Sandy Barbour said last week that James Franklin is not on the hot seat. She stuck to her guns Thursday in a interview with ESPN where she reiterated those sentiments and added that she believes Franklin is going to be Penn State’s head coach for the foreseeable future.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that James is going to be our football coach long term,” Barbour said.

Franklin is now in his third season with the Nittany Lions, having posted a 17-14 record thus far. Following the blowout loss to Michigan where Franklin’s Nittany Lions dropped to 0-6 against ranked opponents, Barbour stuck by Franklin in an interview with the Altoona Mirror, saying, “He’s not on the hot seat, and he’s not going to be on the hot seat in December.”

Starting this season off 3-2 with losses against Pittsburgh and Michigan plus close calls against Temple and Minnesota have some fans clamoring for a change. Barbour understands their concerns, but wants them to look at the progress the team’s made in the aftermath of the sanctions.

“They need to take it as a body of work,” Barbour said. “Are we showing progress? Where are we at the end of the season in terms of our development in a new offensive scheme? Where are we in the development of a really young defense? Where are we with the development of our student-athletes, the identity of the program.”

Franklin’s contract runs through the 2019 season. The Nittany Lions will be back at Beaver Stadium this Saturday at noon for their Homecoming clash with undefeated Maryland.