Penn State Fires James Franklin: AD Pat Kraft Explains Decision Amid Disappointing Start

Pat Kraft, Penn State’s athletic director, made one of the most difficult decisions of his career on Sunday, announcing the firing of head football coach James Franklin after a turbulent start to the 2025 season. The decision comes just nine months after the Nittany Lions were one win shy of the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

“This is not a three-game thing,” Kraft said at a press conference Monday in Beaver Stadium. “This is really diving into where we were as a program and what is the trajectory of this program. And you all know, I’m not shy to admit it, I’m here to win national championships. I believe our fans deserve that and I wake up every day trying to achieve that goal.”

A Painful End to a Tenure

Franklin’s dismissal follows a three-game losing streak, which included two defeats to unheralded opponents, leaving the team reeling. Once a program ranked second nationally at the start of the season, the Nittany Lions’ recent performances spurred scrutiny from fans and the media.

On Saturday, Franklin took his final walk toward the locker room after a sloppy 22-21 loss to Northwestern, greeted by jeers and harsh words from frustrated supporters. It was a stark contrast to the highs of the previous season when the team flirted with a national title.

Kraft, visibly emotional during the press conference, acknowledged the difficulty of letting go of a coach who had spent 11-plus seasons at the helm of Penn State football.

“This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career,” Kraft said. “It’s about the program, the trajectory, and where we need to go. Coach Franklin is a man of character and effort, but ultimately, results are what matter at this level.”

Looking at the Numbers

During Franklin’s tenure, Penn State experienced both highs and lows. While the Nittany Lions consistently competed at a high level, they fell short of delivering the national championships Kraft and the fan base envisioned. Last season’s near-miss in the College Football Playoff served as a reminder of the program’s potential but also heightened expectations for the 2025 campaign.

The current three-game losing streak, including defeats in which the team struggled against less-heralded programs, prompted Kraft to make a decisive move rather than risk further decline.

Kraft’s Vision for the Future

Pat Kraft has repeatedly emphasized that winning national championships is the ultimate goal for Penn State football. He framed the decision to part ways with Franklin as a necessary step to redirect the program toward that objective.

“This decision isn’t about one game or even one season,” Kraft said. “It’s about positioning Penn State to achieve sustained success at the highest level.”

He made it clear that the choice was based solely on the trajectory of the program, not on Franklin’s character, effort, or work ethic.

Next Steps for the Nittany Lions

Penn State now faces the challenge of finding a new head coach capable of restoring momentum and meeting the high expectations of fans and alumni alike. The university has not yet announced interim coaching plans or a timeline for hiring a permanent replacement.

While the decision has drawn mixed reactions from supporters, Kraft emphasized that the program’s long-term success must come first.

“We owe it to our fans, our student-athletes, and this university to compete for national championships every season,” Kraft said. “That’s what drives me, and that’s what drives this program.”

Fan and Media Reaction

The firing has sparked discussion across social media and sports networks, with many acknowledging Franklin’s contributions to the program while debating the timing and necessity of the decision. Analysts note that while Franklin elevated Penn State football over the past decade, college football is ultimately a results-driven business, and a three-game skid at a critical point in the season can have significant ramifications.

A Program in Transition

As the Nittany Lions prepare to face the remainder of their 2025 schedule, the spotlight now shifts to the search for a new leader. The next head coach will inherit a talented roster and a passionate fan base but will face immense pressure to compete at the highest national level.

Kraft’s message was clear: Penn State football is aiming for nothing less than a national championship, and the decisions made today are about securing that future.

“This is about Penn State, not any individual,” Kraft concluded. “The future of this program is bigger than one person, and we must make the decisions that put us on the path to winning at the highest level.”