James Franklin will resign as the head coach of Penn State football if the team misses the next College Football Playoff (CFP), he announced Sunday. Franklin, the 10-year leader of the Nittany Lions, has never made the CFP in his tenure.
“I’ve been at Penn State for 10 years,” Franklin told Onward State. “It’s time for me to show my worth. There are people out there who say I’m a fraud, and until I win some big games, they might be right. There are going to be 12 teams in the playoff next year, and that’s prime opportunity for this program to make its mark.”
“I just can’t have that as Penn State’s head coach,” Franklin continued. “If I don’t make the playoff next year, I’m resigning.”
Franklin’s announcement comes after continued struggles against the Nittany Lions’ toughest opponents. He beat Ohio State once during his 10 years, only on a fluke, but iconic kick-six score by Grant Haley. He struggled against Michigan, too, losing to the Wolverines even with head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended for the game.
Franklin said those struggles played heavily into his decision, though it was more heavily influenced by his difficulties in crucial bowl games, including losses to USC in the 2017 Rose Bowl and Ole Miss in the 2023 Peach Bowl.Sure, losing to Ohio State and Michigan every year was difficult for our program, but what was worse was watching Sam Darnold and his luscious hair lift that Rose Bowl trophy,” Franklin said.
“Really, what it comes down to was that I have lost the big-game battle,” Franklin added. “The team has struggled too much against top-10, top-20 teams for me to really earn this job. I think if I can’t do it this year, it’s time to hand over the reins to someone else.”
Franklin also added a shocking suggestion as to who should replace him if he resigns: former Penn State quarterbacks coach and son of Penn State legend Joe Paterno, Jay Paterno
