Following Northwestern’s win over Penn State, there was a feeling in Beaver Stadium that James Franklin’s time as head coach was coming to an end.
That rang true as Penn State announced Franklin’s firing one day later. It marked the end of a 12-year era for the Nittany Lions, who experienced some highs and lows throughout Franklin’s tenure.
Here’s a look back at the Franklin era by the numbers.
$49 million
According to ESPN, Penn State is set to owe Franklin more than $49 million for the buyout of his contract. It’s the second-largest buyout in the history of college football, behind Texas A&M’s buyout of Jimbo Fisher for $76 million in 2023.
The buyout comes from the 10-year contract then-athletic director Sandy Barbour and Franklin agreed to in 2021, when the Nittany Lions were amid a 7-6 season. Now just four years into the deal, Franklin is out in Happy Valley.
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands after the Penn State Homecoming football game against Northwestern in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Wildcats beat the Nittany Lions 22-21.
Matt Cropp
104 wins
Kicker Sam Ficken lined up for a field goal late during Penn State’s game against UCF in 2014. Ficken knocked the kick through the uprights, giving Franklin his first win of his Penn State career.
The victory ended up becoming the first of 104 wins for Franklin, which ties him for second all time with Rip Engle. The last victory came about a month ago during the Nittany Lions’ matchup against Villanova.
Franklin accomplished six 10-plus win seasons with Penn State, with the first coming in 2016. His highest win total came last season with 13 victories en route to a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.
59 NFL draft picks
During his time in Happy Valley, Franklin helped produce 59 NFL draft picks.
Running back Saquon Barkley going second overall to the New York Giants in 2018 was the highest a Nittany Lion went in Franklin’s tenure. Defensive end Abdul Carter is close behind by getting drafted No. 3 overall in 2025 also to the Giants.
Had Franklin finished out this season, he would’ve had more players to add to this list. Drew Allar, Dani Dennis-Sutton and others returned for their senior season and are projected picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.
Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) preps for a snap during the Penn State Homecoming football game against Northwestern in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Wildcats beat the Nittany Lions 22-21.
Matt Cropp
21 losses to top-10 teams
Franklin’s performance against top-10 teams earned him the sarcastic nickname of “big game James” on social media. He went 4-21 versus those opponents during his time in Happy Valley.
A lot of those games came against Ohio State, which defeated Franklin 10 times. Michigan was also a common top-10 opponent, and the most recent loss to the Wolverines came in 2023.
Then-No. 6 Oregon defeating the Nittany Lions 30-24 on Sept. 27 proved to be Franklin’s last top-10 loss at Penn State. His last top-10 win was Boise State in the 2024 College Football Playoff.
5 3-plus game losing streaks
Penn State has been on five losing streaks of three games or more during Franklin’s tenure. Of course, this season includes one of them with the three losses to Oregon, UCLA and Northwestern.
Penn State had a four-game losing streak in 2014, and it also lost three in a row in 2015. Franklin and company had its worst start to a season in 2020 by losing five-straight matchups.
Head coach James Franklin hugs his daughter Addy Franklin after the Penn State Football game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Pasadena, Calif. The Bruins beat the Nittany Lions 42-37.
Samantha Oropeza
The Nittany Lions then had a three-game skid in 2021, which came to losses against Iowa, Illinois and Ohio State.
4 New Year’s Six bowl wins
Franklin won four New Year’s Six bowl games throughout seven appearances.
Penn State went 1-1 in the Rose Bowl with Franklin. He won in 2022 during quarterback Sean Clifford’s last collegiate game and lost in a thriller against USC in 2016.
The Nittany Lions had a pair of wins in the Fiesta Bowl with Franklin, coming in 2017 and 2024. Penn State was also undefeated in the Cotton Bowl, defeating Memphis in 2019 during its lone appearance in the Franklin era.
The two other New Year’s Six bowl games made by Franklin were the 2023 Peach Bowl against Ole Miss and the 2024 Orange Bowl versus Notre Dame, which was the semifinal of the College Football Playoff.
Quarterback Drew Allar (15) hugs head coach James Franklin after the College Football Playoff semifinal game between Penn State and Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Fighting Irish beat the Nittany Lions 27-24.
Sienna Pinney
3 Northwestern losses
Franklin lost to Northwestern three times in his career, and the Wildcats marked his first and last loss as Penn State’s coach.
The Nittany Lions began 2014 with a 4-0 record before welcoming Northwestern to Beaver Stadium in Week 5. Quarterback Trevor Siemian had three rushing touchdowns as the Wildcats won, 29-6.
This past weekend, Franklin lost 22-21 to Northwestern at home again, which ended up becoming his last game. The other loss to the Wildcats came in 2015, 23-21.
2 Big Ten championship appearances
Franklin reached the Big Ten championship game twice as Penn State’s coach.
The Nittany Lions ended the 2016 season on a winning streak, finishing first in the Big Ten East Division to make the conference title game. Penn State faced Wisconsin for the championship and came back from a 28-7 deficit to win 38-31.
Franklin’s squad also made the title game last season against Oregon. The Nittany Lions fell behind early but couldn’t complete a comeback before losing 45-37.
Penn State head coach James Franklin holds the Big Ten Conference Football Championship trophy at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. Penn State defeated Wisconsin 38-31.
Cameron Hart
1 block six
Marcus Allen jumped over the line of scrimmage against Ohio State in 2016, blocking a field goal before Grant Haley returned the loose ball for a touchdown. It’s possibly the highlight of the Franklin era as it’s one of the main reasons why the Nittany Lions managed their lone win versus the Buckeyes since 2014.
The upset win also propelled Franklin to his first 10-win season at Penn State. It was the team’s resurgence to the national stage.
Without the block six, Penn State’s recent history might look different. The Franklin era could’ve ended earlier, and the team would still not have a Big Ten championship since 2008.
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