Penn State fired long-time coach James Franklin on Sunday. The move came as the Nittany Lions opened the 2025 season as preseason No. 2 team in the country and won the first three games but are 3-3 now with consecutive losses.
While many are left stunned with the news of Franklin’s firing, ex-NFL star Emmanuel Acho believes the move is justified.
“You come here for those wondering why Penn State head coach James Franklin got fired,” Acho said. “Just show him this. He was 0 and 15 versus (the) top five teams. He was 4 and 21 versus top 10 teams. The dude was 1 and 10 versus Michigan and Ohio State.
“What the hell is he doing? Get this Penn State the first football program ever to lose back to back games when favored by 20 or more points. You lost to UCLA when UCLA couldn’t find a win. You lost to Northwestern. Northwestern? They’re like a knockoff Ivy League school.”
BREAKING NEWS: James Franklin Fired from Penn State
• 0-15 vs top 5 teams
• 4-21 vs top 10 teams
• 3-17 vs. Michigan & Ohio state
• 1st coach to lose consecutive games where he was as a 20-point favorite in both. pic.twitter.com/9Aj3oQOWkB
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 12, 2025
Franklin was in his 12th year with PSU and had $49 million remaining on his contract, according to ESPN.
CBS Sports’ Adam Breneman reflected on the Nittany Lions’ outlook after Franklin’s firing.
“When you fire James Franklin – who was one play away from the national title game last year, with all his success and a $50M buyout – you’re not just making a change. You’re going after a program-defining hire,” Breneman tweeted.
When you fire James Franklin – who was one play away from the national title game last year, with all his success and a $50M buyout – you’re not just making a change. You’re going after a program-defining hire.
My short list ⬇️
– Curt Cignetti
– Marcus Freeman
– Alex Golesh
-…— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) October 12, 2025
Breneman also shortlisted some candidates as the potential next PSU head coach. The list includes some notable head coaches from other schools like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule.
Penn State witnesses a big recruiting loss after James Franklin’s firing
Following James Franklin’s firing, Penn State got a major recruiting loss as four-star linebacker Gabriel Jenkins decommitted from the Nittany Lions.
Jenkins shared his commitment news in a post on X.
“After the recent shake up at Penn State. I would like to announce I will be decommitting from Penn State University.l will take some official visits and reevaluate what’s best for my family and I.
“I will also delay my commitment until after the season to fully concentrate on the pursuit of a state championship. Thank you to all my family, friends, teammates,followers and supporters.”
— Gabriel Jenkins (@gabealldy) October 12, https://gridironheroics.com/james-franklin-penn-state-fired-breaking-news/2025
According to the 247Sports Composite, Jenkins is the No. 241 prospect in the nation. The 2027 class recruit had been committed to the Nittany Lions since June.
