James Franklin’s Catastrophic 2025 Season: An Unavoidable Setback
James Franklin’s role as head coach of Penn State has undergone a significant shift following a tumultuous start to the 2025 college football season. After six games, Franklin has been dismissed from his position, a move triggered by a string of disappointing performances. Penn State’s recent 22-21 loss to Northwestern sealed their fate, eliminating any hope of a College Football Playoff berth.
Franklin’s Historic Struggles
This season has become a defining moment for Franklin. According to reports, he is the first coach in history to lose consecutive games as a favorite by 20 points or more. This historic failure ranks alongside the rare occurrences of such losses by Nebraska in 1996 and Texas Tech in 1997. Furthermore, Penn State is on track to become the first preseason top-two ranked team to finish the season unranked since Lane Kiffin’s USC in 2012.
2025 Season Overview
- Franklin’s tenure as head coach extended over 12 seasons.
- Last season, Penn State reached the College Football Playoff semifinals.
- Key losses this season include:
- 22-21 to Northwestern
- 42-37 to UCLA
- A double-overtime loss to Oregon
- Upcoming games include matches against Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana.
In light of the team’s performance, players expressed feelings of frustration. Franklin acknowledged the impact of external pressures on the team, emphasizing the need to focus on their work and unity moving forward.
Challenges Ahead
The 2025 season has been particularly arduous, with injuries taking a toll on the team. Quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending injury, forcing the team to navigate the remaining schedule with limited options. Penn State’s aspirations have dwindled from potential national championship contenders to vying for a modest bowl invitation.
Performance and Contracts
Despite a solid foundation built over years, Franklin’s current contract raises questions about its value, especially as he is compensated less than many of his peers, including defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Given the recent downturn, evaluations of Franklin’s coaching abilities come under increased scrutiny.
Several veteran players have not met expectations, while promising young talents sit on the sidelines. The noted lack of progress from quarterback Drew Allar has left fans longing for his backup’s success at another program.
Looking Forward
The 2025 season’s turmoil raises doubts about Franklin’s future at Penn State. Absent a miracle turnaround, his coaching tenure may be over. Fans remain hopeful that a new direction will emerge, akin to historically successful program transitions.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Penn State navigates the remainder of their games and what changes might be on the horizon as they work to restore the program’s standing.
