Let me kick this off right off the bat – James Franklin isnโt leaving Penn State anytime soon.
The 53-year-old still has ample opportunity to enhance his current legacy.
Athlon Sports recently ran an annual article where they have conversations with various Big Ten coaches that candid remarks about teams in the conference.
โThis is the best roster in Franklinโs time there, and theyโre probably a favorite to win the league entering the season,โ an anonymous Big Ten coach said.ย
As coaches began to shower Penn State with compliments ranging from having a potential 2026 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick in quarterback Drew Allar, the top running back duo in the nation with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, a top EDGE rusher in Dani Dennis-Sutton and the aggressive nature Penn State administration which retained offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki – who was a top candidate for a few Power 4 jobs, as well as landing defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, regarded by many as the nationโs top defensive coordinator.
An anonymous coach delivered a subtle jab that has many truths to it, but also invokes many discussion points.
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: James Franklin
โThis is the season James Franklinโs entire coaching career could be judged by,” one anonymous coach said. “If they canโt change their big-game problems with this group, itโs not happening.โ
Talking points since Athlonโs release invoke discussion on Franklin’s legacy now and what it could be beyond this season.
Franklin has a well-documented track record ย of big game failures. Heโs currently 1-15 against AP Top 5 teams. There are many perspectives one could take from Franklinโs poor record against the elite, but one I would like to point out is Joe Paterno was 4-12 in his first 16 games against AP the top five teams, not that much better than Franklin.ย
A big reason for this is that Ohio State owns Franklin.
ย Ohio State has won 10 of 11 matchups in the Franklin era.ย
For many, it’s hard to comprehend how any elite coach can have this much failure. But Franklin isnโt the only one.ย
A prime example is Hall of Fame Nebraska coach Tom Osborneโs failures against Oklahoma. Osborne started 1-8 against Barry Switzerโs Oklahoma Sooners. Overall, Osborne was 5-12 against Switzerโs Sooners. It does happen.
It is easy to poke at Franklinโs faults, but letโs examine his strengths.
Right now, unless Franklin goes on an uncharacteristic losing binge, James Franklin is a Hall of Fame head coach.ย
Franklin has all the prerequisites checked to be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame.ย
Franklin has won nearly 69% of his games, has coached his teams in five of the six New Yearโs Six Bowls, led Penn State to two Big Ten Championship Game berths, and has won over 100 games at Penn State.ย
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Penn State head coach James Franklin interacts with his team after the victory during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal playoff game against the Boise State Broncos on Tuesday December 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire)
During Franklinโs time at Vanderbiltย is the only coach in the AP Poll era (post 1936) to guide Vanderbilt to finish the season ranked and have consecutive nine or more win seasons (Dan McGugin led Vanderbilt to nine wins in 1904 and 1915).
Despite the achievements Franklin has accomplishments, at some point he has to excel when it matters the most.
Osborne figured it out and in his final five seasons went 60-3, went to four national championship games winning three of those.
I wrote a column last year about a Franklin comparison to if he cannot figure out the big games, that comparison is with Mark Richt.
Richt has been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023, he won nearly 73% won multiple SEC Championships at Georgia and resurrected Miami prior to his health issues forcing an early retirement.ย
What comes to mind first when you think of Richt? For many he never won enough of the big games that mattered most to Georgia fans.
Georgia averaged nearly 10 wins per season under Richt, Richt reversed the fortunes of two key rivalries with Auburn and Georgia Tech. What Richt is ultimately remembered for, right or wrong, was big game failures and his inability to beat Florida.ย
Richt was 14-23 in his final eight seasons against ranked opponents including going 5-12 against Top 10 opponents.
The frustrations only mounted when Georgia fans saw their rivals Alabama, LSU, Auburn, and Florida all win national championships as Georgia remained consistent on the edge of being elite.
Think about the knocks against Franklin, poor record against Top 10 foes, cannot beat Ohio State, and have watched former division foes Ohio State and Michigan both win national championships in consecutive seasons – the story sounds eerily familiar.
Fair or not, the anonymous coach is right about Franklin and the heightened expectations for 2025.ย
To me, 90% of Franklinโs legacy is written. He is a Hall of Fame coach who took two rough jobs and transformed the programs back into consistent winners.ย
There is no shame for that be your legacy, but it is that final 10% that drives Franklin. There is no doubt Franklin wants to add national champion as a line in his legacy because it is the ultimate in his profession and for his legacy.ย
