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Penn State’s James Franklin Seen Having Such an Awkward Moment After Stunning Loss
Penn State's season hit a new low Saturday when the Nittany Lions lost at home to Northwestern, 22-21. It was their third straight loss, after falling to Oregon and then UCLA, and left many wondering if James Franklin's run as head coach could soon be coming to an end.
UPDATE: Penn State fired Franklin on Sunday.
Franklin's team, which was 22.5-point favorites going into their Homecoming game against Northwestern, is now 3-3 and in a state of freefall heading into next week's game at Iowa.
Moments after Saturday's loss, Franklin was seen having an awkward moment on the field as he just stood around saying nothing while a Rolling Stones song played over the loudspeakers.
This was quite a scene:
James Franklin motionless infront of a hostile crowd. Waits for his players to get off the field.
— Chase Fisher (@chase_fisher4) October 11, 2025
Possibly taking a final gaze at Beaver Stadium. A shocking loss to Northwestern. pic.twitter.com/NDCZ1vTR9U
Franklin has been the head coach at Penn State since 2014. Fans had lots of reactions to that viral video.
I feel like he’d do better running off the field immediately rather than stage these frozen in disbelief postgame poses. https://t.co/jnEcE00aEe
— Joel D. Anderson 🆓 (@byjoelanderson) October 12, 2025
This is what a lonely feeling looks like. https://t.co/QhkY1SDqMX
— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurtonOTF) October 12, 2025
James Franklin is the only guy I’ve ever seen aura farming after an embarassing loss https://t.co/p4fAdfrbqG
— EJ Stewart (@EJ_Stewart) October 12, 2025
Sure comes across as a guy who doesn't have any answers...for a guy who has had a LONG career and is paid to have answers.
— 3 Sports Guns (@3SportsGuns) October 12, 2025
And for the "grass isn't greener crowd" it's Penn State. Most competent coaches could go 10-2 with no big wins with how the program recruits. https://t.co/1EnjFig3iG
Grateful for getting us back to the national spotlight after the sanctions, but that’s it. I mean it just can’t go on anymore. https://t.co/kB8Gbbir9B
— BryanC9 (@Bryan_C9) October 12, 2025
Man of honor, we lost today, got embarrassed, bullied. But - why does he do this!? Fire him just for this. This guy is a joke! https://t.co/GOpJd8V007
— Casey (@CaseysHotCakes) October 12, 2025
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Andy Nesbitt is the assistant managing editor of audience engagement at Sports Illustrated. He works closely with the Breaking and Trending News team to shape SI’s daily coverage across all sports. A 20-year veteran of the sports media business, he has worked for Fox Sports, For the Win, The Boston Globe and NBC Sports, having joined SI in February 2023. Nesbitt is a golf fanatic who desperately wants to see the Super Bowl played on a Saturday night.