James Franklin Named Sporting News Coach Of The Year
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Penn State started the season with two losses in their first four games.
Amid his third season as Penn State head coach, James Franklin was on the "hot seat."
Related: Penn State's James Franklin Wins Big Ten Coach Of The Year
The Nittany Lions did not lose another game and Franklin was named as the Sporting News Coach of the Year on Wednesday.
"There were other deserving candidates, notably Washington's Chris Petersen and Colorado's Mike MacIntyre, but Franklin's efforts stood out a little more," Bill Bender of Sporting News wrote. "Franklin had dubbed this "Year 1" for the program after finally coming out of the NCAA sanctions resulting from the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the end of the Joe Paterno era in Happy Valley."
After nine straight victories, Penn State finished 11-2 winning the Big Ten Championship over Wisconsin and finishing as the No. 5 ranked team in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Related: James Franklin: Penn State Dealing With 'Negative Recruiting'
Penn State will face USC in the Rose Bowl on January 2nd.
