James Franklin
FILE - Then-Temple University athletic director Patrick Kraft speaking during a news conference in Philadelphia on Dec. 6, 2016. Penn State is working to finalize a deal with Kraft, the current Boston College athletic director, to replace the retiring Sandy Barbour and become the school’s next AD. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that the school and Kraft were closing in on an agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday, April 26, 2022, because a deal was not complete. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Penn State hires Patrick Kraft from BC as athletic director

Apr. 29, 2022 10:32 AM EDT

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford passes during an NCAA college spring football game Saturday, April 23, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Sean Clifford, Penn State offense looking for improvement

By Travis Johnson Apr. 23, 2022 06:26 PM EDT

FILE -Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh yells from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has agreed to a reworked five-year contract with the school that runs through the 2026 season, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Michigan raises Harbaugh's pay back to over $7m per year

By Larry Lage Feb. 16, 2022 06:06 PM EST

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington (3) eludes Arkansas defensive back Greg Brooks Jr. after a catch during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Jefferson leads No. 22 Arkansas over Penn State 24-10

By Mark Didtler Jan. 01, 2022 03:45 PM EST

FILE - Arkansas coach Sam Pittman stands on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. Pittman and Penn State coach James Franklin are concentrating on the players who actually will be on the field for Penn State and No. 22 Arkansas in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day Outback. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
No. 22 Arkansas, Penn State excited about Outback matchup

By Fred Goodall Dec. 31, 2021 11:00 AM EST

FILE - Miami head coach Manny Diaz looks on as officials review a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Manny Diaz was fired as Miami’s football coach Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, after a 7-5 regular season and with the school in deep negotiations to bring Oregon coach Mario Cristobal back to his alma mater to take over. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Diaz excited to return to defensive roots at Penn State

By Travis Johnson Dec. 17, 2021 05:29 PM EST

FILE - Miami head coach Manny Diaz looks on as officials review a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Manny Diaz was fired as Miami’s football coach Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, after a 7-5 regular season and with the school in deep negotiations to bring Oregon coach Mario Cristobal back to his alma mater to take over. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Penn State taps ex-Miami coach Diaz as defensive coordinator

Dec. 11, 2021 10:59 AM EST

New Virginia Tech NCAA college football head coach Brent Pry is shown during an introductory press conference in Blacksburg Va., Thursday Dec. 2, 2021. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Pry: 'Honored, humbled' to be Virginia Tech football coach

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 02, 2021 01:13 PM EST

New LSU football coach Brian Kelly gestures to fans after his arrival at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. Kelly, formerly of Notre Dame, is said to have agreed to a 10-year contract with LSU worth $95 million plus incentives. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LSU, Kelly agree to 10-year contract worth at least $95M

By Brett Martel Nov. 30, 2021 11:04 AM EST

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, center, runs onto the field for the team's NCAA college football game against Stanford in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
LSU hires Kelly away from Notre Dame to be Tigers next coach

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 29, 2021 09:22 PM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, left, throws a pass for a touchdown against Michigan State's Dashaun Mallory (94) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 12 Michigan State bounces back, beats Penn State 30-27

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 27, 2021 07:09 PM EST

Michigan State players walk through the tunnel before an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Penn State at Michigan State 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 03:27 PM EST

Arkansas running back Raheim Sanders (5) pushes past Missouri defenders DJ Jackson (36) and Chad Bailey (33) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Missouri at Arkansas 11/26/2021

Nov. 26, 2021 05:31 PM EST

Penn State safety Jonathan Sutherland (0) celebrates his second-half interception with Tariq Castro-Fields (5) during the team's NCAA college football game against Rutgers in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Penn State won 28-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 12 Michigan State looks for bounce back vs Penn State

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 26, 2021 03:10 AM EST

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell signals his team on a play against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
AP Top 25 Podcast: Who will fill all these coaching jobs?

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 24, 2021 12:50 PM EST

Penn State coach James Franklin signals to his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Penn State's Franklin agrees to $75M, 10-year extension

By Travis Johnson Nov. 23, 2021 05:25 PM EST

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost argues a call with linesman Bruce Keeling during the second half against Ohio State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Coaching stability separates Big Ten from other conferences

By Steve Megargee Nov. 23, 2021 05:06 PM EST

Florida quarterback Emory Jones sits in his end zone after an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Florida fires coach Dan Mullen, completing stunning fall

By Mark Long Nov. 21, 2021 01:33 PM EST

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral throws a pass against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Veilleux steps in to lead Penn State over Rutgers, 28-0

By Travis Johnson Nov. 20, 2021 03:35 PM EST

Penn State defenders Jaquan Brisker, left, and Zuriah Fisher (36) tackle Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Rutgers at Penn State 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 01:59 PM EST