James Franklin fired after 12 seasons: Who could replace him at Penn State?

Penn State has fired head coach James Franklin after 12 seasons, the university announced Sunday, Oct. 12. Franklin is owed more than $49 million under his contract, making it the second-largest acquisition in college football history behind Jimbo Fisher’s $76 million payout from Texas A&M.

The school announced that associate head coach Terry Smith will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The decision comes less than a year after Penn State made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. But the program’s recent collapse has proven costly. Two weeks ago, the Nittany Lions suffered a stunning defeat against UCLA, which was previously winless and unable to hold the lead all season.

The slide continued at home; where “Fire Franklin!” Cheers echoed through Beaver Stadium as Penn State lost its second straight home game and third overall, falling 22-21 to Northwestern. With Franklin’s departure, attention now turns to who can lead the next chapter of Penn State football. Here are some of the top candidates chosen by ESPN to replace him:

Top candidates to replace James Franklin at Penn State

Curt Cignetti (Indiana):

PennLive’s Johnny McGonigal suggested that Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti should replace Franklin. Cignetti engineered a stunning comeback at Indiana, matching Franklin in their CFP outing and getting a signature win over Oregon. At 64, he is a proven winner who can thrive with Penn State’s resources.

Matt Rhule (Nebraska):

Rhule, a former Penn State prospect and close friend of AD Patrick Kraft, has revived Nebraska and previously earned blowout victories at Temple and Baylor. Although he is happy in Lincoln, the pull of his alma mater can be strong.
Matt Campbell (Iowa State):

Long linked to big-openers, Campbell has built Iowa State into a Big 12 contender. His offensive background and regional ties make him a natural fit if he’s ready for the next step.