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    Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin answers questions from the media following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium.
    Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin answers questions from the media following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
    Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin answers questions from the media following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium.
    Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin answers questions from the media following the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

    “I’m Very Appreciative”: James Franklin Has His Say on Penn State Journey Months After Sacking

    James Franklin was relieved of his duties as Penn State head coach back in October 2025, and much has been said and written about the decision ever since then.

    Perhaps the main reason for the chatter around his firing comes from the fact that he spent 12 years at the program, which is an impressive feat in the ever-changing world of college football, basically building it up from the ground and bringing it to national prominence.

    In a recent interview with Adam Breneman, Franklin spoke about his time at Penn State, and shared a glimpse into his disappointments of how he left the program.

    “After 12 years, nobody cares about what the program was like when you got there right,” he said.

    “I also understand that we were able to turn it and turn it quickly. We talked about this before I think when I got the job most college football programs have anywhere between 16 and 22 offensive linemen on scholarship, we had 4 I think was the number. It was a tough situation, that’s before the transfer portal right, so you know what we did there I’m very very proud.

    “I’m also very appreciative, I had 12 years there which is unheard of in today’s college football to stay in a place that long.”

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    New Chapter at Virginia Tech

    Now at Virginia Tech, James Franklin is already reinventing himself, and is lucky to have the support of former Hokies head coach Brent Pry as a part of his support staff.

    Pry and Franklin have worked together for many years prior to the former becoming Virginia Tech HC and despite his apparent demotion, retains the loyalty to Franklin that will help the program move forward.

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