Did loss to Illinois make James Franklin more likely to leave for USC or LSU?
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Two striaght losses in a three-week span has changed the outlook of the 2021 Penn State season in quite a hurry. With a road trip to Ohio State on deck after a devastatingly disappointing result in an epic nine-overtime loss to Illinois, Penn State has gone from being a legitimate top 10 team with very real aspirations of playing in a New Years Six bowl game to now looking to see if it can find a way to merely finish in the top half of the Big Ten East. And with the quickly shifting outlook of the season, the future of James Franklin as Penn State’s head coach looks more and more ominous to some outside observers.
Keep in mind, this is not any suggestion Franklin should be worried about Penn State asking him to turn in his keys and have the carpet pulled out from under him. Penn State has many reasons to still be satisfied having Franklin as its football coach for years to come. But the writing could be on the wall for a decision by Franklin to evaluate a potential change of scenery.
That is the historical perspective offered on the current situation offered by Matt Zemek, editor of Trojans Wire, following Penn State’s loss to Illinois on Saturday. As USC continues to conduct a national search for its next head coach, Franklin remains a name to keep on the radar for the Trojans, just as it always has seemingly been. And given the examples shared by Zemek in establishing a potential trend for notable college football coaches looking for a change of scenery and a breath of fresh air, Franklin’s current situation does look strikingly similar to some possible coaching changes made by head coaches rather than the schools.
Per Zemek;
“Not guaranteed. Not certain. Just a little more likely than Friday, before the loss to Illinois. Penn State is still in a position to make Franklin a very handsome offer and keep him, and Franklin could very easily think that’s a great deal for him. He could stay.
If the needle has moved, though, I think it’s in the direction of leaving.
See more of why Zemek came to that idea on this post on Trojans Wire.
Related
The worst loss of the James Franklin era at Penn State
Report Card: Grading Penn State's 9 overtime loss to Illinois
Twitter Reacts to Penn State 9 OT Loss to Illinois
Instant Reaction: Penn State upset by Illinois 20-18 in 9 OT
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.
