Patrick Kraft, the Athletic Director of the University of Pennsylvania, has made waves recently with a candid and controversial statement about former Penn football coach James Franklin. Kraft, known for his straightforward approach and commitment to rebuilding the school’s athletic programs, publicly admitted his regret over signing Franklin to lead the Penn football team. In a rare moment of transparency, Kraft confessed that he had been misled by Franklin’s promises of loyalty and commitment, only to feel betrayed by the coach’s greed-driven decisions that ultimately hurt the program’s integrity.
Kraft’s words were sharp, calling Franklin’s obsession with money a primary factor in his decision to leave Penn for a higher-paying job at Penn State. “I regret ever signing him,” Kraft stated, his voice dripping with frustration. “He might claim to love Penn, but it’s clear that his real love is for the paycheck. Loyalty meant nothing to him; it was all about getting the biggest offer and running with it.” The AD’s critique didn’t stop there, as he explained that Franklin’s departure didn’t just harm the football program, but also undermined the sense of community and loyalty within the school’s athletic department.
Franklin, who had been with Penn for several years, initially presented himself as a coach dedicated to growing the Quakers into a competitive force in college football. He was charming in interviews, and his infectious energy seemed to resonate with both players and staff alike. Kraft had believed in Franklin’s vision for the team, investing significant resources into building up the football program with the hope that the coach would be the key to turning the team around and boosting the university’s athletic profile.
However, Kraft now sees the relationship in a very different light. His disillusionment stems from Franklin’s departure to Penn State, a move that many saw as inevitable due to the higher salary and prestige of the Big Ten program. For Kraft, though, the timing was especially galling. “We gave him everything, and in the end, he walked out without a second thought. All that talk about family and loyalty was just empty words,” he said, his words striking a chord with many in the Penn athletic community who had also felt the sting of Franklin’s decision to leave when a bigger opportunity arose.
Critics of Franklin’s decision argue that his move to Penn State represented a broader issue in college athletics: the increasing commercialization of the sport. Coaches are often lured away by bigger contracts and more lucrative deals, leaving behind programs that were foundational to their early success. For Franklin, the move to Penn State was a clear opportunity to step into a higher-profile position with more resources, but it also left Penn with a void that was difficult to fill.
Kraft’s honesty about the situation may have shocked some, but it also reveals a deeper issue in college sports — the tension between loyalty and financial incentives. Athletic directors are often placed in the unenviable position of having to make decisions that balance both aspects, but in this case, Kraft feels he was taken advantage of by Franklin’s personal ambition.
The controversy is far from over. Some Penn supporters have praised Kraft for his blunt assessment, while others argue that he should have handled the situation privately. Regardless, Kraft’s comments have sparked a larger conversation about loyalty, money, and the future of college athletics, a world where financial rewards sometimes outweigh the values of tradition and allegiance.
Ultimately, Kraft’s regret serves as a cautionary tale for both coaches and athletic directors. It’s a stark reminder that in the high-stakes world of college sports, personal relationships and loyalty often take a back seat to the pursuit of money and success. And for James Franklin, it is now clear that his time at Penn will forever be marked by a sense of betrayal — not just from Kraft, but from those who believed in him.
