A specific clause in James Franklin’s contract has some college football fans invested in his next career move.
Penn State announced Franklin’s firing on Sunday after the Nittany Lions’ stunning upset loss against Northwestern. Fans couldn’t help but marvel at the massive buyout figure Franklin is now owed after getting axed, which ranks second in college football history behind Jimbo Fisher and his $76 million buyout with Texas A&M.
A report from Front Office Sports on Monday revealed that Franklin’s contract includes a “duty to mitigate” clause, which states that the veteran coach is “obligated to diligently search for and make a good faith effort to obtain” a job in coaching, scouting, or broadcasting. The salary he would then receive at his next gig would be used to offset the $8 million in annual wages the school owes him for the foreseeable future.
James Franklin is required to look for another job in coaching or broadcasting, according to a copy of his Penn State contract obtained by FOS.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 13, 2025
If Franklin's new job pays him less than the $8M he's owed annually through 2031, Penn State only owes him the difference.
Several fans came up with the same idea for Franklin to spite his former employer. Many suggested that the 53-year-old take a gig with a very low salary and have Penn State pay close to the full amount.
Would be great if Franklin took an entry level job at a network that pays like $30,000 a year, thus fulfilling his obligation and forcing Penn State to basically pay the full buyout.
— Nobody (@textual_content) October 13, 2025
James Franklin’s has the chance to do the funniest and pettiest thing possible here lol
— Tampa 2 CFB (@Tampa2CFB) October 13, 2025
So, a school could hire him for a minimum and then Penn state still has to make up the difference? What a deal.
— Comrade Misty is Putin’s Buddy (@SarcasmStardust) October 13, 2025
Others took it further and pitched the idea of Franklin taking his talents to the high school ranks, where he could scratch his football itch in relative anonymity.
Broadcast the local high school football games for $8M. Sign me up.
— Devin Knotts (@devinknottsfbg) October 13, 2025
So he can go coach a highschool and make 8,000,000$? 🤣
— Jonesth (@jonesth19) October 13, 2025
While taking a $1 contract to coach at his high school alma mater would make for some funny headlines, Franklin probably doesn’t want to burn bridges with Penn State completely.
However, Franklin may also want to stick it to one of Penn State’s biggest backers, who reportedly agreed to pay the majority of Franklin’s buyout figure.
