James Franklin has a message for dissatisfied Penn State fans

It’s been a difficult few days around the Penn State football program since Saturday’s loss to Michigan. An extremely disappointing product on the field has only been followed by more negative developments in recent days, the firing of Mike Yurcich chief among them. But what has probably resonated most in the 72 hours since the defeat at the hands of the Michigan football team is the scene that greeted James Franklin and the Nittany Lions as they exited Beaver Stadium. On Monday, Franklin had a response to the fans who vehemently expressed their displeasure following the loss Saturday afternoon.

James Franklin addresses fan boos after Saturday’s loss to Michigan football

Frustrations have been mounting in Happy Valley over Penn State’s performance in big games under James Franklin. And those frustrations boiled over following Saturday’s 24-15 loss to Michigan.

Franklin was met with a flurry of boos as he exited the field and made his way through the tunnel. Players stopped to fire back at fans, defending their coach. It was about as tense of a scene since the “Fire Franklin” chants echoed in Beaver Stadium during the Minnesota game in 2016.

James Franklin’s walk through the tunnel sounded much different after a loss to Michigan pic.twitter.com/9yvrxtIFEq

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 11, 2023

Franklin addressed the negative fan response during his weekly press conference on Monday, explaining that he viewed the situation differently than in 2016.

“I think what I talked about in the past, in 2016, as you guys know, we came here at a tough time, a challenging time,” Franklin said. “I think that was literally our first year off the sanctions and back to full scholarships, so that was a different time. I’m much more, is the word callused, at this stage of my career, thicker skin between you guys and my wife that I don’t really get into those types of things. I control the things I can control. Not those other things.”

What is Franklin’s message to dissatisfied Penn State football fans?

As the season nears its end, Penn State football will likely finish with another 10-plus win record. But after the sky-high expectations coming into the year, that can’t help but feel like anything but a disappointment, which was vocalized after the Michigan game.

When asked if he had a message for fans who are angry about the results on the field, James Franklin expressed that the most appropriate response would come on the field.

“At the end of the day, we need to play well, and we need to play well against our toughest opponents,” Franklin said. “That’s the reality of it. We embrace that. That’s why you come to a place like Penn State as a coach, as a player. And we understand what comes with that, the positives and the challenges. You embrace it, or you don’t come to a place like Penn State.”

“I think me saying something here is one thing. At the end of the day, it’s about actions, and it’s about production,” he later reiterated. “It’s about playing well. We have lost to two of the best teams in college football, who also happen to be in the same side of our conference. We understand that. We recognize that. So, I get it. Me sitting here saying things is fine, but I think at the end of the day, it’s about actions.”

“I also believe we’re better positioned now, like I’ve talked to you guys about before, than ever before, based on the alignment we have for the first time,” Franklin continued. “I think I said that to you guys this summer. I think that is probably the reason I’m as hopeful and excited as I have ever been, and I’ve also stated that before.”

“But it’s not like these people get in those positions and six months later snap their fingers and things are fixed or moving. It takes time. It takes time. I think we’re in a position to do that.”

James Franklin and Penn State football will return to Beaver Stadium one final time in 2023 on Saturday against Rutgers.

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