The James Franklin era at Penn State is over.

The school fired Franklin as its head football coach on Sunday, according to multiple reports, after another disastrous loss on Saturday at home against Northwestern, the team’s third straight defeat.

Franklin, 53, is owed more than $49 million, according to ESPN.

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<figcaption>Penn State has fired head coach James Franklin. <span class="credit">Getty Images</span></figcaption>

The Nittany Lions entered the season as the preseason No. 2 team in the country, but after a 3-0 start they lost at home in double overtime to Oregon before a shocking road loss against a previously winless UCLA team.

Making matters worse, quarterback Drew Allar <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/10/11/sports/drew-allar-out-for-rest-of-year-as-penn-states-nightmare-season-gets-even-worse/">suffered a season-ending leg injury</a> in Saturday’s loss to Northwestern.

Franklin was in his 12th season at Penn State and led them to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, losing to Notre Dame.

The James Franklin era at Penn State is over.{ai:summary}<p>Penn State fired James Franklin after a home loss to Northwestern, the third straight defeat. </p><p>The Nittany Lions opened 3-0, then lost to Oregon and UCLA. Drew Allar suffered a season-ending leg injury. #sports</p>

Penn State fires James Franklin as season spirals in $49 million disaster

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