Rumors are swirling in the college football world that the Florida Gators could part ways with head coach Billy Napier, opening the door for a high-profile hire in Gainesville. One name that’s bound to emerge in speculation as Florida’s next head coach is Penn State’s James Franklin.
In college football circles, the conversation surrounding Franklin is often polarizing.
Detractors across the country, and even large factions throughout Happy Valley, are quick to label Franklin as “overrated” and overpaid, citing his struggles in winning “the big game” and his subpar record against Top 10 opponents.
The murmurs grow louder after each tough loss: Is it time for a change?
But before Penn State fans rush to call for a new leader, it’s important to ask: What would actually happen if the Nittany Lions moved on from Franklin, or more realistically, if Franklin moved on to a program like the Gators?
James Franklin, Penn State, and the Business of College Football
College football is a business—a billion-dollar enterprise where decisions go far beyond wins and losses. Would Penn State truly benefit from disrupting its entire program, essentially starting over, just for the possibility of one more victory each season? And what about the ripple effects on recruiting, team culture, and long-term stability?
The question isn’t just about finding a replacement. It’s about finding someone better—someone guaranteed to elevate the program beyond what Franklin has built.
And in today’s college football landscape, those guarantees don’t exist.
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Losing James Franklin Likely a Losing Gamble
Coaching changes happen across the sport every year, but how often do they yield the desired results? More often than not, teams either maintain the same level of success or, in many cases, get worse. The examples are plentiful.
In Franklin’s 10 years at Penn State, he’s delivered five seasons with double-digit wins and captured a Big Ten title. Meanwhile, programs like Tennessee, Nebraska, and Miami have cycled through a combined 15 head coaches over the same period, resulting in just two double-digit win seasons and zero conference championships.
Penn State’s consistency under Franklin—a winning program paired with a strong recruiting pipeline and a clean record—should not be taken for granted.
Perspective
The pursuit of perfection is alluring but often comes at a cost.
If the program eventually acquiesces to fans calls for firing Franklin, or he moves on to the next job at some point in the future, chasing a marquee hire could easily backfire, leaving the program worse off than it is now.
Going 10-2 with a new head coach might not look so appealing if it comes at the expense of the stability Penn State currently enjoys.
In a sport where very few things are guaranteed, Franklin’s track record offers something that’s become rare: sustained success. For a program of Penn State’s stature, that might be worth more than the gamble of chasing one more win.
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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