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Return to SEC? ESPN analyst explains why James Franklin makes sense for head coaching vacancy
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With Penn State off to an 0-4 start, there’s already been some smoke about head coach James Franklin potentially leaving the school.
The latest bit comes from ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers, who thinks that Franklin could be a fit at South Carolina:
And yes if you are going to reply about their current record and state of affairs….
You have a valid point.
However if you’re entertaining the idea of Freeze’s buyout you may be able to get JF at a buyout discount.
He would put SC on the recruiting map again
— Jordan Rodgers (@JRodgers11) November 16, 2020
South Carolina is fresh off firing Will Muschamp after starting the season 2-5. They gave up 59 points in their latest loss to Ole Miss, which was a season-high.
It’s probably unlikely that Franklin would leave to go to South Carolina, especially since he just signed a contract extension with Penn State.
If he were to leave during this year though, he’d owe the school $5M and his buyout would drop by $1M each year, according to an article from Sports Illustrated.
Despite the rough start this season, Franklin has done an outstanding job at State College. Overall, he’s 56-27 as the head coach and 34-22 against Big Ten competition.
Franklin does have SEC experience after coaching Vanderbilt from 2011-13. Still, considering the challenges he would face at South Carolina and his recent extension, it seems very unlikely that Franklin would bolt during the madness of 2020.