Heading into the 2025 season, expectations were set very high for coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions. Many said this was the best roster Franklin has had in his tenure at Penn State. Unfortunately, although still very early in the season, Franklin has not delivered.

On January 11th, 2014, James Franklin signed a contract to become the next head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. His signing was very anticipated as it felt like a new era of football was upon the Happy Valley.

In the midst of his 12th season with Penn State, Franklin has built quite the reputation for himself, but maybe not the best one. When someone mentions Franklin, he is thought of as the coach who can’t win big games.

Over those 12 seasons Franklin has a 13-36 record vs AP Top-25 teams, 4-21 record vs AP Top-10 teams, and a whopping 1-18 record vs AP Top-5 teams.

Those records are pretty self explanatory, Franklin straight up sucks in the big moments. When the lights are bright, he doesn’t shine.

This year, Franklin has carried on the reputation, but taken it to a new level. In a season where the Nittany Lions were preseason #2 in the AP Poll, he has done anything but impress.

Franklin and his athletic directors set up a very easy non-conference schedule for this season, which did anything but prepare the team for the big games. They played Nevada, FIU, and Villanova. Penn State took care of business as expected.

Coming off a bye week the Nittany Lions has a very high anticipated matchup against the #6 team in the country, the Oregon Ducks. Going into the game, Penn State were 3.5 point favorites in their infamous whiteout matchup.

After falling behind by multiple scores, Franklin and the Nittany Lions stormed back tying the game, and sending it to overtime. In overtime, Franklin was once again outcoached and the Nittany Lions lost a big game once again.

After yet another devastating loss, Franklin looked to bounce back the next week with probably the easiest matchup on the schedule this season. Penn State traveled out west to take on the 0-4 UCLA Bruins.

After UCLA’s horrid start, the Bruins decided to go with a mid season reset, firing almost their entire coaching staff. They promoted a new Offensive Coordinator who didn’t even know how to use a headset on the sidelines.

Penn State entered the game as 24.5 point favorites, but somehow found themselves down 23 at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Franklin was getting outcoached by an entirely brand new staff.

After this terrible loss, Franklin’s reputation went from not being able to win the games, to maybe just not being able to win. With the annoyance and hatred growing rapidly against coach Franklin, is it time for the Nittany Lions to find a new coach?