In his postgame press conference, James Franklin was asked if he still wants to coach Penn State.
It’s a question that would have been absolutely wild to ponder even two weeks ago, but makes absolute sense now.
That’s what losses to UCLA and Northwestern do to a program that came into the season ranked No. 2 and a realistic bet to win the national championship.
Franklin was asked point blank after the game if he still wants to be Penn State’s football coach.
He was then asked a follow up question following the same line.
Here’s how he answered.
WHAT JAMES SAID
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
“Yeah, for me, it’s always been about our players, and those guys are hurting right now. And the fans are frustrated, and I totally get it. We have great fans here. We get unbelievable support. I understand their frustration. Trust me. We’re as frustrated as anybody, the guys in the locker room. But to me, ultimately, it’s about the guys. It’s about the guys in the locker room, and they’re hurting in there, and I’d do anything I could to take that hurt away from them. But like I told them, we got to stick together. We got to tune out all the noise, and we got to get to work.
“That’s the only answer— is get to work. We’ve had some adversity in the past, not like this, and we’re going to get to work. I love those kids. I am committed to those players in that locker room, and I’ve been that way for 12 years. I’ve been that way for 15 years of my head coaching career, and I’ve been that way for 30 years. That won’t change. It’s always been about the players for me; that won’t ever change. That’s what it’s all about for me. So, my commitment is to the guys in that locker room and all the guys that have been in that locker room in the past. So that’s where my commitment is.”
THE FOLLOW UP
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
Franklin’s follow-up question was whether or not he thinks being at Penn State is the best thing for his career.
“Yeah, again, I take full responsibility for what happened tonight,” he said. “I take full responsibility for what’s happened this season, and I’m committed to the guys in that locker room.”
With or without James Franklin, Penn State will take on Iowa at Kinncik Stadium Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 on Peacock.
