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What did Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman say about Penn State firing James Franklin?

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel10/14/25GregPickel
James Franklin
James Franklin and Marcus Freeman shake hands ahead of the Orange Bowl. (Credit: Ryan Snyder | Blue White Illustrated)

James Franklin and Marcus Freeman shook hands at the Orange Bowl 278 days ago after Notre Dame beat Penn State. It sent the Fighting Irish onto the College Football Playoff title game. And it sent the Nittany Lions home. ND did not win the championship, and PSU entered the season higher in the preseason polls. And yet, before Week 8 of the college football season, Franklin is out after being fired by athletic director Pat Kraft on Sunday. On Monday, Freeman was asked to discuss it.

What did he say?

“I have a lot of respect for any coach, but what he’s done for college football has been tremendous,” Freeman said. “And you never want to see somebody fired. As a head coach, right — I’m a head coach — you’re going to be OK, right? You’re gonna be OK. You feel awful for the people that come and join you that are going to be out of a job too. There’s a lot of people affected, a lot of families affected. 

More: How much did recruiting potentially impact Penn State AD Pat Kraft’s decision?

“Like if [ND athletic director] Pete [Bevacqua] said, ‘Marcus, you’re gone’ tomorrow, it stinks cause I love what I do, and I love coaching these young people, but I’m going to be OK. Like, but you feel awful for the people that have joined your program, and their families that don’t have a job at the end of the year. That’s what’s challenging about that. And it’s a reminder to — listen, don’t ever get too comfortable. I mean, you’re just in the college football semi-finals last year. And had a heck of a team. I don’t know what’s going on with Penn State. I haven’t watched any of their games, and you lose three, and that’s it. 


“So it’s a challenging profession. It’s a reminder to be grateful for the opportunities you have. But again, each administration will make their own — I don’t — Penn State made their own decision and every administration makes decisions based off what they think’s important.”

On3’s Pete Nakos reports that Kraft will make a swing at hiring Freeman. But, he is in a good spot at Notre Dame. That makes it an unlikely fit in the end.