Why did James Franklin leave Vanderbilt?

The Penn State Nittany Lions, led by coach James Franklin, stumbled yet again in a crucial game, losing 20-13 to No. 4 Ohio State at home.

The recent loss, which saw the Buckeyes hold off Penn State at the goal line late in the fourth quarter, has brought attention once again to Franklin's track record.

Franklin's tenure has faced scrutiny for repeated struggles in high-stakes matchups, with a 1-14 record against top 5 teams and a 3-19 record against top 10 teams. The Nittany Lions, ranked no. 3, are 1-10 versus Ohio State under Franklin, with their lone victory occurring in 2016.

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Penn State presented a massive career opportunity for James Franklin

James Franklin’s move from Vanderbilt to Penn State in January 2014 was due to multiple factors that aligned with his career goals.

Firstly, transitioning to Penn State offered Franklin the chance to lead a team in the Big Ten, one of college football’s most esteemed conferences.

With a larger fan base, deeper historical roots, and a national reputation, Penn State provided Franklin with a platform to elevate his coaching career and pursue championships on a bigger stage than Vanderbilt could offer.

At Vanderbilt, Franklin achieved impressive results, including two nine-win seasons, but he saw the long-term potential at Penn State as greater. The Big Ten school’s access to resources, recruiting power, and established facilities create a promising environment for sustained success.

Additionally, Penn State, recovering from the effects of the NCAA sanctions following the Sandusky scandal, sought a coach to rebuild its football image. Franklin’s experience at Vanderbilt, where he led the team to back-to-back bowl victories for the first time in program history, made him a compelling candidate for the role.

Penn State also offered Franklin a huge salary increase and enhanced facilities, allowing him to recruit top talent and build a competitive team.

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James Franklin's financial standing at Penn State

Despite mixed results on the field, Penn State extended Franklin’s contract in 2021, securing him for 10 years with a base value of $75 million, averaging $7.5 million per year.

The contract includes incentives for reaching the CFP and winning a national championship, with Franklin earning an additional $400,000 for a CFP appearance and $800,000 for a national title.

In games against major opponents, Franklin’s win percentage is under 14%, and the team often finishes as the third-best in the Big Ten.