Penn State AD: Franklin's Firing Was More Than Just Recent Losses

The Decision to Fire James Franklin

On Monday afternoon, just under 24 hours after a shocking loss to Northwestern sent shockwaves through the college football world, athletic director Pat Kraft addressed the media in State College. He explained his decision to fire head coach James Franklin, a move that left many stunned and questioning the future of Penn State football.

Kraft delivered a lengthy prepared statement, answered numerous pointed questions from reporters, and then stepped aside for Terry Smith, the interim leader of the program, to take over. The news conference lasted about 45 minutes.

In his remarks, Kraft revealed that he had made the decision to dismiss Franklin early Sunday morning, following the Nittany Lions’ latest defeat and reflecting on the overall state of the program. He considered sleeping on it for another night, which would have delayed the process into Monday, but ultimately trusted his instincts and acted. Kraft informed Franklin at the Lasch Building on Sunday and elevated Smith, who had been Franklin’s associate head coach and cornerbacks coach, to the interim role later that day.

Smith shared that the team had a meeting scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Sunday. He learned of Franklin’s dismissal about 25 minutes earlier and described his reaction as "stunned." Franklin was given the chance to address his team one last time before leaving, with his future uncertain. Smith and Franklin had a heartfelt conversation on Sunday evening.

"I just wanted to express my gratitude and thankfulness for him and all that he’s done for me, my family and this program," said Smith, a Penn State alum and a key member of Franklin’s staff since 2014. "He took us out of a dark era and got us to be a relevant program again. And we don’t take that for granted."

Together, Kraft and Smith outlined their vision for what lies ahead for Penn State. Smith expressed his desire to be considered for the full-time role, something Kraft said he was open to, but acknowledged that a national search would begin soon. In the meantime, the Nittany Lions are preparing for a tough road game against Iowa on Saturday night.

Insights from Kraft's Remarks

Kraft emphasized that his decision to fire Franklin was not based solely on the Nittany Lions' current three-game losing streak. This stretch included a close loss to Oregon and a subsequent defeat to Northwestern. However, he insisted that the choice was not a knee-jerk reaction, and that reducing Franklin’s departure to those three losses was a disservice to both the coach and the evaluation process.

Kraft spoke passionately about the need to look beyond immediate results and consider where the program was, where it is, and where it needs to go. He stressed that the decision was driven by the goal of making Penn State the best program in the country.

"Looking at where the program was and where it is and where we want to be, I just felt there was no other course," Kraft said. "I weigh everything when I make a decision. The PhD nerd in me is like I do data, I do analytics, I look at everything."

Kraft also highlighted the challenges of the modern era of football, including transfers and the evolving landscape of player compensation. He mentioned that these factors were part of the thought process behind his decision.

Evaluating the Timing of the Decision

Despite Kraft’s insistence that the decision was well-considered, the timing raises some questions. Nine months ago, on January 9, Penn State was battling Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff semifinal. The game was tied 24-24 in the final moments when quarterback Drew Allar threw an interception that cost the team the game. Had that play gone differently, Franklin's team might have reached the national championship game.

Following that game, Kraft allowed Franklin to hire Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator, paying him $3.1 million annually, the highest salary for any coordinator in the country. He also approved significant spending on player retention and acquisition, bringing back several high-profile starters and adding premium players through the transfer portal. These actions suggested continued confidence in Franklin's leadership.

Yet, despite this investment, Franklin's performance in the 2025 season has been inconsistent. His record against top-10 opponents has been poor, and the team has struggled to win games against highly ranked teams. The recent losses to Oregon and Northwestern have only intensified the scrutiny on his coaching abilities.

What Kraft Is Looking For in the Next Coach

Kraft emphasized that the next head coach must embody the values of Penn State: integrity, accountability, toughness, humility, and the ability to motivate. He also stressed the importance of recruiting elite talent, retaining players in the NIL era, and maximizing resources in the modern era of college football.

"Recruiting will always be a pillar here. We want someone who will attract elite talent, retain players in the NIL era and make Penn State a destination," Kraft said.

This emphasis on modern strategies suggests that the next coach may need to be more aggressive in utilizing the transfer portal and managing player dynamics. Franklin's cautious approach to transfers has been a point of contention, especially compared to rival programs like Michigan and Ohio State, which have relied heavily on transfers to build championship-winning teams.

Smith's Perspective on the Team's Struggles

Terry Smith acknowledged the challenges facing the Nittany Lions, particularly in navigating the new era of college football. He mentioned the complexities of managing a large roster, ensuring unity, and maintaining focus on the team's goals.

"There’s a number of reasons. We’re in a new era of football. And like Pat [Kraft] said, you have to navigate everything about it: NIL, there’s money [involved], the locker room of bringing 125 guys together as a team, bringing individuals [together] like a hand and making them collective. That’s my job now," Smith said.

He added that success would come from the team pulling in the same direction, emphasizing that the focus should be on the quality of the opposing team rather than internal issues.

"Success is the team pulling a rope the same direction. It’s when you watch us play, you guys will come in here and your questions won’t be [about] effort. Your questions won’t be, ‘They look lethargic.’ If we lose, it’s gonna be because that team beat us and they were just better," Smith said.

Conclusion

The firing of James Franklin marks a significant shift for Penn State football. With Terry Smith stepping in as interim coach, the program faces the challenge of rebuilding and redefining its identity. The next few months will be critical in determining whether the Nittany Lions can regain their footing and return to national prominence.