James Franklin PSU contract
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t it be stupid to pay James Franklin MORE than he was making at PSU?
He was making $8.5M at Penn State. We are supposedly offering $11M. But his buyout stipulates PSU only pays the difference between his future salary and his PSU salary.
He’s getting paid regardless, so we should be offering $5M/yr.
“If Franklin accepts another head coaching gig, which he has to make a “good faith effort to obtain,” according to documents related to Franklin’s 2021 contract extension that were obtained by Front Office Sports, Penn State is obligated to pay the difference between the annual salary it owes him and his new yearly compensation.”
So pay him $5M. Am I missing something?
85 Replies
R
rnorm7
8mo
He wants to coach and win a championship. He has said he doesn't have any hobbies. Coaching is what he does. Imagine TreVeyon Henderson, Percy Harvin, Josh Sweat, and players of that caliber all at Virginia Tech. James Franklin can win a championship at Tech, and I think he knows it.
** Edited by rnorm7 at 11/9/2025, 5:09:54 PM
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
It's a sunk cost. It may as well not exist.
His future employer, whomever it may be, is not going to get him at a discount because anyone is giving a stray thought to letting PSU off the hook. The only way PSU carries that buyout is if (a) the market really isn't offering him more than it's annual value, or (b) Franklin doesn't like any of his offers and sits it out until next year.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
If you were Franklin and had $50M guaranteed to just go away, why would you do anything but that?
Jimbo has done a pretty good job of it.
(In response to this post by Beerman)
8mo
.... PSU is off the hook. His contract calls for him to look for a job in coaching or broadcasting.
** Edited by Atlee Hokie at 11/6/2025, 4:54:11 PM
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
(In response to this post by Atlee Hokie)
8mo
This is the Sexton shuffle. Sexton gets JF a big deal somewhere and tells PSU “I did you a favor so pay my other client even more” - and the beat goes on….
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
Every dollar he earns over the next 8 years comes out of that already earned money.
Why not relax for a few years and be an analyst at the B1G network for a few hundred K’s per year while cashing your $700k *monthly* PSU checks for the next 8 years?
If VT pays him $11M that PSU buyout disappears completely!
Collect what you’ve earned.
(In response to this post by CMU Hokie)
8mo
But he can’t win a natty from the booth, and he seemed pretty focused on getting that box checked.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
for him as a coach, he's risking PSU halting payments. It's not that he has to take the first one available, but he's going to be open to their lawyer's scrutiny.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
but more than $10M letting Penn St. completely off the hook.
I was hopeful for a discount too that we could really invest further in the staff and NIL and that the head coach would know he already has next to infinite money but part of the coaching ego via Sexton is getting the most money possible.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
And he’s going to go to a high bidder at a price point well above what he was making at PSU. We’re at least a part of setting his new price point (maybe along with Arkansas/others) - there’s no way he’s settling for anything close to what PSU was paying him. For your approach to work, he’d have to want VT and only VT - and want it so bad that he’d be willing to leave $$ on the table - never, ever happening
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
UF and LSU are a definite pass. Auburn will only has modest interest. Only Arkansas seems to share VT’s level of interest and he’s welcome to that if he wants it. Premium P2 programs aren’t interested in a coach that has correctly tag as hasn’t won the big games because those are the games they want to win.
(In response to this post by DoubleHokie)
8mo
(In response to this post by DoubleHokie)
8mo
…that’s a dollar he’s ALREADY earned with his Penn State buyout.
Read again the terms of his contract that I posted. It’s dead money to him.
(In response to this post by DoubleHokie)
8mo
also...you really think Jimmy Sexton's gonna let that happen...making a VT deal with PSU money? Morever, he has other coaches he's also trying to push into the PSU spot.
** Edited by Techsupport at 11/6/2025, 10:47:00 AM
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
I think you’re saying we’d pay him $5M, PSU would pick up the difference ($3.5M) and he’d make $8.5M. He’s sitting on at least one offer higher than that which renders this approach a non-starter, right?
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
“Penn State is obligated to pay the difference between the annual salary it owes him and his new yearly compensation.”
His buyout is roughly $49M which is just over $8M per year for 6 more years.
PSU pays the difference if he goes elsewhere. If he signs somewhere for $5M, PSU only owes him the $3M difference.
But if he signs somewhere for $11M….holy fug…you’re paying a huge chunk ($3M/yr) of PSU’s buyout!
Makes no sense.
(In response to this post by DoubleHokie)
8mo
Once hired, he may never see another penny from PSU, and that is almost definitely his preference.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
the leverage.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
..completely off the hook.
