The 2025 season has been a catastrophic failure for James Franklin, head coach of Penn State's football team, and the repercussions are undeniable. But how did it come to this? A tale of unfulfilled potential and shattered dreams is about to unfold.
Franklin's coaching career has always been a subject of debate. While he has consistently delivered winning seasons and built a solid program, his inability to win big games and reach the pinnacle of success has been a recurring theme. But this season, the narrative took a drastic turn.
After a devastating 22-21 home loss to Northwestern, Franklin's fate was sealed. This loss marked a historic low, making him the first coach ever to lose consecutive games as a 20-point favorite. And if that wasn't enough, Penn State is now on the brink of becoming the first preseason top-two team to finish unranked since 2012, a fate shared only by a few unfortunate teams in history.
The season started with high hopes, especially after Franklin's impressive run last year, reaching the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. But the 2025 season exposed Franklin's limitations in the harshest way possible. And here's where it gets controversial: some argue that the pressure and expectations were too much for Franklin, while others believe he simply couldn't adapt to the challenges of the modern game.
The team's recent performances have been nothing short of disastrous. The loss to Northwestern was followed by an embarrassing 42-37 defeat at UCLA, a team that had been struggling but found new life under an interim coach. This two-game losing streak is a stark contrast to their earlier loss to Oregon, where Franklin's main concern was his team's inability to beat top-ranked opponents.
With quarterback Drew Allar now out for the season due to injury, the team's prospects look even bleaker. The upcoming schedule is brutal, featuring games against Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana. Penn State has gone from being a national championship contender to fighting for a spot in the Motor City Bowl (now known as the GameAbove Sports Bowl) in just six weeks.
This dramatic fall from grace comes despite Penn State's efforts to provide Franklin with everything he needed. The university addressed NIL/collective issues and gave him the resources to attract and retain top players. They even paid a premium to hire defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, offering him $3.1 million per year, the highest salary for such a position. Yet, Franklin's $8.5 million annual salary now seems like a questionable investment.
While Franklin's past success at Penn State cannot be erased, the 2025 season has likely marked the end of his tenure. The team's performance has been far from what was expected, and the toxicity surrounding such a disappointing season is hard to ignore. And this is the part most people miss: the team's struggles extend beyond the coach, with veteran players underperforming and young talents unable to make an impact.
As other teams and coaches find redemption, Franklin's fate seems sealed. Unlike Alabama's Kalen DeBoer or UCLA's Nico Iamaleava, who have turned their teams' fortunes around, Franklin has no such comeback in sight. The season is a disaster, and the only way forward is to move on. Penn State fans can only hope for a new era, reminiscent of the transitions other programs have successfully navigated.
As the season continues, the focus shifts to the future of Penn State football. Will Franklin's legacy be one of unfulfilled potential, or will he be remembered as a stepping stone towards greater success? The answer lies in the weeks and months to come, and it's a story that will keep sports enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
