Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin has truly helped the program do a full 180 turn since his hiring in the 2014 season, with a 101-42 record and the 2016 Big 10 Championship.
But one thing that has evaded the coach is that illustrious national championship, something that Penn State hasn't accomplished since 1986.
However, that hasn't stopped Franklin from receiving individual credit for his coaching, and this season could see the coach add another accolade to his case.
Monay afternoon, Franklin was announced as a preseason nominee for the Dodd Trophy, presented to the top head coach in college football.
Franklin was one of 26 coaches named to the watch list, which is named after legendary Georgia Tech coach and athletic director Bobby Dodd, the award's 50th year of presentation.
After winning a school-record 13 games in 2024, Franklin and the Nittany Lions easily found themselves in the College Football Playoff, defeating SMU and Boise State in the first two rounds before falling to Notre Dame in the semifinals, who would go on to fall to Ohio State in the national championship.
Jim Terry, the chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation, spoke on the award's importance.
"As we enter our 50th anniversary season, we're looking for exceptional candidates to join the storied fraternity of coaching greats who have previously won the Dodd Trophy. Over the last half century, the award has always stood for more than just wins on the field but also focuses on how coaches should embody leadership with their student-athletes in the classroom and throughout their communities."
Franklin is one of five Big 10 coaches on the list, along with Ryan Day of Ohio State, Dan Lanning of Oregon, Bret Bielema of Illinois, and Curt Cignetti of Indiana.