TL;DR
- James Franklin was dismissed by Penn State on October 12, 2025, after a mid-season performance decline.
- Stephen A. Smith questioned James Franklin's decision to take the Virginia Tech job so quickly.
- Smith suggested Franklin could have taken time off with his large Penn State buyout.
- Despite struggles against top Big Ten teams, Franklin's coaching record warrants another opportunity.
Following Virginia Tech's significant move to hire former Penn State head coach James Franklin, Stephen A. Smith has already begun to provoke discussion. The news created a stir throughout the college football community, and Stephen A. Quickly raised questions about the Hokies' swift decision to appoint Franklin.
Franklin's availability stemmed from a surprisingly swift departure from Penn State. He was dismissed on October 12, 2025, merely a day following a challenging 22–21 defeat at home against Northwestern. This contest concluded a rapid mid-season downturn for a squad that had begun the year with aspirations of a national championship. Instead, Penn State faltered, experiencing consecutive home losses, squandering crucial opportunities in significant games, and broadly failing to live up to lofty expectations. Despite Franklin's consistent recruiting prowess and sustained achievements, the institution opted for a new beginning.
The dismissal stemmed from several distinct reasons, especially regarding October 12, 2025, after a close 22–21 defeat against Northwestern amidst a significant downturn in performance, Penn State opted to alter its coaching staff. The team was experiencing a mid-season decline characterized by unforeseen defeats, and it failed to live up to the lofty championship aspirations established at the beginning of a much-hyped season that rapidly unraveled. Consequently, when Virginia Tech recruited James Franklin just under a month afterward, Stephen A. Smith felt compelled to scrutinize the timing of this transition.
The internet buzzed throughout the day regarding the decision, particularly after Stephen A. Weighed in. During his appearance on First Take, he questioned whether Franklin should've held out for a different chance, primarily given that he's set to receive close to $50 million from his buyout.
“Just with what happened at Penn State,” Stephen A. Said, “you almost find yourself saying, ‘You got a $49 million buyout and Penn State stunk, could you take a year off?’ I’m just looking at that thinking, ‘Yo, could you take some time off? Could you take a breather?’”
He made it clear he wasn’t telling Franklin not to take the job, especially since he wasn’t likely to land an even bigger one after how things ended. It just didn’t shock him that Franklin grabbed the opportunity.
Stephen A. Also reminded fans that Franklin has still been a “damn good coach,” even if he struggled in the Big Ten’s biggest matchups. Going 3–17 against Ohio State and Michigan was the glaring issue. With all the resources Penn State poured in, the NIL investments, the transfer portal moves, bringing in the highest-paid defensive coordinator. Stephen A. Said the expectation was simple: you gotta win, and Franklin didn’t do that this season.
However, he wasn't criticizing Virginia Tech. He conceded that although the Hokies aren't a dominant force in the sport, Franklin's track record certainly warrants him another opportunity. And given the current 12-team playoff format, he comprehends why Virginia Tech feels Franklin can restore them to national prominence.
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