Another game, another upset. Is it finally over for James Franklin at Penn State?
Penn State AD Pat Kraft walked onto the field after Penn State’s 22-21 loss to Northwestern on Saturday, but didn’t cross paths with head coach James Franklin. They were not side by side during the singing of the alma mater like they have at times in the past. And they did not communicate between the time the game ended and when Franklin vanished into the locker room.
The tension in Beaver Stadium was palpable, even without the booing fans who heckled Franklin after his team’s third straight loss.
Franklin exited the field and walked toward the locker room, taking a moment to hug his daughter out of the view of fans. And then he hugged his wife Fumi.
Maybe for the last time at Penn State.
After more than 11 seasons as the head coach of the Nittany Lions, separation is likely best for all parties involved. And on some level, Franklin acknowledged that when he was asked if he thought being at Penn State was best for his career.
“I take full responsibility for what’s happened tonight,” he said. “I take full responsibility for what’s happened this season, and I’m committed to the guys in that locker room.”
Committed to the guys in that locker room. But no mention of Penn State, no mention of the administration, no mention of the fans. No direct answer to the question.
That’s the kind of answer a coach gives when he knows the end is near, and a direct contrast to the one Franklin gave five days ago when asked if he still thought he could achieve what he wanted to at Penn State.
“I believe in Penn State,” he said at the time. “I believe in our players. I believe in the men in the Lasch Building, men and women in the Lasch Building, and I believe in myself.”
The situation couldn’t be more different since he gave that answer. Any hopes of making the College Football Playoff have been dashed. This will not be the year like it was supposed to be. Which calls into question — if not now, then when?
Penn State was all in on this season. The team brought back most of its best players from 2024, with the exception of first-round picks Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren. It went out and hired Jim Knowles and made him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football — while poaching him from defending national champion Ohio State. It fended off head coaching interest in offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
Everything was in its favor and the athletic department was all-in on the program. And then it all fell apart, and now somebody has to pay — with Franklin as the most likely option. It won’t be cheap with his buyout estimated to be north of $50 million, but all signs point to this being the end.
And it’s probably best for Franklin too.
He wants to be the first Black head coach to win a national title. And in several tries at Happy Valley, he has fallen short. There’s plenty of blame for him — as he’s said in the past, he’s responsible for the program — but he was also butting up against a ceiling that the program hasn’t broken through since 1986. That’s the last time Penn State won a national title.
But it’s not just about the professional aspect for Franklin. There’s the personal element to this, too. Because even he acknowledged to the players postgame that what comes next could get ugly. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton said as much.
“Just that he loves us, he’d do anything for us,” Dennis-Sutton said when asked what Franklin told them postgame. “And now it’s gonna be a whole ‘nother level of problems.”
Those problems already began to manifest Saturday night in Beaver Stadium.
He’s been heckled for years, but that reached a new level as he entered the south tunnel of Beaver Stadium, with fans lining his walk to the locker room. He heard it all again like always when he loses: “F--- you James,” “You’re a f------ fraud,” “I can’t wait until they fire you.” But at least, this time, his daughter didn’t hear it. He sent her ahead of him, likely so she wouldn’t have insults — or worse — hurled her way.
The routine accosting has taken a toll, even if the results might merit it. He wore a look of exhaustion Saturday night — eyes lowered, frown prevalent — as he stood in the middle of the field after the loss. He hugged his players as they walked past, with more than a few saying “I love you, Coach” as they embraced. And he stood there, waiting for all of them to exit the playing surface before he made that trip down the tunnel.
Potentially for the final time.
This story was originally published October 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM.
