Penn State AD Pat Kraft on James Franklin's Firing
Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft stated that James Franklin's record in big games was a factor in the school's decision to part ways with the 12th-year head coach.
"I'm here to win a national championship," Kraft told reporters. "And I believe our fans deserve that."
The Nittany Lions had high expectations for 2025, starting the season with wins over Nevada, Florida International, and Villanova, but suffered a loss to Oregon in overtime, 30-24.
- Franklin's record against AP top-10 opponents: 4-21
- Record against top-10 Big Ten teams in conference matchups: 1-18
According to ESPN Research, Franklin's .160 winning percentage in these games is tied for the third-worst by a coach at a single school since the poll era began in 1936.
Author's summary: Penn State fires coach James Franklin due to poor record.