James Franklin contract twist could influence next…
Penn State needs James Franklin to land on his toes pronto.
Franklin’s contract, which Penn State purchased out for $49 million, consists of a clause that calls for him to be diligent in looking out for his next job, according to Front Office Sports.
The buyout is the second-largest in faculty soccer historical past, trailing only the $76 million Texas A&M paid Jimbo Fisher to half methods.
“‘Once terminated, Coach is obligated to diligently search for and make a good faith effort to obtain another position appropriate for his skill set (i.e., coaching, scouting and broadcasting only) and to provide the university upon request with evidence that he is seeking such employment,’” the contract Franklin signed in November 2021 states, according to the report.
James Franklin before what can be his ultimate sport with Penn State on Oct. 11, 2025. Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
The contract also notably calls for Franklin “to make good faith efforts to obtain the maximum reasonable salary” at his new job, per Front Office Sports.
That observe is tied to the traditional offsetting pay clause that Franklin’s contract has, which lessens the quantity Franklin is owed ought to he land another job.
While there are haves and have-nots in faculty soccer, and there are no indications that Penn State is struggling financially, any college would love to keep away from paying such a hefty invoice.
The roughly $49 million determine Penn State owes Franklin reportedly consists of the $8 million Franklin is owed each season through 2031, plus the quantity remaining on his contract for this season.
James Franklin on “College GameDay” earlier this 12 months. @CollegeGameDay/X
“This will be the best environment in the history college football tonight.”James Franklin is anticipating historic scenes at today’s Penn State White Out 🤩 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HvvgF310YG— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 27, 2025
Penn State athletic director Patrick Kraft said the athletics department — not the college — can be paying out what Franklin is owed.
“’Should Coach obtain such applicable employment prior to the date this Contract would otherwise have expired, the University’s obligation to make payments to Coach … will be offset by the total compensation earned by Coach from such applicable new position through the end of the otherwise unexpired term of this agreement,’” the contract stipulates, according to Front Office Sports.
Penn State AD Patrick Kraft made the call to transfer on from Franklin. Getty Images
Franklin, who turned around Vanderbilt and made Penn State a perennial top-10 program, ought to have no downside touchdown a job, offered he needs to get back into teaching.
There are some high-profile jobs open, including Arkansas, Oklahoma State, UCLA , Virginia Tech and Stanford, and Franklin has expertise teaching in the SEC and Big Ten.
However, faculty coaches have begun transitioning to media roles amid the additional stress the new NIL guidelines carry, taking lesser-stress jobs with still comfy paying jobs.
Ex-Alabama legend Nick Saban cited NIL as a motive for him exiting the teaching ranks.
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