The Standard Shattered: What Really Happened to Penn State in 2025

By: Brad Kulp

© Jake DeLuca / Basic Blues Nation, 2025.

I want to begin by acknowledging that this story will be divisive. As a society—and as sports fans—we are increasingly fractured, our beliefs often entrenched and immovable. Uncomfortable truths tend to provoke emotional responses, and whatever reactions this story generates are part of the responsibility that comes with telling it.

As I was finalizing this report and working to verify a few remaining details, I published an initial announcement on Sunday night, January 16. Shortly thereafter, a second individual connected to the Penn State program reached out, offering additional information and the possibility of corroboration. Given the gravity of the subject matter, I believed the delay was necessary to ensure accuracy. The information presented below has been corroborated by two separate individuals inside the Nittany Lions football program.

Before diving in, however, there is one narrative that must be addressed: the “it doesn’t matter” perspective. For 12 years, the fans and the surrounding community supported this team and its head coach in every conceivable way. The program was provided with every resource it requested—and more. The expectations were not unreasonable; they were the very standards that were stated: a progression from good to great. That transformation never materialized.

It mattered to the players who entrusted the program with their formative years and their careers. It mattered to the fans who showed up, purchased merchandise, and invested financially through NIL contributions. It mattered to local businesses whose livelihoods are tied to sustained interest and success. In 2025, Penn State football experienced its most expensive season when accounting for both players and staff.

Yet that didn’t matter. Why?

The year was 2022.

Penn State’s recruiting class was one of the most highly ranked in the program’s history, finishing No. 7 nationally according to On3’s consensus rankings and No. 6 in Sports Illustrated’s top 25. Headlined by five-star quarterback Drew Allar, the class featured a balanced mix of elite talent across offense and defense. Everything from that class was built to succeed in 2025. Penn State entered the preseason ranked No. 2 nationally with the second-most returning starters in the Power Four. Add in one of the most expensive coaching staffs in college football, and the sky seemed to be the limit.

Then, the tires blew before the plane could really get off the ground. By week six, the Nittany Lions were out of the playoffs, and head coach James Franklin was fired.

There have been rumors, speculation, and second-hand stories about the crumbling of Penn State in 2025. Basic Blues was fortunate enough to speak with two current members of the Nittany Lion program about what happened this past season, and gain real, factual, information for the first time.

These individuals asked to remain anonymous for obvious reasons. This is their perspective on what happened in Happy Valley in 2025. I want to establish that these answers are based on the experiences and opinions of the two individuals with whom we spoke; their feelings and experiences may not reflect those of others within the program. This is their perspective on what happened in Happy Valley in 2025.

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What was your experience with the PSU NIL process, and do you believe it was handled fairly?

From my experience, NIL was not handled fairly. NIL was spread inconsistently across the entire roster, top to bottom, which limited the ability to truly reward production and impact. Time spent in the program often mattered more than performance. That meant guys who had clearly earned opportunities, both on the field and financially, were left waiting while resources were diluted. It created frustration, distrust, and imbalance.

We heard a lot about “effort equaling playing time,” yet many young top recruits never saw the field, even after James Franklin promised publicly, repeatedly, to make changes. What was really going on?

Effort did not always equal playing time. There were plenty of young guys who worked, showed capability, and were ready to contribute. The issue was not effort. It was control. Decisions were less about readiness and more about fitting the head coach’s vision.

When playing time was questioned publicly or internally, it often worked against players instead of helping them. If it wasn’t Franklin taking the initiative on something, it didn’t happen.

How much did this factor into playing time, in your opinion?

Favoritism absolutely played a role. Longevity and loyalty to the program were often valued more than actual effort and production. Some players were given extended leeway, while others had a much shorter leash, regardless of how well they practiced or prepared.

How detrimental do you believe this dynamic was for those who felt they may be missing the playing opportunities they could have seen elsewhere?

It was very detrimental. You only get so many years to play college football. Sitting while being capable of contributing costs you reps, film, confidence, and opportunities at other programs, where you could have played and developed earlier. And he [Coach Franklin] doesn’t tell guys the truth about the investments or plans he makes with other players in the same group, causing a “gray” area and confusion.

