Penn State Fires Football Coach James Franklin

Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State has fired football coach James Franklin.

The Nittany Lions will pay nearly $50 million making Franklin’s buyout the second-largest severance pay day in college football history.

During his 12-season run as coach, Franklin delivered six 10-win seasons, including three straight from 2022 to 2024. His tenure ended after the team’s third consecutive loss this season, with his final record at penn state being 104-45.

Franklin’s ousting comes less than 24 hours after a 22-21 home upset at the hands of Northwestern all but ended whatever remote chance the pre-season No. 2 team had of reaching the college football playoff.

Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions who are currently 3-3.