James Franklin: Fantastic Buyout Fee and Magnificent Contract

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The name of James Franklin, head coach of the Penn State football team, has once again become a hot topic following details of his extravagant contract and the estimated buyout fee, which could reach tens of millions of dollars.

If Penn State decides to terminate his contract without cause in October 2025, the estimated buyout fee could reach $50 million, making it one of the largest in college football.

The long-term contract he signed in 2021 ties him through the 2031 season, with an annual salary that places him among the highest-paid coaches.

By October 2025, the estimated cost of a James Franklin contract buyout is expected to be approximately $50 million, which is one of the highest in college football.

This substantial cost presents a significant barrier for Penn State if they consider firing Franklin without just cause.

However, a different scenario would apply if Franklin chooses to leave Penn State for another position.

If he leaves at the end of the 2023 season, he would owe the university $6 million.

For the next three seasons, this amount would decrease to $2 million, and then $1 million for the five years thereafter.

For those of you who are texting me as I sit in the Rose Bowl press box at halftime, with the score UCLA 27, Penn State 7:On Jan, 1, 2026, the Penn State buyout of James Franklin's contract will be $48 million.Franklin's buyout will be $1 million.https://t.co/IAV1O2LJaF pic.twitter.com/OlkyyzX5I1

— Mike Poorman (@PSUPoorman) October 4, 2025

James Franklin signed a 10-year, $85 million contract extension in November 2021.

In addition, according to the term sheet, his annual compensation is $8.5 million on a deal that runs through Dec. 31, 2031.

Franklin's annual salary is $8.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

This compensation consists of a base salary, supplemental salary, a $500,000 annual retention bonus paid every December 31st, and a $1 million annual life insurance loan.

In addition to his base salary, James Franklin's contract also includes a series of performance-based incentives that can add up to $1 million annually.

Examples of incentives Franklin could earn include $150,000 for finishing first in the Big Ten East, $350,000 for winning the Big Ten Championship, and up to $800,000 for winning the national championship.

Franklin's contract was also amended in late November 2024 to accommodate the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) format.

James Geoffrey Franklin was born on February 2, 1972, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, USA, making him 53 years old in October 2025.

He attended East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he also played quarterback from 1991 to 1994.

Off the field, Franklin is married to Fumi Franklin and has two daughters, Shola and Addison.

Franklin also made history as the first African-American head coach to win a Big Ten title and reach 100 career wins in the FBS.

James Franklin began his coaching career in 1995 as the wide receivers coach at Kutztown University.

He later held various positions at several universities and even served as the wide receivers coach for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL in 2005.

A turning point in his career came when he became the head coach of Vanderbilt from 2011 to 2013.

Franklin led Vanderbilt to bowl games in all three of his seasons, an unprecedented achievement in the program's history, with an overall record of 24-15.On January 11, 2014, Franklin was named Penn State's 16th head coach.

Under his leadership, the Nittany Lions won one Big Ten title (2016) and one Big Ten East Division title (2016).

He was also named the Dave McClain Coach of the Year in the Big Ten in 2016 and led Penn State to its first-ever College Football Playoff in 2024, with a 2-1 record.