Urban Meyer calls recent head coach’s firing an ‘overreaction’

Penn State’s decision to part ways with James Franklin after 12 seasons has sent shockwaves through the college football world. The longtime Nittany Lions head coach, who restored national relevance to the program after a difficult era, was fired on Sunday following a third consecutive loss. Less than a year removed from a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, Franklin’s sudden dismissal drew widespread debate about timing, cost, and expectations.

On Tuesday’s episode of The Triple Option podcast, former college football coach Urban Meyer said he believes Penn State overreacted. Meyer called the decision “a one man’s call” from athletic director Pat Kraft and questioned the financial and institutional logic behind such a move. Franklin’s firing, which comes with a reported $49 million buyout, could cost Penn State as much as $75 million after accounting for staff payouts and the potential cost of a new hire.

“I heard from several sources that this was one man’s call, the athletic director, which it really should be,” Meyer said. “The board was really not aware is what I was told. And when you start adding this up, this is not a 40-some million dollar transaction. It’s a very high-paid staff, which it should be. It’s Penn State. Those guys are all gone and you have to pay them off. The way it happens is it’s a complete flush normally and they bring in their own people. Then when you pay a buyout of the coach and hire an established coach, you’re talking about a $75 million transaction. My comment to one of the persons was, where does that money come from? And the one person said, I have no idea. Obviously, Kraft knows what he’s doing. Penn State’s probably got a heck of a reservoir of money somewhere. I don’t know where it is, but I’ve always tended to side with the coach. I think this was an overreaction.”

Praise Due to Franklin for Reviving Penn State Football

Urban Meyer went further, saying Franklin’s body of work deserved more respect. The former Ohio State coach credited Franklin for taking over the program during one of its lowest moments and rebuilding it into a consistent winner.

Franklin was hired in 2014 after Bill O’Brien left for the NFL, inheriting a roster still affected by NCAA sanctions tied to the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Over 12 seasons, Franklin led the Nittany Lions to a 104-45 record, a 2016 Big Ten title, and a College Football Playoff berth.