the buyout had to be paid in terms of lump sums, the duration of the payout period, mitigation if Franklin gets another job, or otherwise.

What does this mean for recruiting?

Penn State has suffered numerous decommitments, as expected, in the wake of Franklin’s firing. Blue-White Illustrated’s Ryan Snyder is tracking all of the developments. You can view it by clicking here.

Where could Penn State turn next?

Pat Kraft now has to make the biggest hire of his Penn State tenure. Who could he pick to follow Franklin? It will be his first football coach hire in State College. And BWI’s Sean Fitz has version one of our hot board here.

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Pat Kraft believes this is the ‘right moment’ for new Penn State football leadership; here’s what else he said about firing James Franklin