For Penn State head coach James Franklin, the 2020 Nittany Lions football season has been a difficult one, both on and off the field.

Franklin has opted to isolate from his family as a precaution to reduce the risks of COVID-19, in an effort to protect his daughter Addison, who has sickle cell disease. The sacrifice in and of itself was difficult, but certainly the 0-3 start to the season hasn’t helped.

The family has a second home in Destin, Florida, and that is where his family has been spending the season.

In addition to the separation from his family, the COVID related isolation has resulted in Franklin and his team being unable to participate in bonding activities and team-building breaks, as all had to be cancelled. While Penn State isn’t alone in missing out on this, it does appear the Lions may have been impacted a bit more.

In his Tuesday press conference, Franklin commented on his difficulty in dealing with the situation.

“They’re my fuel,” Franklin said of his family. “I go home, they’re able to pour into me. I’ve not done a great job with that. At the end of the day, I have to.”

It’s been a difficult transition for Franklin, and will continue to be. He also told reporters on Tuesday that this will be the circumstances for the foreseeable future, saying it will probably remain this way “until there’s a vaccine.”