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James Franklin reveals what led to his contract extension with Penn State
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James Franklin made some headlines this week after his contract extension was announced with Penn State. The 10-year, $85 million extension will keep the head coach in Happy Valley through the 2031 season.
The contract has a $7 million dollar salary, $500K retention bonus, and $1 million dollar life insurance loan. Plenty of incentive for the coach who has been linked to open jobs at USC and LSU to stick around a little longer. Franklin has had a lot of success during his time at Penn State. Since 2014, he has a 67-32 record as the head coach of the Nittany Lions.
Franklin spoke about the extension Wednesday during a post-practice media session. It was his first media appearance since the extension was announced, and he appeared alongside Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour.
Here’s all of what Franklin had to say about the extension:
James Franklin says he told the team and recruits a week ago he was staying. Reported as much last night.
"The reason it was nine weeks was because it really wasn't about me," Franklin said.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 24, 2021
"It's about alignment and truly competing with the people that we expect to compete with," James Franklin said, adding that he wants the media to do their own facility studies. "The information is out there."
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 24, 2021
"There's a next plateau that we have to get to and I recognize that and am committed to doing whatever possible to get there," James Franklin said.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 24, 2021
"Whether it's facilitates, whether it's staffing, whether it's dormitories," Franklin says alongside Barbour during their in-house media interview, "it all matters."
Barbour: "We don't just wanna keep up."
On their wants & needs: https://t.co/CEK45KnnQE
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 24, 2021
Franklin: “We are fighting for small margins to try to take that next step as a program, whether that is the playoffs, an opportunity to compete for national championships, and that’s really going to take place the other 364 days a year and allow us to be successful on Saturday.”
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 24, 2021
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.