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Paul Finebaum on Penn State football: James Franklin, ‘you haven’t done enough’

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum recently blasted James Franklin for the job he has done with Penn State football.

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Penn State football, James Franklin, Paul Finebaum, ESPN
Paul Finebaum, radio and ESPN television personality, gets ready to speak on television near activities outside the Superdome, before of the College Football Playoff National Championship game in New Orleans Monday, January 13, 2020. Pregame Fans Clemson Lsu Football Cfp National Championship New Orleans

The Penn State football fan base has been split on James Franklin and the on-field results. On one hand, he has captured one Big Ten Championship and multiple seasons with ten-plus wins. On the other hand, the Nittany Lions head coach has failed to win the big games time and time again. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum believes that James Franklin hasn’t done enough as Penn State’s head coach entering the 2024 season.

On Thursday, Paul Finebaum of ESPN was asked about James Franklin on Get Up. The reason Franklin was brought up is due to a comment Franklin made at Big Ten Media Days.

“But we are one of the few programs in the country you can win 10 or 11 games, and people are unhappy,” Franklin said. “So we embrace that, and we’re excited about those opportunities, and it starts for us at West Virginia in Morgantown, which is going to be a challenging opening game.”

While it is strange to think about the concept of the grass isn’t always greener in regards to James Franklin. What Paul Finebaum of ESPN said about the state of most Nittany Lion fans seems to be accurate.

“You’ve done a nice job. You haven’t done enough,” Finebaum said on Get Up on ESPN. “Penn State fans expect excellence. They expect championships. They’re getting a little tired of 10-2 seasons that the two biggest games of the year you blow.

“…And for $9-10 million a year, it’s just not enough. But James [Franklin] has a big break, Greeny; there is now a playoff, so he can blow those games as he usually does and still get to the playoffs and probably get knocked out in the first round.”

Franklin has a big opportunity ahead of him in 2024

Penn State football, James Franklin, Paul Finebaum, ESPN

Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

This fall feels like a major stepping stone for James Franklin. With the expanded playoff and not having to play the defending National Champion Michigan Wolverines, Penn State football should take care of business.

Even if the Nittany Lions fall short against Ohio State in November, they will have a strong resume to make the College Football Playoff.

If Penn State misses that opportunity to make the expanded playoff, that’s when fans are likely going to be at their breaking point.

But it will all start with West Virginia before we can get to the big picture of the 2024 season. With kickoff slated for August 31 on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.

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Former Editor-In-Chief at Victory Bell Rings, Morgan is the current Site Manager for Basic Blues Nation, host of the Basic Blues Podcast, and co-host of the weekly Penn State Roar Room spaces. Morgan lives in upstate New York with his wife and cats.

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