The firing of offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich by James Franklin in November 2023 underscored Penn State’s persistent offensive struggles against top-tier opponents, particularly Ohio State and Michigan. This move, a familiar pattern in Franklin’s tenure, highlights the intense pressure on coaches to perform and the escalating financial stakes within college football’s relentless coaching carousel.
The landscape of college football is ever-shifting, particularly for programs like Penn State striving for national championship contention. The November 2023 decision by Head Coach James Franklin to relieve Mike Yurcich of his duties as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach sent ripples through Happy Valley, marking another significant change in the Nittany Lions’ offensive leadership.
The Firing of Mike Yurcich: A Familiar Narrative
Mike Yurcich’s dismissal on Sunday, November 12, 2023, came swiftly after a disappointing 24-15 loss to Michigan. This decision aligned with Franklin’s known tendency to act quickly to control narratives that cast him in a poor light. Following persistent criticism after losses to top teams, Franklin previously made mid-season changes, such as switching his traditional Tuesday press conferences to Mondays. The move to fire Yurcich, with only two “gimme” games remaining on the schedule, was a calculated attempt to shift media focus away from Franklin’s own record against powerhouses.
The statistical evidence against Yurcich was stark, particularly in critical situations. Penn State’s offense struggled significantly on third downs:
- 1 of 16 on third downs vs. Ohio State
- 4 of 14 on third downs vs. Michigan
This inability to sustain drives and convert in key moments ultimately sealed Yurcich’s fate. Franklin himself acknowledged the offensive struggles in his post-game press conference, noting, “We’ve got to do a better job of calling a game to allow our quarterback to get into rhythm. That is critical.”
Interim Leadership and Player Impact
Following Yurcich’s departure, Ja’Juan Seider (running backs coach) and Ty Howle (tight ends coach) were named interim offensive coordinators for the remainder of the 2023 season. Seider, a veteran of the offensive staff, typically coaches from the sidelines, while Howle operates from the coaches’ booth. Interestingly, Yurcich had moved upstairs to call plays for the 2023 season, leaving graduate assistant Danny O’Brien to handle face-to-face coaching with quarterback Drew Allar on the sidelines. O’Brien, who played quarterback for Franklin at Maryland, was highlighted by Franklin as having a “really bright future in the profession” and developing strong relationships with the quarterbacks.
The firing also brought into focus the regression of some offensive playmakers under Yurcich. Running back Nick Singleton, the 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, saw a noticeable dip in his performance:
- 2022: 156 carries, 1061 yards, 6.8 ave., 12 TDs
- 2023: 134 carries, 523 yards, 3.9 ave., 7 TDs
Furthermore, quarterback Drew Allar’s development, a significant factor given his highly-touted recruitment, also came under scrutiny. Allar had a strong relationship with Yurcich, who was a key reason for his commitment to Penn State. His combined statistics against Ohio State and Michigan in 2023 were particularly underwhelming:
- Passing: 26 of 64 (43.8%), 261 yards, 2 TDs, QBRs of 87.2 and 30.4
- Running: 17 carries, 26 yards (1.5 YPC), 1 TD
Franklin’s Pattern of Offensive Changes and Historical Context
Yurcich was Franklin’s fifth offensive coordinator in less than ten seasons, a clear pattern of instability at a crucial position. Previous coordinators included John Donovan (2014-15), Joe Moorhead (2016-17), Ricky Rahne (2018-19), and Kirk Ciarrocca (2020). Franklin has either fired or strongly influenced the departure of multiple offensive assistants throughout his tenure.
This frequent turnover extends beyond just the offensive coordinator role. Penn State has had five wide receiver coaches in Franklin’s decade at the helm: Josh Gattis (2014-17), David Corley (2018), Gerad Parker (2019), Taylor Stubblefield (2020-22), and Marques Hagans (2023). This consistent shuffling suggests a deeper issue within the offensive philosophy under Franklin.
The Shadow of Sanctions and Early Challenges
When James Franklin arrived at Penn State in 2014, he inherited a program grappling with the severe aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Franklin often referred to his initial seasons as “year one post-sanctions,” emphasizing the profound limitations placed on scholarships and roster depth. These sanctions significantly impacted the team’s ability to recruit and build a robust roster, particularly on the offensive line, which ranked 124th and 113th nationally in sacks allowed in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The institution itself had to undergo significant reforms, establishing new policies for child protection and ethics, as detailed in statements from Penn State Administration.
Despite these challenges, Franklin secured top-25 recruiting classes and brought in talents like Saquon Barkley. However, early records of 7-6 seasons led to questions about his job security, with some analysts placing him on the “hot seat” as early as 2016. While these historical challenges explain some initial struggles, the continued offensive inconsistencies years later indicate a deeper, ongoing issue that the program has struggled to overcome, particularly against its most formidable rivals.
The Escalating Economics of the College Football Coaching Carousel
The constant pressure on coaches like Franklin, and the frequent turnover in coaching staff, are inextricably linked to the escalating financial landscape of college football. Coaching changes, whether firings or hirings, often result in immense financial payouts for coaches and subsequent raises for those who stay put, creating a seemingly endless cycle of wealth accumulation within the profession.
For example, following rumors connecting James Franklin to other high-profile jobs like LSU and USC in 2021, Penn State awarded him a 10-year contract extension, significantly increasing his pay and guaranteeing his full compensation regardless of future success or failure. This type of move, often fueled by the “rumor mill,” has become standard practice. Coaches like Eli Drinkwitz, Lane Kiffin, and Mark Stoops have seen their salaries skyrocket, often reaching $9 million or more, without even making a College Football Playoff appearance. As USA TODAY Sports highlights, this phenomenon creates a situation where athletic directors, spending “other people’s money,” are quick to approve large contracts and buyouts to secure talent or prevent their coaches from leaving.
The consequences are staggering: James Franklin’s own contract, a product of this 2021 bidding frenzy, now includes one of the largest buyouts in college football history, alongside others like Jimbo Fisher, who also received a massive contract in 2021 before his eventual firing. This trend ensures that whether a coach stays, moves to a new program, or is fired, they often benefit financially from the constant churn. As South Florida coach Alex Golesh candidly put it, a coach is either being linked to other jobs (and thus a raise), or they are on the hot seat themselves.
The core issue remains: a collegiate system where athletic directors are incentivized to spend freely to achieve success, leading to unprecedented coaching salaries and buyouts. This dynamic ensures that every coaching change, including Mike Yurcich’s departure and the broader scrutiny on James Franklin’s offensive leadership, is not just a strategic football decision, but a financial one with far-reaching implications across the sport.
