Franklin shuts down USC rumors, plans to stay at Penn State
Penn State head coach James Franklin is ending rumors that he may leave for the head coaching position at USC.
"I have all the plans in the world to be (at Penn State) and be here for a long time," Franklin said Wednesday, according to StateCollege.com's Ben Jones.
With USC at 5-6, current head coach Clay Helton could be fired in the offseason.
Although Franklin hasn't directly expressed interest in the Trojans' job, it was speculated the school was eyeing him as a top candidate.
On Tuesday, Franklin deflected a question asking whether he'd be coaching Penn State next season.
"It's that crazy time of year, I'm focused on Maryland," Franklin told reporters.
Love this exchange earlier on the Big Ten coaches teleconference: pic.twitter.com/2nDLa5UA9m
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 20, 2018
The No. 15 Nittany Lions sit third in the Big Ten with an 8-3 record. The school has gone 44-20 during Franklin's five seasons as head coach.