Grace Interrupted: Franklin’s Surprising Exit
After more than a decade leading Penn State football, James Franklin says he felt “blindsided” when the university fired him minutes before a team meeting following a three-game slide. In a sit-down with former player Adam Breneman, Franklin lamented that after 12 years of loyalty and turning the program into a national contender, he at least deserved a conversation—if not grace—in his final season. He opened up about coaching hires that didn’t fit, the pain of an abrupt dismissal after a 22-21 loss to Northwestern, and how he refuses to let bitterness define his future as he gears up for the Virginia Tech job.
Well, look at that: a man who spent 12 years building a football empire expects a polite goodbye note and a sympathy fruit basket. What did he think this was, a neighborhood HOA meeting? “Grace,” he says. Grace? If graceful exits were handed out at Penn State, your diploma would come with a gold star sticker. Franklin’s shock at being sacked two decades into the program might score big on the empathy meter, but let’s not overlook the fact that three straight losses in the Big Ten is the academic equivalent of playing hooky—only with fewer cramps. Yet here’s James, bravely pulling back the curtain on his final day, as if Penn State had offered him cold pizza instead of a retirement party. Now he’s off to Virginia Tech, where we’re sure the Hokies are ready to roll out the ceremonial red carpet of corporate bios and heartfelt testimonials—just as soon as they finish drafting their “We Never Fired Anyone” policy manual.
Trench Warfare 2.0: Penn State’s New Wall of Jawbreakers
Penn State landed David Tarawallie, a 6-5, 260-pound, three-star offensive tackle from Ohio, as its 15th commit for the 2027 class. Tarawallie, a top-40 lineman nationally, chose the Nittany Lions over offers from Michigan State, Nebraska, Tennessee and others. With four offensive linemen in the class, Penn State ranks sixth nationally and third in the Big Ten, according to the 247Sports Composite. Coach Matt Campbell has rejuvenated a once-empty recruiting board, adding top defensive linemen and receivers to push the class into the top-10.
Because nothing says “national title contender” like beefing up the weight room and snagging a handful of future farm-team behemoths. Sure, Penn State had zero commits when spring practice ended—but now they’ve jacked up the roster like grandmas hoarding Twinkies before a snowstorm. Coach Campbell’s out there scouring every Ohio cornfield, hauling in four-star behemoths like he’s running a lost-and-found for human refrigerators. Tarawallie’s announcement on social media must’ve broken the internet—or at least caused a minor power outage in Painsville Riverside High’s parking lot. Before you ask, yes, they’ve also lined up unofficial visits to Michigan State, South Florida and Cincinnati, because why stop at transforming your roster when you can chronicle every hush-hush visit like it’s the last season of a reality show? Keep those OL rifles loaded, Matt. The trenches await.
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