James Franklin Says 'I Love Penn State' Amid FSU Head Coach Speculation

Penn State head coach James Franklin is happy in Happy Valley.

"I'm hoping this thing is going to be over very quick, but, like I told you, I love Penn State," Franklin told reporters in regard to rumors he is a candidate for Florida State's head coaching vacancy. "I love our players. I don't see that changing anytime soon."

The No. 10 Nittany Lions defeated Rutgers 27-6 on Saturday to finish the season 10-2.

247Sports' Brendan Sonnone reported Tuesday that Franklin is Florida State's "top candidate" to replace Willie Taggart, who was fired Nov. 3.

Sonnone also reported "mutual interest" between Franklin and Florida State on FM 96.9 The Game and added that Franklin's representatives reached out to FSU before the university hired Taggart ahead of the 2018 season.

It's tough to see why Franklin would want to leave Penn State.

Penn State hired Franklin in January 2014. Since then, the Nittany Lions have gone 55-23 and appeared in a bowl game each year.

Franklin's signature victory came when Penn State beat Washington in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, but he has led the program to two New Year's Six bowl appearances and narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff in 2016.

The Nittany Lions are expected to play on New Year's Day again this season. They were firmly in the conversation for the CFP until they lost 31-26 to No. 8 Minnesota on Nov. 9. Penn State's only other loss came against No. 1 Ohio State last weekend.

Franklin has a track record of building programs. Penn State hired him away from Vanderbilt after he had led the Commodores to three straight bowl games and a 24-15 record from 2011-13.

Sonnone also told FM 96.9 The Game that Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell "makes the most sense" for Florida State. On Nov. 23, SportsLine listed Campbell as the odds-on favorite for the job at +200 with Franklin fifth at +1200.