It’s finally happening! James Franklin, who was let go just this past Sunday, is ready to appear in public for the first time.
This famous Penn State coach will sit down for an exclusive chat on ESPN’s College GameDay this Saturday morning at 9 a.m. You can catch it live from Athens, Georgia, where they’re gearing up for the Georgia-Ole Miss matchup.
After a tough season and three consecutive losses, athletic director Pat Kraft made the call to fire Franklin. In his statement, Kraft emphasized that this wasn’t just about those three games – he believes the next coach has the potential to lead Penn State straight to a national championship.
Since the firing, Franklin hasn’t spoken publicly or given any interviews, making his upcoming appearance even more anticipated.
Key Questions We Expect to Hear
What Went Wrong This Season?
Penn State was considered a solid contender for the national title this year, making last year’s national semifinal a promising milestone. With many players returning, including standout talents like Drew Allar and Dani Dennis-Sutton, along with new additions from the transfer portal, the expectations were high. However, after a devastating loss to Oregon during the White Out game, it seemed like the Lions lost their way.
With Franklin now removed from the program, will he be able to pinpoint exactly what derailed their season?
What Are Franklin’s Future Plans?
This is the million-dollar question.
Will he jump back into coaching next season, or is he looking to chill out for a year or two while exploring opportunities as a TV analyst?
With plenty of enticing coaching vacancies expected this offseason, it might be hard for someone like Franklin to sit on the sidelines for too long. Or perhaps he’s making a sneaky GameDay debut to announce his newfound partnership with ESPN!
The Choice for Interim Coach: Why Terry Smith?
Terry Smith stated this week that Franklin always mentioned he’d be the next man up if needed. And now here we are.
Expect Franklin to shed light on his thoughts about Smith; he’s always had loyalty to his staff, so he’ll likely have kind words despite the difficult circumstances.
Who Will Penn State’s Next Head Coach Be?
This question is likely to be deflected by Franklin, right?
But how entertaining would it be if Nick Saban directly confronted him about who should take the reins next at Penn State? Knowing their fun exchanges, Franklin might just joke back at the legendary coach!
Imagine if Franklin takes a moment to weigh in on candidates like Matt Rhule, Eli Drinkwitz, or Urban Meyer. That could be a scene!
How Will You Reflect on Your Time at Penn State?
It’s been an intense few days for everyone tied to Penn State – players, coaches, and fans alike. Franklin was pivotal for many in the Lasch Football Building, so this might be his moment to share reflections from over a decade in Happy Valley.
The finale was tough, especially after the last loss against Northwestern when boos echoed from fans.
Despite the harsh ending, Franklin achieved great things during his tenure, transforming Penn State back into a respected program after tough times.
It will be quite telling how he graciously addresses this pivotal phase of his career.
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