Penn State has fired James Franklin as its head football coach following back-to-back losses to UCLA and Northwestern.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the news.

Director of athletics Pat Kraft emailed Nittany Lions lettermen to inform them of the decision. Penn State later announced the news in a press release.

Associate head coach and former Penn State wide receiver Terry Smith, who guides the cornerbacks, will serve as interim coach, according to the school’s press release.

“We have made a change in the leadership of our football program as Coach Franklin will no longer serve as the head football coach,” Kraft wrote. “This decision did not come lightly. I have tremendous respect for James and the deep commitment and effort he and his staff have shown our student-athletes a

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