Following a disastrous 3-3 start to the season, Penn State pulled the trigger on firing James Franklin, a move that sent shockwaves through the sport. Despite a career record of 104-45 in Happy Valley and a massive buyout initially estimated at nearly $50 million (settled for a reported $9 million negotiated buyout), Franklin didn’t stay unemployed for long. Now the head coach at Virginia Tech, Franklin has finally broken his silence on his departure.
James Franklin Reflects on Penn State Departure and Fan Expectations
In a conversation with Adam Breneman, Franklin was strikingly blunt about the fickle nature of fan expectations. “I think that’s the hard part, right, is after 12 years, again, nobody cares about what the program was like when you got there, right?” Franklin said.
When Franklin arrived in 2014, Penn State was still reeling from the aftermath of the Sandusky scandal and heavy NCAA sanctions. The roster was depleted to a degree that younger fans likely cannot fathom.
“But I also understand that we were able to turn it and turn it quickly,” Franklin explained.
“We talked about this before. I think when I got the job, most college football programs have anywhere between 16 and 22 offensive linemen on scholarship. We had four, I think, was the number. Yeah. It was, it was, it was a tough situation. That’s before the transfer portal, right?”
“There’s a portion of the fans out there that want to yell and scream and be ugly, but um I know what we did there over a period of time. And I’m very, very proud. I’m also very appreciative.”
The Franklin era was one of the most consistent periods in Penn State history, even if it lacked the ultimate crown. From 2016 to 2019, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to 42 wins, the most in program history for a four-year span in the Big Ten era. His 13-3 record in 2024 was arguably his masterpiece, featuring a College Football Playoff first-round victory and a Fiesta Bowl title.
However, his 4-21 record against top-10 opponents eventually became a narrative he couldn’t outrun. “Ultimately it’s about winning national championships and we weren’t able to take that last step,” Franklin said. “So, I’m very, very proud and very appreciative of my time.”
As we look toward the 2026 season, the “Franklin Effect” is already palpable in Blacksburg. The Hokies’ 2026 roster is bolstered by a strong core, including quarterback Kelden Ryan and a plethora of tight end targets that Franklin’s offense utilized heavily in the spring.
In addition, legends like Michael Vick are helping the program and giving back to the Hokies football program. Currently, PFSN’s CFB Playoff Meter has the Hokies’ projected win total at 5.11.
