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Penn State fired head coach James Franklin after a stunning three-game slide, as athletic director Patrick Kraft said the move reflects a deeper look at the program’s trajectory. The skid started with an overtime loss to Oregon in a roaring White Out, then shock defeats to UCLA and Northwestern, where QB Drew Allar suffered a season-ending leg injury. Despite heavy investment and high-priced coordinator hires, a preseason No. 2 team saw its offense stall and defense miss key stops. With fan frustration rising, even a $45 million buyout couldn’t save Franklin’s 11½-season tenure; Terry Smith is interim coach.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.