Paul Finebaum Predicts Bleak Future for James Franklin as Penn State Nearly Dodge Mass Exodus

It was a night that could’ve rewritten narratives, silenced critics, and finally positioned James Franklin as a coach who belongs in CFB’s elite tier. Instead, the 27-24 Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame felt like an exclamation point on a story Penn State fans have read too many times before. The Nittany Lions, once again, stumbled under the bright lights, a tale of wasted opportunities and maddening what-ifs. And as per the veteran ESPN sportscaster Paul Finebaum, the ending wasn’t just predictable—it was inevitable.

During The Athletic’s “Until Saturday” podcast, Finebaum didn’t pull punches when asked about coach Franklin’s future at Penn State. “Do you believe James Franklin can get Penn State to a higher level?” Senior writer Chris Vannini asked in a clip posted on X. Finebaum’s response was blunt. “No, I don’t,” he said, doubling down with, “I thought last Thursday in Miami was his moment… That was a gift. Once again, James Franklin looked the gift horse in the mouth and said, I don’t want any part of this.” The words might sting for the coach’s supporters, but they reflect a mounting sentiment: Franklin’s teams fall short when it matters most.

The numbers tell a brutal story. A 1-15 record against top-five teams. A 4-20 mark against top-10 opponents. Penn State Nittany Lions hasn’t just failed to beat the sport’s juggernauts; they’ve barely been competitive with those moments. This Orange Bowl loss was supposed to be different. With Notre Dame as their toughest hurdle after an uncharacteristically favorable road featuring SMU and Boise State, this was Penn State’s clearest path to a championship game appearance in decades. Yet, in the game’s most crucial moments, Franklin’s decision-making—along with Drew Allar’s shaky play—proved costly.

The Tennessee alum framed Franklin’s legacy with an air of finality. “Years from now, James Franklin… it will be James Franklin, who led Penn State to numerous postseason games. But…?” That ellipsis carries weight, encapsulating the frustration of a program perpetually stuck in the purgatory of being “good, but not great.” James Franklin has guided the Nittany Lions to consistent winning seasons and bowl appearances, but the lack of a signature triumph is an elephant that won’t leave the room.

Yet, for all the talk of doom and gloom, there’s a flicker of hope in Happy Valley. The passing of the great exodus, and the return of Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Drew Allar for another season is a lifeline. Dubbed the “three-headed snake” in the backfield, Singleton and Allen’s ability to grind out yards combined with Allar’s arm talent gives Penn State a foundation few teams can match. Although he lost his WR2 and WR2. The trio chose to forgo NFL riches for another shot at rewriting Penn State’s script is a testament to the program’s potential—if Franklin can capitalize on it. But potential only takes you so far. Execution, particularly in those top-10 matchups, remains the elusive ingredient.

They’ve seen Michigan and Ohio State hog the spotlight in the Big Ten and waited for their turn. Franklin’s recruiting prowess has consistently kept Penn State in the conversation, but being “in the conversation” isn’t enough anymore. Finebaum’s prediction might feel like a death knell, but it’s also a challenge.

Finebaum called James Franklin “cursed”

If calling him a big “?” wasn’t enough, Finebaum didn’t hold back when discussing coach Franklin’s chances of winning a national championship. On The Paul Finebaum Show, 68-year-old flat-out labeled James Franklin as a “jinxed coach” who, in his eyes, simply won’t ever hoist the trophy. “I think James Franklin is just simply a jinxed coach who will never win a title,” Finebaum said, leaving no room for doubt about his stance.

He doubled down on this take during The Matt Barrie Show, dismissing Franklin’s wins over teams like SMU and Boise State as not qualifying as “big games.” In Finebaum’s book, Franklin just doesn’t get it done when the stakes are at their highest. “Let’s just be honest: James Franklin can’t win a big game,” Finebaum said. “He didn’t do it this year. He’s not gonna do it next year. He’s not gonna do it any year. That’s just who he is. That doesn’t make him a bad coach. It just makes him a jinxed coach in these situations.”

Despite the criticism, this season has been Franklin’s best yet. With 13 wins—his highest total in 11 years at Penn State—he’s set a new program record. So, is Finebaum being too harsh? Or does the “jinx” label hold water? The pieces are there.