Penn State has fired head football coach James Franklin, as reported by ESPN on October 12th, 2025, at 6:37 PM UTC, concluding his tenure with the Nittany Lions. The decision comes after a period of speculation regarding the team's performance and Franklin's future with the program. Specific details surrounding the termination, including the exact timing of the announcement and any severance agreements, were not immediately available in the ESPN report. This development marks a significant change for Penn State's football program, which has seen various levels of success under Franklin's leadership. Further information is expected to be released by the university in the coming days.