Something strange is happening in college football. Coaches who should be on the hot seat keep their jobs longer than ever. The reason? It’s not just about wins and losses anymore.
James Franklin just revealed how the transfer portal has become the ultimate job protection for college coaches, creating a situation where firing an underperforming coach could destroy an entire program overnight.
How Does the Transfer Portal Protect Coaches From Being Fired?
In a recent episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Penn State head coach James Franklin and quarterback Drew Allar joined the show to preview the upcoming college football season and discuss the Nittany Lions’ clear path to a national championship.
However, beyond the on-field expectations, the conversation shifted toward a deeper issue affecting college football: how NIL and the transfer portal impact coaching job stability.
Cowherd shared that NIL has become a surprising safety net for college coaches, even those falling short of expectations. He explained that coaches often rely on boosters to raise massive sums of money to retain players.
That financial strain makes it incredibly difficult for athletic departments to afford to fire a coach, pay out their contract, and hire a replacement.
“My take is NIL helps coaches. Cause you ask boosters to raise 15 million dollars a year for players. They’re not getting rid of coaches and writing another 50 million dollar buyout and then another 50 million for the next coach,” Cowherd said.
“…These athletic departments have to raise so much money to retain players; they can’t buy out coaches left and right.”
Franklin agreed with Cowherd’s perspective but added another crucial angle. He pointed out that beyond NIL, coaches’ influence plays a massive role in their job stability.
KEEP READING: Legendary Coach Mack Brown Warns NIL Chaos, Transfers Could Leave CFB Players ‘Homeless’
The connection works like this: Many players commit to a program because of a specific coach. More importantly, they stay because of that personal relationship. Firing a coach risks triggering a wave of transfers, especially from players who no longer feel tied to the program once their trusted leader is gone.
“I actually would say the transfer portal has got as much of an impact on that as anything because if you let your coach go, and that coach is connected and tight with the team in a way he should be, those guys can all go with him into the transfer portal,” Franklin said.
“You could lose 50 guys into the transfer portal by making a coaching change. So I think that has an impact as much as anything.”
What Makes Drew Allar Key to Penn State’s Championship Hopes?
Meanwhile, Penn State has drawn serious national attention. Fans and analysts are predicting a Big Ten title, and maybe even a run to the national championship.
After reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals in the 2024 season, the Nittany Lions are returning with a roster stacked with talent and unfinished business.
At the heart of Penn State’s championship aspirations is quarterback Drew Allar, who’s gearing up for his third season leading the offense. In college football, few things are more valuable than an experienced quarterback, and Allar brings that stability.
Allar is a signal-caller who has steadily refined his game year after year. Franklin has often praised Allar’s development, noting how he’s grown from a promising young passer into a true field general.
This upcoming season marks Allar’s final chapter in blue and white, and he’s determined to make it memorable.
