STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State dismissed head football coach James Franklin on Sunday, ending his 12-season tenure atop the program, according to ESPN and other outlets.

The university confirmed the firing following the Nittany Lions’ 22−21 home loss to Northwestern on Saturday, the team’s third straight defeat. Athletic director Patrick Kraft stated the school seeks "new leadership" to advance toward "Big Ten and national championships."

Franklin’s departure triggers a buyout of more than $49 million, the second-largest coaching termination payment in college football history.

The recent struggles include becoming the first team since 1978 to lose consecutive games while favored by 20 or more points. Furthermore, Franklin leaves tied for the second-most wins in program history but hol

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