Penn State coach James Franklin is among the best college football has had in this Millennium per at least one prominent analyst.
Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated listed Franklin among the 25 best head coaches since 2000.
Franklin slides in at No. 19, just behind Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Brian Kelly (LSU) and Kyle Whittingham (Utah).
Franklin’s also just ahead of Steve Spurrier (Florida/South Carolina), Les Miles (Oklahoma State/LSU) and Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia).
In what should be a surprise to nobody, Nick Saban tops the list, with Urban Meyer and Dabo Swinney following behind.
Love Franklin or hate him— and there are plenty of Penn State fans who fall into each camp— it’s hard to argue what Franklin doesn’t belong on this list.
WHAT FORDE WROTE
Head Coach James Franklin looks on.
Here’s what Forde wrote about why he put Franklin on they list.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“First he did the impossible, winning nine games two years in a row at Vandy—the only time that’s happened in school history, and the best stretch for the Commodores since the 1920s. Then, he performed the probable (but still considerable) task of returning Penn State to national contender status after massive scandal. Five of his 11 seasons in State College have ended in the Top 10, including last year’s No. 5 ranking and CFP semifinal appearance. What remains on Franklin’s to-do list: winning the biggest games (most notably Ohio State) and winning a national title. He might have a team capable of both this year.”
FRANKLIN’S BEST CHANCE
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
As Forde mentioned, there’s a lot of things Franklin has done over the course of his career but one thing he hasn’t done is win a national title.
For many, this season’s team is Franklin’s best shot so far.
With players such as Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen coming back on offense and Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant and Zakee Wheatley back on defense, not only does Penn State have a shot to win the national title, many feel the season will be a failure if it doesn’t.
Penn State opens the season against Nevada Aug. 30 at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
