Fired the wrong guy: Former Penn State player slams James Franklin after Mike Yurcich firing

It hasn’t been the happiest of weeks in Happy Valley. As Penn State football hopes to correct course with Rutgers coming to town on Saturday, the echos of last week’s loss to Michigan still ring loudly several days later. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions will move forward without offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, a firing that has become the central focus of this game week. Penn Staters from across the community have voiced their opinions as the Nittany Lions’ loss and subsequent staffing changes have been analyzed ad nauseam recently. But one former Penn State player, CB Marquis Wilson, went on the record saying that the Nittany Lions fired the wrong person.

Tensions remain high in Happy Valley

Frustrations have been high since Penn State’s 24-15 loss to Michigan. As most have seen by now, James Franklin was booed off the field following the game, and then tension has carried over into the media room.

Saturday’s result prompted Franklin to fire offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, a decision the Penn State football coach has made mid-season.

But that hasn’t stopped the onslaught of negativity, as many remain frustrated with what they view as a “wasted” season. Many Nittany Lions, including Vega Ioane, Dvon Ellies, and Dani-Dennis Sutton, have defended their head coach and program.

I’m always gonna ride for my team and my brothers. That’s just who I am…

— Dani Dennis-Sutton (@thedanidennis) November 14, 2023

Former Penn State player Marquis Wilson slams James Franklin in wake of Mike Yurcich firing

But one former Penn State player thinks the Nittany Lions may have fired the wrong coach. In the wake of Yurcich firing this weekend, former Nittany Lion Marquis Wilson took to social media to insinuate that change should come at the top with head coach James Franklin.

Dey firing da wrong guy 😅

— L🎱ttery (@MarquisArmani) November 12, 2023

In all honesty, it’s not surprising that Wilson, who transferred to Purdue last offseason, may feel scorned by the Penn State football program. Wilson came to Penn State as a four-star prospect and a top-50 CB in the class of 2019. Wilson played all four seasons as a Nittany Lion. However, it’s widely viewed that a failed attempt to switch Wilson from CB to WR may have stunted Wilson’s development at Penn State.

Regardless, it’s unlikely that Marquis Wilson will get his wish soon. James Franklin does face the most important decision of his tenure at Penn State, as the replacement for Mike Yurcich will dramatically impact the trajectory of the program in the new landscape of college football.

On the field, Penn State football closes the season with Rutgers and Michigan State.

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