Penn State’s James Franklin Named to Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List

James Franklin is 6-0, his Penn State team currently sits at No. 3 in the country and now he’s been named among a select group of coaches up for a national award. Franklin was announced on Wednesday as one of 27 coaches on the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list. 

Along with Franklin, four other Big Ten coaches are included on the watch list: Illinois’ Bret Bielema, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Oregon’s Dan Lanning.

The winner of the award will be announced on Jan. 25, 2025. 

Franklin was previously named a finalist for the honor in both 2016 and 2019. While he didn’t win in 2016 — when the Nittany Lions won their last Big Ten Championship — Franklin was the recipient of that year’s Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year, Sporting News Coach of the Year and the Woody Hayes Trophy.

After a bye week, Penn State will return to action at Wisconsin on Oct. 25, as Franklin looks to successfully close the second half of his season en route to a debut in the College Football Playoff.