Penn State Faces $50 Million Buyout Risk Amid James Franklin Firing Calls

Penn State's football coach James Franklin is facing intense scrutiny following a disappointing 2025 season that includes losses to Oregon and UCLA, the latter marking the first time in 40 years that an 0-4 team beat a top-10 opponent. Fans have vocalized their desire to see Franklin fired, particularly after the UCLA loss, but the prospect of terminating his contract is financially daunting. Franklin, who signed a 10-year, $75 million contract in 2021, has a buyout clause that would cost Penn State around $50 million to fire him now, a sum many believe the program cannot afford, especially amid a costly stadium renovation. Despite the calls for his dismissal, sources close to the program suggest there is almost no chance Franklin will be let go due to the prohibitive buyout and uncertainty about finding a better replacement. Franklin has led Penn State since 2014, securing a Big Ten title and multiple major bowl appearances, but has yet to win a national championship, intensifying pressure as this season's expectations were high. The financial and competitive stakes make Franklin's future at Penn State uncertain but unlikely to change without significant developments.