Franklin’s 10-Year Deal Averts PSU Coaching Search

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Penn State Secures Football Future with Landmark 10-Year, $75 Million Extension for Coach James Franklin**

**UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (November 23, 2021)** – Penn State University announced today it has finalized a monumental contract extension for head football coach James Franklin, committing him to lead the Nittany Lions through the 2031 season. The deal, reportedly valued at $75 million over 10 years, solidifies Franklin’s long-term future in Happy Valley and brings an end to a period of intense speculation linking him to several high-profile coaching vacancies across the nation.

The agreement, formally approved by the Penn State Board of Trustees compensation committee, is designed to keep Franklin, who has been at the helm since 2014, as one of college football’s most stable and well-compensated figures. While specific financial details were not fully disclosed, sources familiar with the deal indicated an annual average compensation of approximately $7 million, positioning Franklin among the sport’s highest-paid coaches.

The extension arrives amidst a flurry of head coaching movement in college football, notably at powerhouse programs like USC and LSU. Franklin’s name had been prominently featured on speculative candidate lists for both coveted positions, fueling anxiety among the Penn State faithful about the potential for the university’s first head coaching search in nearly a decade. This new deal definitively quashes those rumors.

“It is an honor to continue to lead our Penn State program with the support of our President Eric Barron, Athletic Director Sandy Barbour and the Board of Trustees,” Franklin said in a statement released by Penn State Athletics. “It’s a privilege to represent our University, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build upon our strong tradition.”

Athletic Director Sandy Barbour underscored the university’s unwavering confidence in Franklin’s leadership. “We are thrilled to have James Franklin as our head football coach for a long time to come,” Barbour stated. “We are excited to continue to build upon our strong foundation and to compete for championships. James has been a tremendous leader, coach, and educator for our student-athletes, and his impact extends far beyond the football field.”

Franklin, 49, originally took the reins at Penn State in 2014, inheriting a program navigating the complex aftermath of NCAA sanctions and the departure of legendary coach Joe Paterno in November 2011. He succeeded Bill O’Brien, who had departed for the NFL, and interim coach Tom Bradley. Since his arrival, Franklin has compiled a 67-32 overall record (as of the extension date) and a 42-28 mark in Big Ten Conference play. His tenure is highlighted by two Big Ten East division titles and a Big Ten championship in 2016, which culminated in a Rose Bowl appearance. He has also overseen significant improvements in recruiting, consistently landing top-ranked classes.

The averted coaching search had generated widespread discussion about potential replacements, had Franklin opted to leave. Among the names frequently mentioned were Mike Elko, then the defensive coordinator for Texas A&M, who ultimately accepted the head coaching position at Duke on December 17, 2021. Another highly-regarded coach, Luke Fickell of Cincinnati, also signed an extension to remain with the Bearcats on December 13, 2021, taking him off the theoretical market. Other prominent coaches discussed in hypothetical scenarios included Jeff Brohm, head coach at Purdue; Matt Rhule, then with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers; and Dave Aranda, who leads the Baylor program.

With Franklin’s future secured, Penn State aims to capitalize on this stability, focusing on sustained success on the field, continued academic achievement for its student-athletes, and a strong presence in the evolving landscape of college football.