Particle.news
Download on the App Store
251 ARTICLES
·
4h ago

Penn State Fires James Franklin After 3-Game Slide, Names Terry Smith Interim

Penn State cited unmet standards after a 3-3 start, launching a national coaching search.

Penn State Head Coach James Franklin looks on during the fourth quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 11, 2025, in State College, Pennsylvania.
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • The university announced Franklin's dismissal Sunday, less than 24 hours after a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern dropped the Nittany Lions to 3-3 following defeats to Oregon and UCLA.
  • Associate head coach and former Penn State receiver Terry Smith will lead the team for the rest of the season as athletic director Pat Kraft directs a national search for the next head coach.
  • Franklin is reportedly owed more than $48 million under his contract, with ESPN's Pete Thamel reporting it as the second-largest buyout in college football history.
  • Starting quarterback Drew Allar sustained a season-ending leg injury against Northwestern, compounding the midseason downturn for a team that opened the year ranked No. 2.
  • Franklin departs with a 104-45 record over 11-plus seasons, highlighted by a 2016 Big Ten title and last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal, but marked by struggles against top-10 opponents.