Todd McShay kicks James Franklin when he's down with harsh comment

Football analyst Todd McShay is not a fan of former Penn State head coach James Franklin, and he made that well known on Wednesday. On Dan Dakich's "Don't @ Me!" podcast, McShay laid into Franklin, saying he was a selfish leader.

Penn State fires James Franklin in stunning move that needed to happen

"I'm thrilled Penn State made the decision it did. Image, selfishness, agenda: eventually that kind of leadership rears its ugly head," McShay said. "I think James Franklin got away with it for entirely too long . . . unfortunately with some coaches, it's all about them."

Todd McShay tears into James Franklin, says he got away with being a selfish leader for far too long

This isn't the first time McShay had a comment about Franklin. After losing to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Semifinal Game, he said he didn't trust James Franklin and that it had nothing to do with personal vendettas. Rather, McShay implied that from a business perspective, Franklin was not the guy. Nearly nine months later, it turns out McShay was right.

A heated comment like the one made Wednesday is not shared by others in the Lasch Building.

Players spoke out following Franklin's firing, offering support and gratitude for everything he's done for the program and them as individuals.

"Probably appreciative of 12 years of loyalty and service to this institution. Brought Penn State out of a living hell. Brought in guys to represent Penn State and still honor the tradition in culture and the standard that's been set from years before," center Nick Dawkins said when asked about what he wants people to remember about Franklin. ". . . The fighter's spirit. Toughness, grit. All of the flack and criticism and boos and chants in the face of adversity . . . Remained stone cold for his players, for the university, and that's the mark of what a real man is.

"In the eyes of all that is bad, in the eyes of all that is negative against you, standing tall for those that are standing with and those that are standing behind you. That's what he is. He exemplified a true leader and a real man in this day and age."

Other Nittany Lions thanked Franklin via social media for his faith in them and his commitment to the team.

Associate head coach and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith took over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Smith is also committed to the locker room and is determined to restore the energy in there to hopefully turn the 2025 season around in any way possible.