Penn State fired head coach James Franklin six games into his 12th season, a day after a third straight loss — and second in a row as a 20-point favorite — capped a stunning collapse. The Nittany Lions, once No. 2 and 3-0, fell in double overtime to then-No. 6 Oregon and lost back-to-back to UCLA and Northwestern; quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending injury in Saturday’s 22-21 home defeat. Athletic director Patrick Kraft praised Franklin’s tenure but called for new leadership. Associate head coach Terry Smith is interim; Franklin’s fully guaranteed buyout is about $45 million.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.