LOS ANGELES — James Franklin’s time at Penn State has come to an end, but the former Nittany Lions head coach may not be out of work for long — and oddsmakers see UCLA as one of his potential landing spots.
Franklin was fired Sunday after an up-and-down 11-season tenure in Happy Valley that included three New Year’s Six bowl victories and a Big Ten title in 2016. Despite the dismissal, betting lines suggest the 52-year-old coach could have his pick of major programs looking for a proven leader.
According to BetOnline.ag, Arkansas is the early favorite at 2/1 odds to hire Franklin, potentially replacing Sam Pittman. Vanderbilt, where Franklin first rose to national prominence from 2011–13, is second at 4/1. Nebraska (5/1) and UCLA (7/1) follow close behind as intriguing Big Ten destinations.
Franklin’s track record of rebuilding programs has made him an appealing candidate. He guided Vanderbilt to three consecutive bowl appearances — a first in school history — before taking over a Penn State program in turmoil following Bill O’Brien’s departure to the NFL and the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
At Penn State, Franklin compiled a 102–53 record, stabilizing the program and routinely fielding top-10 recruiting classes. His teams finished in the AP Top 10 four times, though recent seasons fell short of expectations amid mounting pressure to dethrone Michigan and Ohio State in the expanded Big Ten.
UCLA, which fired head coach DeShaun Foster last month after an 0–3 start, is viewed as a potential fit given the Bruins’ pending full transition into Big Ten play in 2026. Franklin’s experience in that conference — coupled with his recruiting acumen and national profile — make him a logical candidate should UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond pursue a high-profile hire.
There’s also a hypothetical twist circulating among bettors: if Nebraska’s Matt Rhule becomes the favorite to replace Franklin at Penn State, Franklin could in turn take over Rhule’s job in Lincoln — a coaching carousel scenario that underscores the volatility of this year’s market.