Former Penn State head coach James Franklin may not be out of work for long. Less than a month after his dismissal from the Nittany Lions on Oct. 12, the 12-year Big Ten veteran is drawing interest from multiple programs, including at least one in the SEC.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Arkansas has “pursued” Franklin as it begins its search to replace Sam Pittman, who was fired on Sept. 28 following a 2-3 start. Nakos reports Franklin is also a top name in the Virginia Tech search as well and highly regarded on the open market.
Franklin, 53, compiled a 104-45 record and six bowl wins at Penn State but was let go after a 3-3 start this fall. His track record still carries weight and he is considered one of the most accomplished coaches available. Arkansas’ resources could be a draw, including an estimated $11.5 million NIL collective for 2025, which is the 17th-largest nationally, per 247Sports.
Franklin also has SEC experience, having engineered two winning seasons in three years at Vanderbilt from 2011-13. Arkansas is taking its time, with Nakos saying the Razorbacks “do not have a top three or a top target at this point.”
Franklin addressed his exit days after his firing during an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay, where Nick Saban defended the pressure Franklin faced after taking Penn State from severe NCAA sanctions to national contention.
“It’s unfair as hell,” Saban said of Franklin’s firing.
Franklin expressed pride in rebuilding the program. “We created that pressure,” he said. “When I took over the program 12 years ago, it was in a very different situation. … We got it back to being a consistent contender.”
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