James Franklin's sudden departure from Penn State has left him in a state of disbelief, with the former head coach describing the experience as 'surreal' during an interview on ESPN's 'College GameDay'.
The shockwaves from Franklin's firing continue to reverberate, with the coach himself still processing the events that led to his departure. It all began with high hopes for a national championship, but a series of losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern saw the Nittany Lions' season unravel.
"I was in complete shock," Franklin recalled. "I had to break the news to my kids, ensuring they didn't find out online. Then, I had an incredibly emotional meeting with the team, telling them I was leaving. It happened so fast; I was in a state of shock the entire time."
Franklin's focus now is on the memories he made at Penn State and the well-being of the players he leaves behind. "The hardest part is walking away from those young men in the locker room, the recruits who committed to us, and having those tough conversations. It's about the people - the coaches, the staff, their families, and the kids. So many are affected by this decision, and that's what breaks my heart."
But here's where it gets controversial: Franklin's record against top teams was notoriously poor, with a 4-21 mark against top-10 opponents and an even worse 1-18 record against conference rivals in the top 10. Yet, he was known for winning the games he was expected to win. So, was his firing justified, or did Penn State rush to judgment?
And this is the part most people miss: Franklin's impact extended beyond the field. His two daughters grew up in the town, and his youngest, now a high school senior, had expected to attend Penn State. "The plans have changed," Franklin said, "and that's a heartbreak for our family."
For Penn State, Franklin's firing marked the end of a stunning 15-day stretch in college football history. The Nittany Lions' consecutive losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern saw them lose not only their head coach but also their starting quarterback, Drew Allar, who sustained a season-ending injury.
Legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban expressed his displeasure with Franklin's firing, suggesting it was an unfair decision given Franklin's success. "It's not up to you to decide what's fair or unfair," Saban said. "I'm going to answer it. It's unfair as hell for you to have achieved so much, and for those people not to show enough appreciation and gratitude for your hard work. I'm saying it's unfair."
As for Franklin's next steps, he expressed a desire to get back to coaching and helping young men. "I got into this business to make a difference, and I intend to continue doing that. We're just going to go win that national championship somewhere else now."
So, what do you think? Was Franklin's firing justified, or did Penn State make a hasty decision? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
