Penn State fired James Franklin as its head football coach Sunday following back-to-back losses to heavy underdogs UCLA and Northwestern.

Director of athletics Pat Kraft emailed Nittany Lions lettermen to inform them of the decision. Penn State later issued a news release.

“We have made a change in the leadership of our football program as Coach Franklin will no longer serve as the head football coach,” Kraft wrote. “This decision did not come lightly. I have tremendous respect for James and the deep commitment and effort he and his staff have shown our student-athletes and our great university.

“However, after careful evaluation of the program’s trajectory and performance, I believe new leadership is necessary to position Penn State football for long-term success,” he wrote.

Associate

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