Penn State Dismisses Head Coach James Franklin After 3-3 Season Start

Penn State University has dismissed head football coach James Franklin after a 3-3 start to the 2025 season. The decision follows a 22-21 loss to Northwestern at Beaver Stadium, marking the Nittany Lions' third consecutive defeat. Associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, a former Penn State letterman, will serve as interim head coach.

Franklin, who took over the program in 2014, led the team to a Big Ten Championship in 2016 and six double-digit win seasons. However, his tenure was marked by struggles against top-tier opponents, with a 4-21 record against teams ranked in the top 10 and a 1-11 record against rival Ohio State.

The financial implications of Franklin's dismissal are significant. Under the terms of his 2021 contract extension, Penn State is obligated to pay a buyout of $56 million. However, the contract was amended in 2024 without publicly released terms, potentially altering the buyout amount.

In response to the recent loss, Franklin stated, "I take full responsibility for what's happened tonight. I take full responsibility for what's happened this season, and I'm committed to the guys in that locker room."

Franklin concludes his tenure at Penn State with a record of 104-45, tying him for second in all-time wins at the university with Rip Engle.