Penn State announced the firing of longtime head coach James Franklin on Sunday afternoon following a three-game losing streak that rendered the team unranked and squashed its national championship aspirations.

Franklin is set to receive over a $49 million buyout, the second-highest in college football history behind former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher’s $76 million payout in 2023.

Several Nittany Lions took to social media Sunday afternoon to share their thoughts and emotions on Franklin’s departure from the program.

Drew Allar

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who suffered a season-ending injury in the loss to Northwestern, shared an image on his Instagram story of himself and James Franklin shaking hands in the Nittany Lions’ locker room after Penn State’s win over SMU in the first round of the college football playoff last December.

Tony Rojas

Linebacker Tony Rojas, who suffered a season-ending injury ahead of the UCLA game, reacted with a broken heart emoji and a frowning face after the news broke that Penn State had fired Franklin.

— Tony Rojas (@Tony_Rojas5) October 12, 2025

Rojas later took to X to share a photo of himself and Franklin embracing on the sideline during the SMU game, along with a message about the coach’s impact on his playing career and personal growth away from the game.

Shit heartbreaking and dont even feel real.. I appreciate you coach for the opportunity and being so good to me and my family wasnt just a great coach but someone who cared about us players and wanted to develop us as men off the field too.. pic.twitter.com/Mk3Ofn2RMl

— Tony Rojas (@Tony_Rojas5) October 12, 2025

Cooper Cousins & TJ Shanahan Jr.

Offensive linemen Cooper Cousins and TJ Shanahan took to X to share their thoughts on Franklin’s departure. Cousins shared a picture of Franklin leading the team out of the tunnel, captioned “Love you coach,” while Shanahan reacted to his firing with a frowning face emoji.

Love you coach pic.twitter.com/KOSsDWZUWx

— Cooper Cousins (@cousins_cooper) October 12, 2025

. https://t.co/EYI73ve1Nh

— Tj Shanahan Jr. (@TShanahan66) October 12, 2025

Koby Howard

True freshman Koby Howard expressed his appreciation for Franklin after spending just six games under him as head coach.

thank you coach for the opportunity. https://t.co/Vhd1LB9i0r

— Koby Howard (@KobyHoward3) October 12, 2025

Zakee Wheatley

Defensive back Zakee Wheatley shared Penn State football’s post thanking Franklin on his Instagram story, adding a 100 emoji and a heart.

Former Players

Throughout nearly 12 years at the helm of Penn State football, Franklin changed the lives of many young men chasing their dreams by offering them an opportunity to play at the highest collegiate level.

Several of his former players took to social media to express their thanks and appreciation for Franklin.

Love you Coach pic.twitter.com/SJJzB9S6zp

— Sean Clifford (@seancliff14) October 13, 2025

Through it all, the good, bad and the ugly. Appreciate you coach pic.twitter.com/z30eVR18cR

— Dvon J-Thomas (@dfesquire) October 12, 2025

This downfall honestly doesn’t even feel real

— Jason Cabinda (@jasoncabinda) October 12, 2025

pic.twitter.com/HFVJ0S54Dc

— Fred Hansard (@Fred_Hansard53) October 12, 2025

Salute to @coachjfranklin …. You are a winner and a great leader of men!

— DaeSean Hamilton (@SkeeterMills__) October 12, 2025

— Quanny B. (@JaquanBrisker) October 12, 2025

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