Was Penn State Too Quick to Pull the Trigger on James Franklin?
In a move that has left many scratching their heads, Penn State abruptly fired head coach James Franklin after 12 seasons, six of which boasted double-digit wins. The decision came amidst a three-game losing streak, culminating in a humiliating 22-21 home loss to Northwestern. But here's where it gets controversial: was this midseason firing justified for a program like the Nittany Lions, who entered 2025 with legitimate national championship aspirations?
Former Georgia star and ESPN analyst David Pollack certainly doesn't think so. On his See Ball Get Ball podcast, Pollack expressed his disagreement with the decision, stating, "Should (Franklin) have been fired? I don’t think so. I don’t agree with it." While acknowledging Franklin's recent underperformance, Pollack highlights a crucial point: since 2022, only a handful of coaches – Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, Kalen DeBoer, and Dan Lanning – have won more games than Franklin. This raises the question: Is Penn State setting unrealistic expectations, or is there a deeper issue at play?
Pollack further complicates the narrative by dismissing several high-profile names rumored for the vacancy. He argues that coaches like Mike Elko (Texas A&M), Curt Cignetti (Indiana), and Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss) are unlikely to leave their current, successful positions. This leaves Penn State in a tricky situation: finding a replacement who can not only meet but exceed the expectations set by Franklin's tenure. And this is the part most people miss: Replacing a coach who consistently delivered winning seasons is no easy feat.
Pollack suggests looking beyond the obvious choices, proposing names like Matt Rhule (Nebraska), a Penn State alumnus with Big Ten experience, Matt Campbell (Iowa State), known for his ability to win with less talent, and Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri), a coach with a unique personality and a proven track record in the transfer portal era. Drinkwitz, in particular, presents an intriguing possibility: could he bring his star quarterback, Beau Pribula, with him to Happy Valley?
The search for Franklin's successor is sure to be a heated topic of debate among college football fans. Does Penn State need a proven winner, or should they take a chance on a rising star? What qualities are most important in a coach for a program with national championship aspirations? The answers to these questions will shape the future of the Nittany Lions, and the college football landscape as a whole.
