An illustration depicting the buzz around Penn State's coaching situation.
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Latest Updates on Penn State’s Coaching Search Hot Board 4.0

Sam Gupta
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James Franklin has been fired as the head football coach for Penn State after a disappointing 11.5 seasons. Athletics director Pat Kraft made the announcement following a surprising three-game losing streak that dashed hopes for another College Football Playoff run.

James Franklin Fired After 12 Seasons

Penn State fired head coach James Franklin on October 12, 2025, following a third consecutive loss that shocked the program. The losses came against UCLA, Oregon, and Northwestern, which derailed early season expectations after Penn State started 3-0 and was ranked No. 2 preseason nationally. Franklin finished with a 104-45 record at Penn State, including a semifinal appearance in last year’s College Football Playoff.[1][2][3]

Athletic Director Pat Kraft cited the need for a coach who can maximize the program’s high-end resources, recruit through the transfer portal, and develop players to compete for a national championship. Kraft acknowledged the difficult decision but emphasized the goal of elevating the program beyond Franklin’s achievements.[3]

Buyout and Interim Coach

Franklin is owed over $49 million in buyout money—the second-largest in college football history. Associate head coach Terry Smith was named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season. Smith and team leaders have expressed feeling responsible and are focused on moving forward amid the difficult transition.[2][5]

Coaching Search and Candidates

Penn State has begun a nationwide search. Top candidates include:

  • Matt Rhule: Former Baylor and NFL coach, alum of Penn State as a player and volunteer coach. He is currently head coach at Nebraska.[8]
  • Curt Cignetti: Indiana’s head coach with a strong record at multiple programs.[10]
  • Kalen DeBoer: Current Washington coach with a recent success turnaround.[article content]
  • Urban Meyer: High-profile coach with multiple national championships, known for rebuilding.

Additional rumored candidates include internal staff and others with both college and NFL experience. The search is expected to be thorough given the financial commitment and program expectations.[article content][8]

Historical Context and Expectations

Despite Franklin’s success in wins and playoff appearances, criticism centered on his inability to win a national title and repeated failures in “big games.” The decision to fire a successful coach is risky but reflects Penn State’s ambition to compete at the very top level. Past cases of firing winning coaches show mixed results, and the successor faces high expectations and pressure.[4]

Fan and Community Impact

The firing shocked the Penn State fan base and campus atmosphere due to the buyout size and Franklin’s tenure. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Franklin’s next coaching opportunities, possibly with SEC programs. Fans are advised to follow the Lions247 Coaching Hot Board for continued updates and expert analysis during the transition.[7][8]

Sam Gupta

Sam Gupta

Investigative Reporter

Sports News

Sam Gupta is a senior investigative journalist with nearly a decade of experience specializing in economic and political investigations. His work focuses on uncovering the dynamics of government policies, corporate accountability, and the intersection of politics and finance in developing economies. He holds a B.S. in International Relations from Columbia University (2016), where he concentrated on global governance, economics, and investigative reporting. Sam has built a reputation as a trusted voice on government and corporate affairs, contributing to major international outlets and independent newsrooms. His reporting often highlights issues of transparency, corruption, and the influence of financial institutions on public policy. Currently based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, he writes for Faharas NET, where he continues to investigate political and economic developments shaping South Asia and beyond. His analytical, fact-driven style combines data analysis with on-the-ground perspectives to present readers with balanced, evidence-based journalism.

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Elena Voren

Elena Voren

Senior Editor

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Updates
Kamar Mahmoud

Kamar Mahmoud

Fact-Checking

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Kamar Mahmoud serves as the Managing Editor of the English Division at Faharas website, where she plays a pivotal role in maintaining the site's editorial excellence. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, Kamar oversees the entire content lifecycle from writer assignments through to final publication. Her responsibilities include managing editorial workflows, providing guidance to writers, and ensuring that every article published meets Faharas website's rigorous standards of quality, accuracy, and clarity. Through her leadership, she helps maintain the site's reputation for delivering reliable and well-crafted content to its readership.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Kamar Mahmoud
  1. Specify firing date and season record at dismissal
  2. Highlight coaching buyout amount and contractual clauses
  3. Identify interim coach and team’s response
  4. Update coaching candidate list with recent moves
  5. Explain Penn State’s high championship expectations
  6. Contextualize program history and decision rationale
  7. Provide broader college football coaching context
  8. Avoid promotional language, focus on facts
  9. Use subheadings to organize information clearly
  10. Include research references for credibility
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Kamar Mahmoud
  1. Added precise firing date of James Franklin
  2. Included Franklin’s overall record and legacy details
  3. Explained buyout and financial impact explicitly
  4. Named Terry Smith as interim coach with context
  5. Introduced detailed candidate list with updated statuses
  6. Added industry context about coaching carousel and expectations
  7. Clarified criticism of Franklin’s big-game failures
  8. Removed promotional subscription content
  9. Structured content with clear headings for readability
  10. Integrated multiple trusted sources for accuracy
  11. Shortened paragraphs for conciseness and clarity

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Table of Contents

James Franklin Fired After 12 SeasonsBuyout and Interim CoachCoaching Search and CandidatesHistorical Context and ExpectationsFan and Community Impact