Penn State Dismisses Head Coach James Franklin Amid Three-Game Losing Streak

Penn State University has dismissed head football coach James Franklin after a three-game losing streak, the university announced Sunday. The Nittany Lions, who began the season ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25, have fallen to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten play.

The recent skid included a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern on October 11, where Penn State was a three-touchdown favorite. This followed a defeat by previously winless UCLA on October 4, marking the first time since 1978 that an FBS team lost consecutive games as favorites of at least 20 points.

Associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season.

"Penn State owes an enormous amount of gratitude to Coach Franklin who rebuilt our football program into a national power," said athletic director Patrick 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."

Franklin, who took over the program in 2014, compiled a 104-45 overall record, including a 64-36 mark in Big Ten play. His tenure was highlighted by a Big Ten Championship in 2016 and multiple New Year's Six bowl appearances. Prior to joining Penn State, Franklin served as head coach at Vanderbilt from 2011 to 2013.

Penn State's 3-3 start is its worst six-game record for a preseason AP top-two team since Oklahoma in 1964. The Nittany Lions are scheduled to face Iowa in their next game.