Coach James Franklin's Next Move: A Fresh Start After Penn State Exit

James Franklin, the former Penn State football coach, is ready to embark on a new journey. Despite not securing a national championship with the Nittany Lions, he remains determined to achieve that goal with a new team.

A Shocking Departure

Franklin's firing came as a surprise. He was preparing for a team meeting when the athletic director delivered the news. He quickly informed his players to spare them from finding out through social media. The subsequent meeting was emotional, with Franklin bidding farewell to his team.

Staying Positive

Despite the abrupt end to his tenure, Franklin chose to remain positive. He refrained from criticizing the university's decision, even though some, like Nick Saban, thought it was unfair. Franklin had been with Penn State for 12 years, with a significant portion of his contract still remaining. The team had started the season as the No. 2-ranked team in the country, showing great promise.

Reflecting on the Journey

Last season, Penn State was close to a national championship. They won against SMU and Boise State in the College Football Playoff but lost to Notre Dame in the semifinals. Franklin admitted he was still processing the abrupt end to his tenure. He acknowledged the good moments and big wins but accepted that decisions had been made.

Looking Ahead

With Franklin's departure, Penn State promoted Terry Smith to head coach for the remainder of the season. The team faces challenges ahead, including a road game against Iowa and the absence of quarterback Drew Allar, who is out for the season due to injury.

Franklin, however, is already looking forward to his next challenge. He made it clear that his coaching journey is far from over.

"I can't wait for that next challenge, and we're gonna go win a national championship at the highest level."