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

Penn State University has dismissed head football coach James Franklin after a 12-season tenure, following a series of three consecutive losses. The Nittany Lions, who began the season ranked No. 2, have fallen to a 3-3 record, including an 0-3 start in Big Ten play.

Athletic Director Patrick Kraft stated, "This is not a three-game thing. This is really diving into where we are as a program, the trajectory of the program."

Franklin's overall record at Penn State was 104-45, with a 64-36 mark in Big Ten play. His tenure included a 2016 Big Ten Championship and multiple New Year's Six bowl appearances. However, his record against top-10 teams stood at 4-21, including 1-18 against top-10 Big Ten opponents.

Associate Head Coach and Cornerbacks Coach Terry Smith will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Kraft emphasized the university's commitment to high standards, stating, "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."

The search for Franklin's successor is underway, with the university aiming to attract elite talent and leadership to guide the program forward.