I’m back at Chesney or Mullen.
Franklin has already earned his one way or another.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
The committee better not be looking to stick it to PSU - they have to do what’s best for VT. JF will get what the market bears. If that’s higher than PSU’s buyout so be it.
The buyout is sunk and shouldn’t factor into any future decisions. Econ 101.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
You are looking at this from VT’s perspective, not James Franklin’s perspective.
He is being paid $50M to “just go away”.
If he gets $11M for 5 years from VT, he’s essentially working for no financial reason.
You talk sunk cost - that’s not true. Franklin can do next to nothing and collect his checks that he’s already earned and negotiated.
My argument is not from VT’s perspective, it’s from Franklin’s. Why piss away $50M already guaranteed to you? I doubt his agent would support that decision either.
(In response to this post by CMU Hokie)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
the VT offer on the table is as advertised, Franklin places himself in a precarious legal position if he declines in terms of the compensation you believe is guaranteed and the widely reported contractual provision giving him an obligation to mitigate.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
Collect $700,000 per month for the next 8 years.
Jimmy Sexton is his agent. Y'all act like his agent is bulletproof but then can't defend his guaranteed buyout, lol.
** Edited by Hardcore_Hokie at 11/7/2025, 2:10:08 PM
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
and potentially workable. Probably not the best look for PSU to demand evidence of that either. However, if he is an analyst for the next 8 years I hope he is good at it and enjoys it because his coaching career is likely done.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
But if you had $50 million guaranteed in your pocket, why would you do anything else?
He's already earned that $50M.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
and do not disagree, however, some people are just wired differently.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
VT could pay him $18 Million a year (unheard of) and it would still net him $0.
Whatever he makes comes out of his PSU buyout.
James Franklin won't be coaching ANYWHERE this year (or years to come).
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
how $18MM nets Franklin zero.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
What math do I need to show?
Anything he earns comes out of that $50M.
His best play is to do nothing.
I don't understand this message board.
He literally has a $50 million buyout and coaching elsewhere nets him nothing.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
it comes out of his PSU buyout? again, explain the math, if you can but, I do not believe you understand the fallacy of your statement. Just a little help for you, he doesn't pay PSU if he makes more, PSU just does not have to pay him his buyout/contractual salary. So to repeat, show us your math.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
James Franklin has a guaranteed $50 million buyout. It's not that different than Jimbo Fisher or Brian Kelly's.
It's a BUYOUT. It's money already in his pocket.
**Penn State owes James Franklin $50 million dollars.**
If you were guaranteed $50 million dollars for doing *nothing*, why would you take another job?
VT could pay James Franklin $15mil/yr and it would still be net zero for him for way more stress.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
answered the question. Show your math instead of just typing meaningless and hollow words. Perhaps then you will finally see the fallacy of your argument.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
James Franklin is owed a $50 million buyout.
Every dollar he earns over the next 8 years comes out of that $50 million.
It makes no sense to him to earn ANYTHING from ANYONE if it negates what he's already earned.
What is Jimbo Fisher doing right now?
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
which is a far different argument and WRONG than debating the merits of getting $50 million without working versus taking on additional stress for an equal or greater amount. However, that greater amount does not net to zero which is why you were repeatedly questioned to show your math instead of embarrassing yourself further with each nonsensical reply.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
I'm nonsensical...but you can't understand that $50 million dollars in your pocket is what you protect.
A potential $10 million annual contract might also look great, but you already have 5x that already locked up.
You're not a math guy, I get it.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
2
2hhoop3
8mo
worse you're not even smart enough to recognize it after you have been spoonfed the answers trying to help you out. Before you say someone else is not a math guy, it would be wise if you could prove you were.
Since you are such a bright math guy focused on protecting the $50MM in your pocket earned over the next six years perhaps you can explain how you would protect the $108MM from the $18MM per year you threw out in your original post that started this thread and spawned your original net zero claim?
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
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8mo
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8mo
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8mo
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8mo
now too.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
H
Hokie622
8mo
equate to a higher income in the future but still make good use of that PSU money. He got fired from an $8.5 million job because PSU thought they had some pretty good evidence that he wasn't worth it. Why should that mean he gets an $11 million job?
Problems with that:
- None of the football pay situation makes sense. It's way more money than any of them deserve and I hope it all comes crashing down so I can watch college football with more enthusiasm again
- The whole "PSU still has to pay" thing will go through much litigation if he actually wants to take advantage of it. If I were him, I wouldn't want to count on it.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
then that's what VT needs to pay. I'd have to see the $11M to actually believe it. I think the VT offer is likely comparable to what he was making at PSU.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
courting while sniffing around other prom dates once again.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
seems to be playing out. The committee felt like more of the same, but it isn't.
