James Franklin is not a new face to the big paydays. As the head coach of Penn State football, he’s already one of the highest-paid coaches in the conference. However, with the new College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this year, Franklin’s contract has been restructured, and the stakes for his paycheck went so high. So, if Penn State wins the Big Ten Championship and goes deep into the new playoff format, how much is Franklin going to make? Let’s dive into the numbers and see just how beneficial this season could be for Franklin and his already impressive pockets.

James Franklin’s contract, which he signed in 2021, is worth an eyebrow-raising $85 million over 10 years. His base salary is already a great $7 million, excluding a $500,000 retention bonus due at the end of this year, with a $1 million life insurance loan annually. That brings his guaranteed earnings to at least $8.5 million in 2024, and that’s before any postseason victories are factored in. So Franklin is sitting pretty with anything that happens.

However, with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, Franklin’s contract includes major benefits aligned with the postseason performance. What does that mean? If Penn State performs well in the playoffs, his pockets are about to grow even fatter. The change in the CFP format has added new incentives for Franklin, reflecting the extra games that come with the expanded bracket. In the past, Franklin was set to earn bonuses for making it into the four-team playoff, which was relevant till last year, with rewards increasing if the team proceeded to the national championship. But with the CFP now featuring up to four rounds, Franklin holds chances to make even more.

First, if Penn State wins the Big Ten Championship, James Franklin would pocket an additional $350,000. That’s a solid start. But the real bonuses come if the Nittany Lions make the playoffs. The revised contract includes a $400,000 bonus for making the final four in the CFP, and if Penn State continues to win, Franklin could see his pay increase significantly with each additional round. Should the Lions make it to the national championship game, Franklin would receive a $500,000 bonus. And if Penn State were to pull off the unthinkable and win it all? Well, James Franklin would get a hefty $800,000.

Now, let’s consider the reality of the new playoff format. Penn State could potentially play up to four games in the expanded CFP, which includes a potential home game in the first round at Beaver Stadium, something that wasn’t possible in the previous four-team structure. Should Penn State host a first-round playoff game, that’s another potential $200,000 bonus for Franklin. Then, the bonuses continue to escalate as the team advances. If they make it all the way through the rounds, Franklin could see an extra million bucks or more in bonuses, stacking on top of his guaranteed salary.

At the end of the day, if Penn State has a strong postseason showing and goes deep into the playoffs, Franklin could easily add over $1 million to his base salary. That means he could be looking at an earnings total of well over $9 million for the 2024 season, just from his contract and bonuses.

What’s the big picture for James Franklin?

Of course, it’s not just about the money. The performance incentives tied to Franklin’s contract show how important postseason success is for both him and the Penn State football program. Franklin is already one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, but the new playoff structure adds another layer of excitement and financial incentive for him to lead the Lions deep into the postseason.

If James Franklin can guide Penn State to a Big Ten championship and a solid run through the 12-team playoff, this could be one of his most financially rewarding seasons yet. The new format certainly raises the stakes and makes the path to the national championship even more lucrative for coaches like Franklin.

The bottom line is that if Penn State keeps winning, Franklin’s paycheck is going to keep growing, with his contract potentially leading to the biggest payday of his career.