James Franklin fired after 12 seasons: Who could replace him at Penn State?

Penn State has dismissed head coach James Franklin after 12 seasons, the university announced Sunday, October 12. According to his contract, Franklin is owed more than $49 million, making it the second-largest buyout in college football history, behind only Jimbo Fisher’s $76 million payout from Texas A&M.

Associate head coach Terry Smith will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, the school announced. The decision comes less than a year after Penn State’s appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals. However, the program’s recent collapse proved costly. Two weeks ago, the Nittany Lions suffered a stunning loss to previously winless UCLA, which hadn’t held a lead all season.

The slide continued at home, where “Fire Franklin!” chants echoed through Beaver Stadium as Penn State dropped its second consecutive home game, and third overall, in a 22-21 defeat to Northwestern. With Franklin’s departure, attention now turns to who could lead the next chapter of Penn State football. Here are some of the top candidates picked by ESPN in the mix to replace him:

Top candidates to replace James Franklin at Penn State

Curt Cignetti (Indiana):

Johnny McGonigal of PennLive suggested that Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti should replace Franklin. Cignetti has engineered a stunning turnaround at Indiana, matching Franklin in CFP trips and scoring a signature win over Oregon. At 64, he’s a proven winner who could thrive with Penn State’s resources.

Matt Rhule (Nebraska):

A former Penn State walk-on and close friend of AD Patrick Kraft, Rhule has revived Nebraska and previously won big at Temple and Baylor. His alma mater’s pull could be strong, though he’s happy in Lincoln.

Matt Campbell (Iowa State):

Long linked to major openings, Campbell has built Iowa State into a Big 12 contender. His offensive pedigree and regional ties make him a natural fit if he’s ready for the next step.