Oh, so that’s why James Franklin’s contract extension took so long.

The Penn State coach wasn’t just asking for a deal that would pay him as much as guys like Kevin Sumlin and Gus Malzahn, who were set to make between $4.7-5 million in 2017.

No, Franklin wanted a seat at the big boys table. He wanted money that finally proved he was an elite coach. Franklin wanted a contract that would show every recruit that he’s in for the long haul and he’s every bit as good as Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer.

After all, Franklin was the one who won the toughest division in college football and eventually the B1G Championship. Not Harbaugh or Meyer. He’s the one who has the two Heisman Trophy candidates in his backfield. Not Harbaugh and Meyer. Franklin was the one who, more than anything, needed an official vote of confidence. Not Harbaugh and Meyer.

No wonder Franklin got the deal he wanted.

By agreeing to a new six-year deal that will pay him a deal worth $5.8 annually, it was clear that Franklin won the negotiation battle. He’s now the fourth-highest paid coach in college football behind only Nick Saban, Harbaugh and Meyer.

That’s certainly some elite company. The question is whether or not Franklin will make due on Penn State’s risk.

Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

For all that Franklin accomplished last year — it was incredible given the circumstances — there was still reason for Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour to approach this situation cautiously. I outlined those reasons a few months ago when talks were seemingly at a stalemate.

Barbour knew that Franklin deserved a raise after the season he just had. The problem was that given what he was already making and what he could likely command in comparison to other high-paying coaches, it was risky.

After all, this was still a guy who hadn’t beat a top-25 opponent at Penn State until the thrilling Ohio State upset. Sure, Penn State proved it was no fluke by knocking off Wisconsin in the B1G Championship and nearly beating USC in the Rose Bowl. By doing that alone, he already had a better résumé than the likes of Sumlin or Hugh Freeze, both of whom had richer deals than Franklin in 2016.

Barbour ultimately favored that notch under Franklin’s belt. She didn’t get caught up in his 14-11 conference record at Penn State or the fact that 2016 was Franklin’s first time finishing better than fourth in his own division since he became a head coach.

And make no mistake, Franklin deserves credit for the job he did at Vanderbilt. Winning nine games in consecutive seasons at a place many consider to be the toughest place to win in the SEC is remarkable.

But for an offensive-minded coach, Franklin’s numbers weren’t that impressive:

  • 2011 (Vanderbilt): 61st in scoring
  • 2012 (Vanderbilt): 55th in scoring
  • 2013 (Vanderbilt): 56th in scoring
  • 2014 (Penn State): 110th in scoring
  • 2015 (Penn State): 101st in scoring
  • 2016 (Penn State): 21st in scoring

What was different about 2016? He had Joe Moorhead on his side. Yes, Saquon Barkley is an all-everything player/talent, and I don’t believe Trace McSorley gets enough respect, but Moorhead was the biggest reason for that offensive spike.

You better believe Barbour had that in mind during negotiations with Franklin. There’s a decent chance that if Penn State’s offense plays like it did last year, Moorhead is a Power Five coach at this time next year. In all likelihood, Barkley will be getting NFL Rookie of the Year hype next year. There are questions whether or not Franklin can live up to Penn State’s high standards without those two pieces.

But Barbour’s risk was about trying to capitalize on this window Penn State has in 2017. By settling Franklin’s contract before the season, it doesn’t become a distraction. He can go out and recruit while coaching a traditional power that could be in the College Football Playoff conversation the entire year.

That’s an AD’s dream. That’s how programs like Florida State and Oklahoma establish yearly success. Stability is everything in college football, and now, Penn State believes it has for the first time in the post-Joe Paterno era.

Franklin, entering his fourth year at Penn State, already did exactly what he was hired to do. If he can continue that success, $5.8 million per year will be a welcome expense for PSU to pay to keep its football program relevant and its university in the national spotlight (for the right reasons).

That’s what Barbour wants. Better yet, that’s what Barbour expects with this new deal.