In a stunning turn of events, Penn State has parted ways with longtime head coach James Franklin following a brutal stretch of losses that effectively derailed a season that began with championship aspirations. While the decision to fire Franklin came swiftly, it wasn’t without warning. For Oklahoma State, a program entering a new era after the departure of Mike Gundy, Franklin's sudden availability could represent an intriguing opportunity.
A Fall from Grace at Penn State
Franklin’s dismissal comes on the heels of a three-game losing streak that sent shockwaves through Happy Valley. The first of those losses, an overtime heartbreaker at home against Oregon, wasn’t viewed as a catastrophe on its own.