Penn State AD Pat Kraft Reveals Why James Franklin Was Fired — and What’s Next for the Nittany Lions

Penn State AD Pat Kraft Charts New Course After Firing James Franklin University Park, Pa. — In a swift move that has vaulted him into the national spotlight, Penn State vice president for intercollegiate athletics Pat Kraft cut ties with head football coach James Franklin on Sunday and addressed the decision in a combative Monday press conference. Kraft’s remarks outlined why Franklin’s 104-45 tenure no longer aligned with championship ambitions and previewed the high-stakes coaching search now underway. A Record No Longer Enough Franklin delivered a Big Ten title, seven New Year’s Six bowls and last season’s College Football Playoff berth, but Kraft said recent data told a different story: three straight losses, a 15-29 mark versus ranked opponents and just four wins in 25 tries against top-10 teams. “We hold our programs to the highest of standards,” Kraft stressed. “To give our student-athletes the best chance to win national championships, this was the moment for new leadership.” Why the Timing? Follow the Analytics Kraft revealed that he spent 48 hours poring over metrics before pulling the trigger. “The Ph.D. nerd in me does analytics,” he said. “When you start to look at where we’re going, it’s about maximizing elite-level resources and competing for championships right now.” He declined to detail how the nearly $50 million buyout will be financed but confirmed it will be handled inside athletics. Interim Plan: Terry Smith at the Helm Associate head coach and elite recruiter Terry Smith takes over on an interim basis for the season’s final six games. Kraft said Smith “will absolutely be considered” in the upcoming national search, but laid out an aggressive profile for the next permanent coach: • Proven winner in the transfer-portal and NIL era • Ability to “retain elite talent and attract more” • Fit with Penn State’s core values of integrity, accountability and toughness • Vision to leverage Beaver Stadium’s coming renovation and conference-best resources What Comes Next for Pat Kraft’s Coaching Search Kraft promised an expedited yet thorough process. Sources around the Big Ten expect calls to sitting Power Five coaches adept at roster retention and portal strategy. Boosters, flush after a record fundraising year tied to the stadium project, are expected to help underwrite any buyout required to lure a top target. Fan Base and Recruits on Watch Smith said he has already talked to players about resisting the portal exodus: “We have an opportunity to come together, shock the world and have success.” Kraft echoed that stability message to recruits and donors, reminding them, “Penn State is still Penn State — a destination program.” Key Dates to Know • Oct 12: Franklin dismissed after third straight loss • Oct 13: Kraft/Smith press conference sets expectations • Nov 30: Regular season ends; decision on next coach anticipated shortly after conference title weekend • 2027: Beaver Stadium renovation slated for completion, a selling point Kraft is emphasizing in interviews Bottom Line By firing a coach with the second-largest buyout in college football history, Pat Kraft has tied his legacy to finding a leader who can convert Penn State’s mounting investments into Big Ten and national titles. The next six weeks will define not only the future of Nittany Lion football but also Kraft’s own standing as one of the most assertive athletic directors in the modern NIL era.