James Franklin’s Penn State fell first in the Whiteout to Oregon, then embarrassingly to a winless UCLA squad (37-42), with an entirely new coaching staff. This loss may well serve as the final nail in the coffin for Franklin’s tenure at Penn State. More so, the stadium echoed with chants of “Fire Franklin” during halftime. But firing him might not be that easy, as his sacking comes with a hefty $56 million buyout. Beyond the obvious financial hurdles, Penn State would also face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement. As former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel pointed out, that practical reality might be Franklin’s saving grace at least for now.

On the 5th October episode of the Nightcap show, Manziel stated: “You are Penn State, which is a prestigious program. So, you are a good program, but you can’t just come in and buy somebody out of their contract. If you get rid of a James Franklin, who is a good coach and a program builder. You don’t want to take a step back and maybe take a shot at somebody else. So, I would think he’ll get a grace year, and you’ll have to come back in next year, and if this continues, then it’s something you look at seriously. But that’s just my opinion of the situation and what I see.”

Manziel’s words hold some truth, as firing Coach Franklin on such short notice can prove to be half-witted. As Shannon Sharpe noted, “Sark is not leaving Texas to go to Penn State. Now, you might get some coordinator to go to Penn State, but to get a big-time coach to leave a program, nah.” Also, changing coaches midseason might have a damaging effect on the performance and morale of the team.

Coming back to the buyout part. The 10-year $85 million deal gives him $8.5 million a year. It roughly translates to $56 million for the remainder of his contract. It would leave a major dent in the Nittany Lions’ purse if they decide to sack him. This fact, coupled with the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement, might actually end up getting him a grace year. Which he could use to prove himself. But is it enough to guarantee his job? History suggests otherwise. Take Jimbo Fisher, who was let go by Texas A&M in 2023 despite having an even larger buyout.

Now, if Penn State decides to move on from Franklin, who are the top candidates to fill the role?

Finding a suitable replacement for Franklin

Curt Cignetti leads the list after transforming Indiana into a legitimate Big Ten contender this season. The Pennsylvania native has consistently elevated every program he has coached throughout his career, bringing a proven track record of turning struggling teams into forces to reckon with.

Matt Rhule is another option as a Penn State alumnus with proven rebuilding experience. His deep connection to the program and demonstrated ability to resurrect failing programs make him an attractive candidate. Meanwhile, Dabo Swinney’s championship legacy at Clemson could translate into the Nittany Lions’ environment, bringing winning culture and recruiting genius to Happy Valley.

Ed Orgeron’s 2019 national championship at LSU demonstrates his unique ability to maximize talent and create championship-caliber teams. His experience in high-pressure situations and knack for developing players could provide the spark Penn State desperately needs. Jon Gruden, a Super Bowl-winning former NFL head coach, is renowned for his offensive innovation and quarterback development. His celebrity status and vast coaching network could boost recruiting and raise Penn State’s national profile. For now, all eyes remain on Penn State, as fans and analysts alike await the next update on Franklin’s future.