Penn State fire James Franklin after disastrous collapse – and with coach owed nearly $50m

The Guardian – SportSunday, October 12, 2025 at 6:38:30 PM
NegativeSports
Penn State fire James Franklin after disastrous collapse – and with coach owed nearly $50m
Penn State has made the tough decision to fire head coach James Franklin after a disappointing season that saw the team, once ranked No. 2, suffer a series of losses culminating in a narrow defeat to Northwestern. This move comes just before the team’s playoff hopes were dashed, and it raises questions about the future direction of the program, especially with Franklin owed nearly $50 million on his contract through 2031. Terry Smith will step in as interim head coach, and fans are eager to see how this change will impact the team's performance moving forward.
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