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James Franklin’s wife, a Washington State grad, gave the PSU head coach an ultimatum for Fiesta Bowl
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James Franklin has a lot riding on the Fiesta Bowl.
Sure, there’s probably some bonus incentive worked into his contract, and it would be great to hit the 11-win mark for a second straight season. But Franklin is actually coaching for his wife and children when Penn State takes on Washington in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
Ok, so maybe he’s not really playing for them, but Franklin’s wife, a Washington State graduate, did confront her husband with an ultimatum.
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times relayed a fun anecdote ahead of the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, one that proves Franklin’s wife is still a Cougar through and through. When she found out that Penn State would play Washington, she had strong words for her husband.
“She made it clear: Win this game or me and the kids are gone,” Franklin told Stone.
Penn State coach James Franklin's wife went to Washington State. When the Fiesta Bowl matchup with Washington was announced, "She made it clear: Win this game or me and the kids are gone."
— Larry Stone (@StoneLarry) December 28, 2017
Franklin certainly didn’t need any added pressure for Saturday’s game, but now even more is on the line.
Penn State has reached the postseason in each of Franklin’s first four seasons with the program, but the Nittany Lions have lost their last two bowl games. In 2015, they fell to Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Last year, PSU were defeated by USC in the Rose Bowl.
Maybe the little extra incentive will help Franklin and Penn State end that streak. And hopefully his wife and kids will be at home when he returns to Happy Valley.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB