Rece Davis Calls James Franklin’s Firing ‘Borderline Nuts’ Amid Penn State Collapse
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The midseason firing of James Franklin has sent shockwaves through the college football world, with many questioning the timing and reasoning behind Penn State’s decision. ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis didn’t mince words when reacting to the move, calling it “borderline nuts” during this week’s College GameDay podcast.
The Nittany Lions, once ranked No. 3 in the nation just over two weeks ago, have plummeted to a disappointing 3-3 record following three consecutive losses. The sudden downturn culminated in Franklin’s dismissal — a move Davis believes lacked strategic foresight.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Davis said. “This seems borderline nuts to pull the trigger on this in the middle of the season, even if you’re going to go your separate ways at the end of the year.”
While Davis acknowledged the shocking nature of Penn State’s collapse, he appeared baffled by the urgency of the firing. The Nittany Lions had narrowly lost to Oregon in overtime at home in front of a packed White Out crowd, a game that, in hindsight, marked the beginning of the end for Franklin.
Since then, Penn State has dropped back-to-back games to unranked UCLA and Northwestern — both matchups where the Nittany Lions entered as heavy favorites. The losses not only damaged the team’s postseason hopes but also seemingly cost Franklin his job.
“Fifteen days ago they were ranked third in the country,” Davis added. “And since then — an unprecedented collapse. A collapse unlike any I’ve ever seen.”
🏈 A Legacy Undone?
Franklin’s dismissal closes the book on a 12-year tenure that brought both highs and heartbreaks. Under his leadership, Penn State returned to national relevance, reached the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, and maintained a consistent presence in the Top 25.
Yet for all the success, Franklin’s struggles in high-stakes games — particularly within the Big Ten — loomed large. The program has not captured a conference title since 2016, despite fielding several nationally competitive teams.
ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, also appearing on the podcast, pointed to these shortcomings as contributing factors behind Penn State’s decision.
“James Franklin did a lot for that university. He brought them back to respectability and contention,” Thamel said. “But his big-game failures… they were very real and searing.”
According to Thamel, internal discussions indicated a growing belief among university leadership that Franklin had plateaued.
“This decision was made… because they realized it’s not going to happen under James Franklin after 12 years,” he added.
🔁 What’s Next for Penn State?
As the Nittany Lions turn the page, attention now shifts to who will be tapped to lead the program forward. With half the season still remaining, Penn State finds itself not only searching for wins — but also for a new identity.
Whether the decision to part ways with Franklin midseason proves to be the right move remains to be seen. For now, however, the college football community remains divided.
One thing is certain: the fallout from this decision will shape Penn State football for years to come.
