Dan Patrick didn’t hold back when reacting to Penn State’s decision to fire head coach James Franklin
Dan Patrick calls Penn State’s $49 million buyout for James Franklin “embarrassing” and “lucrative,” arguing that the Nittany Lions’ strong stats masked deeper failures in big games.
On Monday’s episode of The Dan Patrick Show, the celebrated sportscaster had some choice words when commenting on Penn State’s decision to fire head coach James Franklin.
Patrick called it “embarrassing” and “lucrative,” joking that getting paid $49 million to leave a job might be the best deal in sports. In Patrick’s eyes, the buyout wasn’t the story. The real story was how Franklin’s program kept falling short when it mattered most.
Dan Patrick’s critique of James Franklin was simple and to the point
On Monday, Patrick’s criticism of Franklin centered on the fact that Penn State wants to be mentioned in the same breath as Michigan, Ohio State, and Georgia, but those programs don’t lose as many big games. At first glance, Franklin’s overall record looks solid — 104 wins and 45 losses — but his 4–21 mark against top 10 opponents tells a very different story.
“If you want to be a big-time program, you have to have high standards,” Patrick said, adding that other blue-bloods wouldn’t tolerate that level of underachievement.
In truth, Penn State’s season was more complicated than just a simple collapse. On his YouTube show, Patrick mocked the absurdity of Franklin walking away with a $49 million buyout after consecutive losses as a 20-point favorite, saying, “Take this money and go away.” However, beneath the punchlines, his critique hit at something deeper — Penn State was statistically strong in many areas, but not where it mattered most.
Through six games, the Nittany Lions actually outgained opponents 2,219 yards to 1,813 and averaged 6.0 yards per play to their opponents’ 4.4. In fact, their 35.6 points per game ranked among the Big Ten’s best, nearly doubling what they allowed their opponents (18.5). The Nittany Lions’ run game, led by a deep backfield, averaged an impressive five yards per carry and 169 rushing yards per contest.
Add to that an opportunistic defense and solid O-line, producing 14 sacks while allowing only six, as well as a shining special teams averaging 45.5 yards per punt and a 91 percent field goal success rate. On paper, it would have seemed that the Nittany Lions would be unstoppable this season.
Those are the metrics of a true contender, not a program in turmoil. But Patrick’s point — and the one that ultimately doomed Franklin — is that the good numbers hid bad habits. Penn State lost the possession battle by a full 40 minutes over six games, an alarming gap for a team built on balance.
In truth, Penn State’s offense stalled too often in critical moments, converting just 42 percent of its third-down attempts, which is fine for most teams but not elite ones. These differences showed up late in games, when tempo and decision-making faltered. For example, against Oregon and UCLA, those missed conversions turned into field goals instead of touchdowns. Against Northwestern, they turned into another loss that Franklin couldn’t explain away.
Patrick framed Franklin’s firing as financial and philosophical.
“If you want to be a big-time program, you have to have high standards,” he said, arguing that powerhouse programs like Michigan or Georgia wouldn’t tolerate this kind of inconsistency. In addition, Patrick questioned the 10-year contract extension that made Franklin nearly untouchable, calling it “an expensive divorce.”
He and his crew compared the deal to others around college football, where long extensions have become the norm despite inconsistent results. “Five years should be the max,” Patrick said, pointing to the way agents and athletic departments continue to fuel an endless cycle of buyouts and overcommitment.
Now Penn State faces the same crossroads that Franklin once stabilized. Matt Rhule, the Nebraska coach and former Penn State walk-on, has already emerged as a fan favorite. Indiana’s Curt Cignetti and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell are also in the mix, while former Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz could return as a continuity pick. One thing’s for sure: Whoever takes over will inherit a team with talent and statistical promise but a glaring void in leadership.
While Patrick’s take may have been blunt, it was accurate. Penn State didn’t just fire a coach on Sunday. It admitted that being good wasn’t good enough anymore.
Penn State Nittany Lions News
Nebraska HC Matt Rhule speaks out on fan treatment of James Franklin’s family after Penn State’s collapse
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule spoke out after Penn State fired James Franklin, condemning fans who yelled at Franklin’s children and praising the former coach for stabilizing his alma mater’s program.
