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The relationship between James Franklin and Penn State keeps getting worse. Each month seems to bring a new reminder that there’s no path back for the former head coach.
Terry Smith isn’t making things any easier.
Smith – a Pennsylvania native and Penn State letterman who served as interim head coach before becoming associate head coach – has been openly critical of how Franklin ran the program. He took over mid-way through the 2025 season after Franklin’s firing, going 3-3 to get the team bowl-eligible before beating Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
But it’s what Smith said about the program under Franklin that’s really caught attention. He made it clear from the start that he wanted to change things he didn’t like, including opening up the passing game. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer (who took over after starter Drew Allar’s season-ending injury) was encouraged to push the ball downfield more often.
Smith brought that up again recently during a radio appearance discussing Allar’s third-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“I think unfairly to Drew, our system wasn’t built for him” Penn State Coach Terry Smith on Allar. @kdpomp @joestarkey1 @austinrbechtold pic.twitter.com/oAqtnQ8gP5
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) April 27, 2026
That’s a direct shot at Franklin’s offensive philosophy – and it’s not the first time Smith has taken aim at his former boss.
Smith Has Made His Feelings Clear
Smith, who’s considered one of the nation’s best cornerbacks coaches, stayed on at Penn State under new head coach Matt Campbell. He’s been pretty open about how his role has changed.
The difference in his responsibilities? Significant.
“My associate role is different and bigger than under James,” Smith said back in February. “Coach Campbell has conversations with me about how he wants to do certain things. And I’ll share my insight to certain things. Ultimately, he has to make that final decision.”
He didn’t stop there. “James would ask me certain things. But it’s different under Matt. Everyone in the building knows that I’m the associate head coach. Under James, that wasn’t clear.”
Yikes.
Franklin doesn’t seem too broken up about Penn State either – the animosity goes both directions. But Smith’s willingness to speak publicly about the program’s issues under Franklin shows just how fractured things became before the split.
