Former Penn State head coach James Franklin will make his first public appearance and statement since his dismissal on ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday, Oct. 18, during the show’s final hour from the University of Georgia campus.
Franklin was fired just a day after Penn State’s third consecutive loss, which was a 22-21 home defeat to Northwestern. He will join the “College GameDay” crew live in Athens, Georgia. According to ESPN broadcaster Dave Pasche, Franklin is scheduled to appear during the 11 a.m. ET hour of the show.
The 12-year head coach led the Nittany Lions to a 104-45 overall record, including their first-ever College Football Playoff berth last season. However, a 4-21 mark against Top-10 opponents and a 1-10 record against Ohio State proved damning for Franklin’s long-term tenure in Happy Valley. His buyout, estimated at $49 million, is among the largest in college football history.
Franklin had long emphasized building a family atmosphere at Penn State, helping develop NFL talent and secure double-digit win seasons. Yet his inability to consistently beat top-tier programs ultimately cost him his position. The final blow came in Week 7, when the then-No. 2 Nittany Lions lost at home to unranked Northwestern and also lost starting quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury.
That loss followed an overtime home defeat to Oregon and a stunning road loss at previously winless UCLA. Penn State, once a national title contender, is now 3-3 and winless in Big Ten play.
Terry Smith has been named interim head coach as the program looks to stabilize for the remainder of the season.
Franklin’s exclusive interview on “College GameDay” is expected to draw national interest as he addresses the collapse of a once-promising season.
