It has been six days since James Franklin was fired from Penn State, and there has been a lot of speculation about what happened, what Franklin is going to do, but more importantly, what Penn State is going to do. Six days after being fired, Franklin made the trip to Athens, Georgia, to the set oc College GameDay and gave the crew an exclusive interview, one that everyone was watching.
Franklin was able to give more insight into what happened when he was fired and what life has been like for the last six days. Franklin certainly has a great PR team, as his responses certainly seemed like the picture-perfect answers of taking care of his family and getting himself ready for the next opportunity.
When asked how Franklin felt about all of this, obviously, he is saddened by it all as he spent 12 years of his life with the Nittany Lions, but he feels ready for his next opportunity. Franklin had one goal at Penn State and that was to win a National Championship, which he thought he truly could this season, but now he has made a promise that could fill Penn State with a lot of regret.
"I thought we were going to win a national championship there," Franklin said. "That goal hasn’t changed. We’re now going to win a national championship somewhere else."
NEW: James Franklin on chasing a National Championship at Penn State:
— On3 (@On3sports) October 18, 2025
"I thought we were going to win a national championship there. That goal hasn’t changed. We’re now going to win a national championship somewhere else." pic.twitter.com/UKZIuan0uF
It would surprise everyone if Franklin were not on a field coaching next season, as he will most likely be one of the top candidates for any head coach opening. The long-time coach certainly isn't a bum who just can't win games. Franklin helped turn Penn State back into the powerhouse program they have always been, but he certainly hit a rough patch this season.
In today's world of college football, the margin for error is so slim, and Franklin reached the end of his rope with the Nittany Lions. Now, he seems more determined than ever to go out and win a National Championship.
It is clear that Franklin desperately wanted to do that with Penn State, but now he won't get that opportunity, and he plans on doing it somewhere else, which could fill Penn State with a lot of regret down the road.