Former player and head coach James Franklin faces intense public scrutiny and the threat of being fired due to his underwhelming performance in Thursday’s Orange Bowl against Notre Dame.
Franklin currently serves as the head coach at Pennsylvania State University, joining the team in 2014.
Previously, he held the same position at Vanderbilt University from 2011 to 2013, bringing decades of experience to the role.
Born on February 2, 1972, the mentor is widely recognized for his recruiting prowess and passionate coaching style.
Before starting his coaching career in 1995, he played as a quarterback at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Franklin set seven school records during his college years, highlighting his early prominence in the sport.
However, over the years, the coach has faced heavy criticism for his lackluster performance, which has led to his team’s defeats.
Penn State Suffers a Narrow 24-27 Loss to Notre Dame During Thursday’s Orange Bowl
During the intense matchup between Penn State and Notre Dame, many anticipated Franklin would finally break his skid.
The presumed streak consists of 12 consecutive losses to top-five teams over the span of eight years.
Moreover, Penn State fans had high hopes for a comeback as the team was leading 10-0 in the second quarter.
𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋: Notre Dame beats Penn State 27-24 to advance to the national championship game☘️‼️
— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) January 10, 2025
What. A. Game.https://t.co/QAoCs7dRMb pic.twitter.com/laqUXJf95X
Likewise, the expectation continued to build as the team held a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter.
However, in the game’s final moments, the score was tied, yet Penn State held the offensive possession, offering an opportunity to secure a win.
Subsequently, quarterback Drew Allar made a severe mistake that cost his squad the national championship.
Allar threw a brutal interception in the middle of the field, ultimately losing Penn State.
Many fans were visibly agitated after this devastating defeat and strongly demanded Franklin’s dismissal.
Penn State Fans Express Their Disappointment Over James Franklin’s Coaching Decision
After the loss, netizens turned to various social media platforms to voice their frustration.
One of the Users in X posted, mentioning,
@penn_state IF PENN STATE SUPPORTERS DO NOT PULL THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE PENN STATE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AFTER JAMES FRANKLIN EMBARRASSED US YET AGAIN, I AM UNFORTUNATELY FINISHED SUPPORTING OUR FOOTBALL PROGAM. SO IF WE DO NOT FIRE FRANKLIN, I AM PULLING ALL OF MY FINANCIAL SUPPORT!
This underscores the intense sentiments of the fans and their firm demand for James Franklin to be fired.
Additionally, many fans believe the coach’s consistent failure has contributed to the team’s poor performance, intensifying the pressure for change.
Furthermore, another user commented, saying,
Fire James Franklin. Period. What more needs to be seen. Completely outcoached in the second half. Another big game, another big loss.
As the tension continues to grow, many viewers are questioning Franklin’s abilities to lead Penn State in the future effectively.
Additional Information
- Franklin met his wife, Fumi, in 1998, and they currently raise their two daughters, Addy and Shola with pride.
- The coach is widely recognized for his philanthropic efforts, including matching a $10,000 donation from Goodyear to the Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
- James Franklin was born and raised in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, by his parents, James Oliver and Jocelyn “Josie” Franklin.
