Could Penn State Already Regret Firing James Franklin?

A little over one month ago, Penn State sent head coach James Franklin packing.

The Nittany Lions had actual National Championship expectations in 2025, and Franklin fell comically short of that. After 12 seasons, Penn State bought out Franklin and paid him to go away.

But one month later, that decision seems skeptical as Penn State’s coaching search is off to a rocky start. Sure, the Nittany Lions probably needed a fresh voice. But who is that voice going to be?

Nebraska worked quickly to keep Matt Rhule in town. Next season, Rhule and quarterback Dylan Raiola will likely improve again.

Indiana did the same thing – working to extend fast-rising Curt Cignetti, who has the Hoosiers playing like one of the best teams in the country. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the Heisman favorite and likely a top NFL Draft pick in the spring.

Over the last month, it sounded like Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin would have any job offer that he desired. Well, it sounds like LSU is preparing a godfather offer for Kiffin after they fired Brian Kelly.

That leaves Penn State in an awkward position. It certainly felt like part of the reason why Franklin got fired was for the Nittany Lions to search for an upgraded head coach. Their options are dwindling quickly.

Meanwhile, Franklin himself has already found a new home with Virginia Tech. This hire has been applauded around the national college football landscape as the Hokies will give their new head coach resources necessary to compete.

Also, the pressure of winning big games will not follow Franklin to Virginia Tech – which is a huge victory for him.

While Florida is likely the nation’s top head coach opening because of the recruiting hotbed and no state income tax for NIL purposes, the Nittany Lions likely have the second-best opportunity.

According to reports, the Nittany Lions could be exploring Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer. But would he really leave the shadows of Nick Saban to enter a Big Ten where Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes seem to be college football’s next dynasty?

Maybe Penn State could find a way to poach the $87 million head coach from college football’s latest powerhouse. If not, they might have to roll the dice on an unproven hire like when Cignetti was hired from James Madison. Or, they could roll the dice all the way and give a chance to an unproven coordinator.

At the current moment, it seems like Franklin might have gotten the last laugh with a little bit of buyout cash in his pocket and a low-pressure gig coaching the Hokies.