Return to SEC? ESPN analyst explains why James Franklin makes sense for head coaching vacancy

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.