Penn State coach James Franklin went viral this past weekend but not for beating Ohio State.
Rather, it was for a clip of him exchanging words with a heckler after falling to 1-10 against the Buckeyes.
James Franklin responded to heckling Penn State fans after the loss to Ohio State: “If you’re gonna be man enough to talk, what’s your name?” pic.twitter.com/kILxOn8UqU
— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) November 2, 2024
Two days later, Franklin was asked about the exchange during his weekly press conference.
Does he regret it?
No.
“The interaction, yeah. I’m really good with it,” Franklin said. “Someone screaming at me and my daughter with in a couple feet as we’re walking off the field, and I’m good with that. That comes with the territory. I asked the young man what his name was. To me, it’s like posting something. If you’re going to post something, post it with a picture, your name and own what you post. If you’re going to say something, own it. I just asked the gentleman what his name was. He started stuttering, backed up, and he didn’t say his name. So critiques and opinions vary and that’s part of the territory. I get it. I just asked the young man what his name was.”
THE JOUST
Penn State fans don’t see their team lose in person often, so when it happens, things get ugly. Last season, fans threw things on the field when the team lost to Michigan. This season, fans did the same and booed Franklin once again. One fan, in particular, was close enough to Franklin to get the coach’s attention.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Although it’s hard to make out from the video, recorded by Seth Engle of State College.com, the fan appeared to point out that Penn State drove to the Ohio State red zone three times and came away with a total of three points.
Franklin responded.
“What’s your name,” he asked. “What’s your name? If you’re gonna be man enough to talk, what’s your name?”
The fan then walked away, and Franklin walked into the tunnel where he received a less-than-warm reception.
NOT THE FIRST TIME
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin November 12, 2022 David Hague/NSN
Saturday’s incident wasn’t the first time Franklin exchanged words with a Penn State fan. After a different Ohio State loss in 2018, a fan close enough for Franklin to hear told him that he should have passed the ball on a 4th and 5 that ended up deciding the game.
“I appreciate your input,” Franklin said sarcastically.
Franklin and Penn State now must focus on Washington, which it plays Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 on Peacock.
