Penn State Ousts James Franklin, Prioritizing Victory Over Financial Losses

Penn State University has made the significant decision to fire head football coach James Franklin following a series of disappointing performances. This decision, occurring in the midst of his twelfth season, highlights the high stakes of college football and its financial implications.

Penn State’s Disastrous Three-Game Streak

Just 15 days prior to Franklin’s ousting, the Nittany Lions had aspirations of becoming the top-ranked team in the nation. However, their hopes were dashed when they suffered three consecutive losses:

• First, they fell in double overtime against Oregon, a team vying for a national championship.
• Next, they lost unexpectedly to UCLA, a team that had not won prior to that matchup.
• Finally, they were defeated by Northwestern, historically one of the weaker teams in the Big Ten Conference.

These losses negated what had started as a promising season and made the continuation of Franklin’s tenure untenable.

Financial Fallout of Franklin’s Ouster

The buyout of Franklin’s contract is expected to cost Penn State approximately $45 million. This contract, which was extended in 2021 and was worth up to $85 million over ten years, was among the highest in college football. For context:

• Lincoln Riley signed a similar deal worth about $10 million annually with USC.
• Brian Kelly’s contract with LSU is valued at $95 million over ten years.

Penn State’s decision to terminate Franklin makes it the second school in history to pay a buyout of this magnitude, trailing only Texas A&M’s $76 million buyout of Jimbo Fisher.

The Broader Implications for College Football

This situation underscores the precarious balance between financial considerations and on-field success in college football. Athletic directors often prioritize football performance as it significantly impacts revenue generation for athletic departments.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many believed that financial strains could lead to smarter contract negotiations or shorter coaching agreements. However, such optimism has proven misplaced. Key takeaways from this incident include:

• The pressure to maintain competitive football programs leads schools to make substantial financial commitments.
• Coaches’ buyouts are becoming increasingly common, with many potentially exceeding $20 million.

Conclusion

Penn State’s firing of James Franklin serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics within college athletics. Schools often fear the repercussions of poor team performance more than they worry about the financial costs of executive contracts. This reality continues to shape the landscape of college football.