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James Franklin's contract and buyout sends clear message on Penn State future

James Franklin's massive contract and buyout means the Penn State head coach is not going anywhere anytime soon. Find out the latest on Franklin's financial deal.
Jonathan Adams|
Sep 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin watches the replay of the final play of the game following the end of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin watches the replay of the final play of the game following the end of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

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Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State has hit a bit of snag since beginning the season undefeated, prompting some fans to wonder about James Franklin's future. Despite Franklin's struggles in marquee games, the Penn State head coach does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon, even after the Nittany Lions' loss to UCLA.

Franklin signed a sizable 10-year, $85 million contract in 2021 that is slated to go through the 2031 season. Fans frustrated with Franklin should be aware that the coach has one of the largest buyouts in college football.

Heading into the season, Franklin had a $56 million buyout, per 247Sports. There is no indication Penn State has any desire to move on from Franklin, but the coach's financial details make this idea an impossibility, even if the program wanted to make a change.

Penn State is 4-21 vs. top-10 opponents under James Franklin

There is another number that has fans concerned: 4-21. That is Penn State's record against top-10 opponents during Franklin's tenure.

Penn State nearly defeated Oregon in Week 5 before the Ducks pulled the game out in overtime. The Nittany Lions followed up this outing with a shocking loss to UCLA, a team being led by interim head coach Tim Skipper. To Franklin's credit, the Penn State coach took blame for the Nittany Lions' poor record in big games.

"I get that narrative, and it's really not a narrative -- it's factual. It's the facts," Franklin said following Penn State's loss to Oregon, per ESPN. "I try to look at the entire picture and what we've been able to do here.

"But at the end of the day, we got to find a way to win those games. I totally get it. And I take ownership. I take responsibility."

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Jonathan Adams
JONATHAN ADAMS

Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports writer who has written for notable outlets and interviewed some of the top athletes for more than 10 years. Since 2015, his sports coverage has been read by tens of millions and has been prominently featured on Heavy, NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and more. Jonathan is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and a voter for the Maxwell Award and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year. He has interviewed many of the biggest stars in sports — Bryce Harper, Jayden Daniels, Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson and Micah Parsons to name a few — and has traveled the country to cover the College Football Playoff, NFL draft, Masters, March Madness, Senior Bowl, McDonald’s All-American Game and beyond. Jonathan Adams studied at the University of Central Florida and The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. He holds master degrees in sport business management, business administration and theology & culture.

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