Drew Allar reacts to James Franklin's firing with single emoji in Instagram post

What was supposed to be a great season for both quarterback and head coach has ended in disaster.

Oct. 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) is is congratulated by head coach James Franklin after defeating the USC Trojans in overtime at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

It's easy to be callous about big-time college football firings with so much money guaranteed.

For Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin, who finally got dismissed today after three straight crushing defeats, that number is a staggering $56.66 million.

RELATED: Penn State's James Franklin shares emotional hug with daughters in last game

Oct. 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) is is congratulated by head coach James Franklin after defeating the USC Trojans in overtime at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

His star quarterback Drew Allar, who was supposed to help lead Penn State to the national championship with Franklin after getting agonizingly close last season, also had his season end in disaster after suffering a season-ending injury in the embarrassing home defeat to Northwestern at Beaver Stadium.

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Drew Allar injury. Stayed down before limping slowly off the field with trainers. pic.twitter.com/FVmeJZBXgl

— Im not a fan of your favorite team (@fsh733) October 11, 2025

Allar, 21, reacted to the news of Franklin's firing with a single emoji and a heartwarming picture of the two of them in better times together.

Allar used the fingers crossed emoji, presumably to emote that he hopes it all goes well for Franklin, 53, in his future endeavors.

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Drew Allar reacts to James Franklin's firing with a single emoji. | Drew Allar/Instagram

It must have been an especially crushing blow for Franklin, who grew up in Pennsylvania, where the dream was always to coach Penn State. Now that dream has died.

Luckily he can contemplate his next move with that $56.66 million cushion.

Penn State head coach James Franklin greets freshman quarterback Drew Allar during pre-game warmups at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Allar's college career is over, and now it's time to see if he can impress NFL scouts in a loaded quarterback draft class for 2026.

Fingers crossed!

Oct. 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to throw a pass during a warmup prior to the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

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