There are two sides to things now that James Franklin has officially been fired by Penn State football. Yes, on one side, you have countless people who could not be happier that Franklin is on his way out of town following the loss to Northwestern on Saturday.
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However, there are also countless people who are quite disappointed that things didn't end the way they were supposed to for Franklin running the show for the Nittany Lions. Penn State legend Trace McSorley seemed heartbroken by the news, posting on social media a message of support for Franklin not long after the breaking news came in:
I wouldn’t have wanted to play for anybody else in the world. Like you always say, it starts with I love you and always ends with I love you. Love you Coach! #WeAre
— Trace McSorley (@McSorley_IX) October 13, 2025
Romans 8:18 pic.twitter.com/6s9LLOUcVY
Penn State legend Trace McSorley hated seeing James Franklin get fired
Fans will never forget what McSorley was able to get done with the Nittany Lions under Franklin. His time on campus was highlighted by him throwing for nearly 10,000 yards with 77 touchdowns, while adding 30 more scores on the ground.
He helped power Penn State to a 2017 Fiesta Bowl win over the Washington Huskies and he also put together one of the best performances in program history in the 2016 Big Ten Championship Game. Wisconsin was dominating early on, but McSorley would not be denied.
In that thrilling comeback win, he tossed for 384 yards and four touchdowns. What he and Franklin were able to get done together was so much fun for the Nittany Lions faithful. Franklin brought McSorley back to campus this season to serve as an assistant quarterbacks coach.
Now, though, Franklin is out of a job and Penn State is on the hunt for a new leader of the program. Plenty of candidates have emerged as possibilities, of course including Matt Rhule, Curt Cignetti, Matt Campbell and plenty of others.
McSorley, Micah Parsons and other Penn State greats have voiced their support for Franklin, which isn't a surprise to anyone. Despite the three-game losing streak that cost him his job, Franklin will always be known for being a great coach to his players and McSorley's message for him was a big reminder of that.