(In response to this post by BG Hokie)
8mo
and IMO it'll be worth the price- Franklin's presence alone will restore some of our credibility and give us some juice.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
he's worth, it's foolish to even talk about it.
(In response to this post by BROman Hokie)
8mo
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
pay the rest. We are in agreeance. Just pay him what it takes to get him at VT.
(In response to this post by BROman Hokie)
8mo
He’s getting that one way or another.
But if he coaches at another school, his contract there offsets it. So by paying him more than $8.5M we’d essentially be helping pay PSU’s buyout.
Complete stupidity. Think about it.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
bag too.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
James Franklin is worth nowhere near $11 million per year, in my opinion.
(In response to this post by BG Hokie)
8mo
and he'd likely rather have it from one source. If VT is hiring him thinking they can go cheap by allowing PSU to pay a portion of it, they've learned nothing. VT either has the money to hire him, or they don't. Silly to squeeze PSU for a $1-2M/year. That's part of why Fuente failed--they wouldn't let him replace his coordinators with real candidates. That ended up costing more than $8M. VT cannot be so short-sighted this time.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
…and the contract states that every dollar you earn/work for…moving forward comes out of that check…
…okay I guess some of y’all aren’t very good at math.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
He's getting that money no matter what. If he's good with VT paying $6M, then great. There is almost no chance he's good with that. As much because PSU will question the difference and withhold payments. He's going to want to get away from PSU if he goes back to work.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
PSU: “Mr. Franklin, you can cash that $50M check and sit on your couch for the next 8 years.”
Or you can become head coach at another school and we’ll deduct your earnings from that $50M payment schedule.
The *literal* only way to make additional money is to accept less than your PSU salary ($8.5M/yr). Courts/litigation withstanding.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
the contract. If he turns the VT job down and doesn't take another, PSU will stop paying him. The offset is simply the difference between his annual of $8.5M or whatever and what the new job pays. Per the contract, he needs to make his best effort to maximize his income. I think that's stupidly subjective, but it's what he and his agent agreed to.
My guess is he'll have a few offers close to what he was making at PSU. VT doesn't want to offer $6M if Arkansas offers $7M. PSU will know that and argue they shouldn't have to pay the full difference. Franklin's best bet is to get a new contract covering that offset to avoid any sort of litigation.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
what he makes, it is going to reduce that $50M. If he gets a guaranteed $50M contract, PSU won't end up owing him anything. No way Franklin has a problem with that. He's getting that money one way or the other. If he gets $11M/year, that comes off the $50M until it's down to zero. To be a fired coach, he's in a pretty good situation since there is demand.
** Edited by reestuart at 11/6/2025, 12:07:40 PM
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
If Franklin is already owed $50M, why would he work his butt off at another head coaching job for 8 years just to net nothing?
It makes no sense for him.
Get an analyst job at the B1G network for $100k annually and let those PSU checks cash every *month* for $700K for 8 years.
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
the meatgrinder. I'm doing TV for a year and weighing my options.
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
(In response to this post by reestuart)
8mo
to the point I can scale it back or stop working, my ass is gone!
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
Like Groucho Marx said when he got the check, "I don't know my own strength!"
How many jobs can he pass on before PSU lights him up?
(In response to this post by Hardcore_Hokie)
8mo
“Once terminated, Coach is obligated to diligently search for and make a good faith effort to obtain another position appropriate for his skill set (i.e., coaching, scouting and broadcasting only) and to provide the university upon request with evidence that he is seeking such employment.”
And there are plenty of precedents for these buyouts. Jimbo Fisher, Brian Kelly, etc, etc.
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
M
MVIII
8mo
The contract also states that Franklin must "make good faith efforts to obtain the maximum reasonable salary" at his next job.
If he chooses broadcasting and gets the maximum reasonable salary then PSU pays big time.
If he chooses coaching and gets the maximum reasonable salary than PSU pays zero.
Interesting wording, both sides might like where they stand on this one.
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
8mo
After that, PSU is going to look to reduce his payout.
(In response to this post by MVIII)
8mo
Essentially, James Franklin doesn’t have the buyout structure that the ridiculous Jimbo Fisher and others have had recently.
It’s not “completely guaranteed” and has some contingencies like making your maximum value at your next job (which is great and where these contracts need to be headed).
Getting paid millions to “just go away” is one of the more ridiculous things we’ve seen in sports.
So if that’s the case and Franklin is just getting paid market value in his next endeavor, then that’s fine with me.
(In response to this post by reestuart)