penn state owner James Franklin used to expect the best; now it sounds like he’s embraced mediocrity…

James Franklin, the head coach of Penn State football, has long been known for his ambitious goals and a high level of expectation. When he arrived in Happy Valley in 2014, Franklin made it clear that his vision was to return the program to national prominence, consistently competing for Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff berths. Under his leadership, the Nittany Lions have had notable successes, including a Big Ten championship in 2016 and multiple New Year’s Six bowl appearances. However, in recent years, Franklin’s rhetoric has shifted, and his current comments and actions suggest that he may have lowered his expectations for the program.

Franklin’s statements in recent years about the program’s progress reflect a more tempered approach. In press conferences, he often emphasizes the need for patience and continued development rather than directly aiming for championships. While it’s natural for a coach to talk about building a sustainable program, there’s a growing sense that Franklin has settled for the status quo—consistent, but not elite. After a number of near-misses in Big Ten title races and College Football Playoff contention, Penn State fans may have hoped for a more aggressive push toward the top tier of college football. However, Franklin’s latest rhetoric, especially after a season that saw the team finish with just a solid, rather than stellar, record, suggests that he is becoming more focused on incremental progress rather than chasing the highest accolades.

There is also the matter of recruiting. Franklin has been lauded for his ability to bring in top-tier talent, but the results on the field have often fallen short of expectations. Penn State consistently lands high recruiting classes, yet the program has struggled to break through against top competitors in the Big Ten, particularly Ohio State and Michigan. The team’s inability to consistently challenge for a national title, despite its talent pool, raises questions about whether Franklin has truly embraced the program’s potential or has settled into a more comfortable, middle-of-the-road approach.

Critics argue that this shift toward accepting mediocrity has prevented Penn State from taking the next step as a national powerhouse. While Franklin’s tenure hasn’t been a failure—he has certainly elevated the program from its lowest point—the Nittany Lions have yet to prove they can be a perennial contender. Instead of aiming for greatness, there’s a troubling sense that Penn State has become content with simply being “good enough.” For a program with so much history and resources, fans may rightfully wonder if Franklin’s embrace of mediocrity is a sign that Penn State will remain stuck in the middle of the Big Ten pack for the foreseeable future.