In a rapid change of events, James Franklin, the head coach of the Penn State football team, has now become the second-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten conference. This shift in the coaching landscape comes hot on the heels of Monday’s firing of Northwestern’s longtime coach, Pat Fitzgerald.
Franklin’s time at Penn State has been marked by success and consistent competitiveness in one of the most demanding conferences in college football. As the head coach, Franklin has worked diligently to elevate Penn State’s football program, steering them to competitive seasons and notable achievements, doubling both the school’s appearances and victories in the Rose Bowl, winning a Cotton Bowl, and posting four double-digit win seasons.