5 dream coaching candidates to replace James Franklin if he’s fired
By Josh Yourish
![Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin watches during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin watches during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/66f420f97812e5c63fda92d475e4a665b5526f3a2a3f89c93d658678e25e75bb.jpg)
This year, James Franklin was finally supposed to have his quarterback, he was finally supposed to have a Penn State football team that could compete with Ohio State and Michigan, but in Week 7, it was the same old story.
Penn State didn’t have the talent to compete with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Ohio State and lost 20-12, Franklin’s ninth loss to the Buckeyes in 10 tries.
Franklin is signed to a 10-year contract that runs through 2031, but Penn State fans are tired of watching him bump his head on the ceiling in the Big 10 and never break through. If the Nittany Lions lose to Michigan in Week 11, which looks pretty likely, Franklin’s seat could start to get hot.
Franklin won’t be fired this year, but he may not finish out his 10-year deal either. So, here are the five head coach candidates that Penn State fans should start daydreaming about.
These are the five guys that could actually elevate the Nittany Lions into the top tier of the Big 10 with Ohio State and Michigan.