How much of the offensive struggles would you attribute to Franklin or Andy Kotelnicki, and why?

A lot of it traces back to the top. Regardless of scheme, culture and accountability are set by the head coach. Franklin spoke to his staff in disgusting ways, often belittling and micromanaging them. Talked to some of his staff like little kids—worse than his players. He was often verbally abusive.

Some coaches on the staff began to grow weary of Franklin, from some coordinators all the way down to the medical trainers. When decision-making is driven by ego and control instead of production and readiness, it affects execution. Coaches can design plays, but if the culture is off, it shows on the field.

It has been rumored that some inside the program had “checked out” after the initial setbacks early in the season. Is there truth to that?

There is truth to that. Standards slipped. Things that were never acceptable before started being allowed. Certain players were given freedom without accountability, and that spreads quickly.

Once complacency sets in, it bleeds into every area of the program. Micromanagement in the wrong places, while being checked out in others, didn’t work. That is what led to things unraveling early.

What have been your favorite things about your time so far at Penn State?

The facilities, the fan base, and the brand are special. The brotherhood amongst the players is real, especially among those who have worked and pushed each other daily.

How did the team react when coach Terry Smith took over? Was there an internal culture change?

The best time to be a Penn State player was when Coach Terry took over and implemented his new way of doing things. He cut out unnecessary periods in practice, cut the time of practice significantly, and seemed to care much more about the players’ opinions.

It was very obvious Terry didn’t agree with or wasn’t on the same page as Franklin as far as the way he did and ran things. And you could tell from the immediate change when Terry took over. Guys loved and yearned for it to be the new way of doing things—part of why the support behind Terry was so strong.

How has it been so far with new coach Matt Campbell—the culture, communication, and team feeling?

It has been refreshing for me personally, and from what I’m hearing [around the program]. Communication is clear. Expectations are straightforward. The culture values honesty, accountability, and opportunity. You know where you stand and what is expected to earn your role as a player.

Were you aware of any instances of James Franklin, once hired at Virginia Tech, reaching out to players and staff to try to get them to leave?

Everyone knew.

A couple of days to a week after getting fired, Coach Franklin held a discreet meeting at his home with some current players on the team—young leaders. It was about 8-15 guys that attended this meeting at his home. He told them he “needs them to follow him.” He held another same-style meeting at his home again, but with some of the PSU staff. Told them the same thing. And some left with him to VT.

That Thanksgiving photo Franklin took at VT with all the ex-PSU staff members? That was most of his immediate staff he had met with during the season, and had those conversations with at his home.

Adversely, some of those coaches and staff were acting on Franklin’s behalf after he had accepted the VT head coaching job, doing their best to get players to follow.

What do you want people to know about 2025 Penn State from the inside that is getting missed?

From the inside, talent was never the issue. There were players ready to contribute who never even got the chance. The disconnect was between opportunity and performance. When control outweighs development, players suffer. That part of the story often gets overlooked.

And also, this is important: The narrative about Coach Campbell and this player “retainment” needs to be cleared. This narrative needs to change. I can 100% guarantee that not a single player that left was pushed out or told to leave. The first thing Coach Campbell said when he met with the current roster at the time was, “The door is open if you want to come back.”

When Coach Campbell came on, he welcomed everybody on the roster an opportunity to come back, even placing two walk-ons on scholarship. Every player that left, left on their own accord for the betterment of their own future. No one was asked to leave or was run out. Coach Campbell believed Penn State already had most of the talent it needed; it just needed the correct coaching/structure. Kicking guys out was not his interest.

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Many of us have no idea of the challenges taking place behind the curtain at a major football program, and how those challenges can impact individual career trajectories. Leadership matters. Coaching and culture matter. It seems evident that once the cracks in the foundation began to appear in 2025, all the talent in the nation couldn’t save the Nittany Lions from imploding.

The 2025 season is officially over. Penn State football is now in a fantastic position with a strong culture, a clear path, and a desire to be on top. There are many people working hard to get the Nittany Lions back on track for years to come.

The plane is being rebuilt, stronger than ever. And learning from mistakes is the best way to grow. As an individual, as a program, and as fans.

The sky is the limit. THIS time, let’s get there.

We Are.