Penn State shocked the world this morning by firing head football coach James Franklin. Wisconsin is in a worse spot than Penn State, which is currently sitting on its hands. The fear has more to do with the big $25 million buyout than the fact that it needs to happen. However, Penn State pulled the trigger with double the buyout. Franklin is owed $50 million!
There is no longer an excuse; Penn State is taking its football success seriously, and Wisconsin is not. If they let Fickell keep his job, it’s hard to take Chris McIntosh or the board of regents seriously. The fear of the buyout didn’t stop the Nittany Lions, but it’s certainly slowing down Wisconsin.
Per his contract, Penn State owes James Franklin more than $49 million. https://t.co/IlWOXPS3QX
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 12, 2025
Chris McIntosh has a ton of pressure now that Penn State has fired James Franklin
Related: Luke Fickell has no answers for Wisconsin and he admits it, ‘I’m dumbfounded’…