James Franklin Speaks on $9M Penn State Firing

The former Nittany Lions coach details his job hunt after being let go from Penn State.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a college football coach on the sideline, with sharp planes of navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange overlapping to create a sense of motion and intensity.The frenzied world of college football coaching, where even successful tenures can end abruptly, is captured in a fractured, cubist-inspired illustration.Penn State Erie Today

Virginia Tech coach James Franklin spoke about his Penn State firing and the frenzied job market that led to his new ACC job. Franklin was one of the most coveted coaches on the market as teams dealt with heavy head coach turnover, and the Nittany Lions negotiated a reduced $9 million settlement with their former coach instead of the reported $49 million buyout.

Why it matters

Franklin's firing from Penn State after 11 and a half seasons was a surprise, as the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll and expected to contend for the Big Ten championship and national title before a late-season slump. His comments provide insight into the high-stakes world of college football coaching contracts and the challenges of navigating the job market after being let go.

The details

Franklin was fired after a stunning loss to the Northwestern Wildcats completed a three-game slide that almost certainly dropped the Nittany Lions out of College Football Playoff contention. He was one of the dominoes to fall during the intense coaching carousel that gripped college football last season. Franklin spoke about approaching the college football job market after being fired, saying it was a 'very different process' compared to when his agent had handled job offers in the past. Virginia Tech was the first school to fly in and offer him the job, though Franklin thought they were just coming for an initial conversation.

  • Franklin was fired after 11 and a half seasons at Penn State.
  • The fateful loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl came after the 2024 season.
  • Franklin was hired by the Virginia Tech Hokies ahead of the 2026 season.

The players

James Franklin

The former head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, who was fired after the 2025 season and later hired by the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Drew Allar

The Penn State quarterback who returned to the team ahead of the 2025 season, which was expected to be a national title contender before Franklin's firing.

Jim Knowles

The defensive coordinator Franklin hired from the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the country.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'd never been fired before, so in the past, we'd turned down a bunch of jobs at Vanderbilt and at Penn State. But you're never really involved because your agent's handling this. But now you're out of work, there's no, 'Talk to my agent, I'm not dealing with this.' It was a very different process.”

— James Franklin, Head Coach, Virginia Tech Hokies

“Virginia Tech was the first school to fly in. The problem was, I thought they were flying in for a first conversation, they were ready for me to say yes that night. 70% of the stuff that was out there, was not accurate. It's kind of how the business is now. But, things worked out the way they were supposed to.”

— James Franklin, Head Coach, Virginia Tech Hokies

What’s next

Franklin will look to lead the Virginia Tech Hokies to success in the ACC after his high-profile firing from Penn State.

The takeaway

Franklin's comments provide a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of college football coaching contracts and the challenges of navigating the job market after being let go, even for a successful coach like himself. His firing from Penn State despite high preseason expectations highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny faced by top college football coaches.