"Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), who began the year with hopes of winning the national title only to have those hopes evaporate by early October amid a string of losses, each one more stinging than the last. Penn State, who reached the CFP semifinals 10 months ago, fell at home to Oregon in overtime in late September. A road loss at previously winless UCLA followed."
"Franklin went 104-45 during his 11-plus seasons at Penn State. Yet the Nittany Lions often stumbled against top-tier opponents, going 4-21 against teams ranked in the top 10 during his tenure. There was hope this fall might be the one when Penn State would finally break through. Yet after three easy wins during a light non-conference schedule, the Nittany Lions crumbled."
Penn State dismissed head coach James Franklin less than 24 hours after a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern that all but ended playoff hopes. Terry Smith will serve as interim head coach while the Nittany Lions sit 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten. Penn State reached the CFP semifinals less than a year earlier but then lost in overtime to Oregon, lost at UCLA, and suffered a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar. Franklin was 104-45 in 11-plus seasons but just 4-21 against top-10 teams. Athletic director Pat Kraft cited high standards and a need for new leadership, while owing Franklin nearly $50 million in buyout.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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